Top Facts You Should Know About IVF Treatments

1. Success rates

IVF has a success rate of 50% in young women the rate drops with age over 35 and is only 20% when women is over 40years. Success depends on a number of factors such as the cause of infertility, age and lifestyle.

2. At what age must one contact a fertility specialist

One must contact a fertility specialist if you are 35 years and above and have not conceived in 6 months. Or if under 35 and have not conceived since one year.

3. IVF is costly

It cost about 1900 dollars or 1,20,000 rs. This includes medicines and procedures.

4. IVF takes many weeks and many visits

Now the short regime which includes an antagonist starts on day 2 of the cycle and continues for 2 weeks So total duration is about 15-16 days. The woman is seen on day 2 and injections started subsequent to 4 days of injection she is seen and ultrasound done Then she gives two more visits before the egg pickup So a total of 3 visits before egg pickup.

5. How many times should IVF be tried

What must be understood is that the treatment has a success rate of 50% lesser in older women. One must come prepared that if one cycle fails the second cycle must be done as we are looking at a failure rate of 50%. In order to do justice to the treatment considering laws of probability at least 3 attempts must be given

6. Is pregnancy assured once embryos have been transferred into the uterus?

Even if embryos have formed and have been put it is not necessary that pregnancy will result in all cases as they may not implant in the uterus. Science has not advanced to a stage where we can ensure implantation and that is why IVF has a failure rate. Good embryos however mean that we have been success with what is in our hands.

7. IVF is emotionally and physically difficult

IVF treatment requires intensive monitoring and injections daily and sometimes twice a day. Most women need immense emotional support from there partners and counseling from medical personnel. It is important that besides going to an independent counselor the treating specialist spends some time going over all her doubts

8. Can IVF have adverse effects?

IVF is a simple procedures. Hormone injections given may have side effects like bloating, nausea, vomiting in some women. There is one condition where the ovaries hyper respond to the drugs known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. There is shift of fluids to third space causing a collection in the abdomen and lungs. It is a life threatening complication but occurs rarely in 1% women.

9. Is egg retrieval done under General anesthesia?

It can be done under both local and general anesthesia.  However, mostly general anesthesia is given. It is retrieved by a needle passed through the vagina under ultrasound guidance

10. What are the factors which play a role in results of IVF

The age of the women – if above 35 results are not as good as in younger women. Conditions such as endometriosis, tuberculosis, severe male facor poor ovarian reserve will decrease success rates. Multiple causes like male factor combined with endometriosis would have poor success

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