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IVF 101:A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO FERTILITY TREATMENT
- January 06, 2024
Medical Practitioner
Dr Sabiha Anjum,
MBBS,DGO,FRM,(MRCOG UK)
Consultant Fertility and women’s health Specialist,
Raya healthcare,
E city
Dr Sabiha Anjum,
MBBS,DGO,FRM,(MRCOG UK)
Consultant Fertility and women’s health Specialist,
Raya healthcare,
E city
Fertility treatment can be overwhelming if you don’t know what’s going on and what to expect.So,here’s a mini guide to help you what the course of treatment entails from the first visit to the fertility center.
1. The Evaluation:
On your first visit a Detailed History will be taken of both the partners to find out if there is any reason hereditary or in the past that could be leading to anything related to fertility.
So, make sure to inform your doctor if you had any family history or any surgeries or health issues that you had in the past.It is also very important to inform if there are any genetic disorders that run in the family.
That is followed by Blood investigations to rule out any hormonal issues,viral infections,diabetes or thyroid disorders that could hamper the fertility in either partner.
A semen analysis for the male and an ultrasound scan for the female partner are mandatory for a proper understanding and to plan a proper plan of action.
On your first visit a Detailed History will be taken of both the partners to find out if there is any reason hereditary or in the past that could be leading to anything related to fertility.
So, make sure to inform your doctor if you had any family history or any surgeries or health issues that you had in the past.It is also very important to inform if there are any genetic disorders that run in the family.
That is followed by Blood investigations to rule out any hormonal issues,viral infections,diabetes or thyroid disorders that could hamper the fertility in either partner.
A semen analysis for the male and an ultrasound scan for the female partner are mandatory for a proper understanding and to plan a proper plan of action.
2. The Plan:
The investigations will help the doctor in identifying what could be the reason for the fertility issues.Could be POR,PCOS,Uterine disorders or even UNEXPLAINED infertility. Depending on the underlying issue a plan of treatment will be advised.
So, you may be asked to try naturally tracking the ovulation or IUI or IVF can be advised.
The investigations will help the doctor in identifying what could be the reason for the fertility issues.Could be POR,PCOS,Uterine disorders or even UNEXPLAINED infertility. Depending on the underlying issue a plan of treatment will be advised.
So, you may be asked to try naturally tracking the ovulation or IUI or IVF can be advised.
3. What to expect and how long the treatment will continue:
Incase of Natural tracking,you will be called in on multiple days of the menstrual cycle to see if the egg is growing naturally and if it is,you will be asked to have a timed intercourse. A maximum of 6 cycles can be tried (again depends on multiple factors).
The doctor might ask you to get a HSG to see if the Fallopian tubes are patent or not.
And IUI will be planned only if they are patented. If 3 cycles of IUI have failed then you can go for IVF,as subsequent IUI won’t have much of a success.
IVF,takes average of 10 days of injections in the first half of cycle and then after embryos are formed a break cycle is usually given before Frozen embryo transfer is attempted.(Each cycle is nothing but one menstrual cycle)
Incase of Natural tracking,you will be called in on multiple days of the menstrual cycle to see if the egg is growing naturally and if it is,you will be asked to have a timed intercourse. A maximum of 6 cycles can be tried (again depends on multiple factors).
The doctor might ask you to get a HSG to see if the Fallopian tubes are patent or not.
And IUI will be planned only if they are patented. If 3 cycles of IUI have failed then you can go for IVF,as subsequent IUI won’t have much of a success.
IVF,takes average of 10 days of injections in the first half of cycle and then after embryos are formed a break cycle is usually given before Frozen embryo transfer is attempted.(Each cycle is nothing but one menstrual cycle)
4. What can you do ?
Stick to the plan.
Take informed decisions. When a certain diagnosis is made,read about it and understand your journey. If you plan for a certain treatment see it through. Try to keep stress at bay. Exercise regularly , eat nutritious food and avoid junk.
Fertility journey could be exhausting and there could be certain disappointments on the way,so mentally you have to be prepared for the outcomes.
Both partners should be on the same page and there should be co operation between the couple. There could be multiple reasons for the fertility issues but there are also multiple ways to treat them.But for them to work out you need lots of Patience.
Stick to the plan.
Take informed decisions. When a certain diagnosis is made,read about it and understand your journey. If you plan for a certain treatment see it through. Try to keep stress at bay. Exercise regularly , eat nutritious food and avoid junk.
Fertility journey could be exhausting and there could be certain disappointments on the way,so mentally you have to be prepared for the outcomes.
Both partners should be on the same page and there should be co operation between the couple. There could be multiple reasons for the fertility issues but there are also multiple ways to treat them.But for them to work out you need lots of Patience.
