Infertility is one of the haunting problems that can befall any couple who wishes to have a child. Fortunately, there are now ways for infertility to be addressed, thanks to the constant advancement of science. And one of the fertility treatments that have been in use in developed countries, in vitro fertilization or IVF, is now locally available for Filipino couples who wish to conceive when natural means is not an option anymore. But what is IVF pregnancy?
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What is IVF pregnancy meaning?
Ivf pregnancy meaning: In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a fertility treatment that literally means fertilization done outside the body. Where an egg is extracted from a woman’s ovaries and injected with a man’s sperm.
IVF procedure: How does in vitro fertilization work?
The IVF procedure or process of in vitro fertilization could last for weeks, depending on the rate of laboratory success. Upon the initial evaluation done by a fertility specialist. First, a doctor will prescribe fertility drugs to a woman who wishes to have an IVF procedure. These fertility drugs will help her ovaries produce more mature eggs (naturally, only one egg is produced during ovulation).
IVF process or IVF treatment
When the ovary is ripe with eggs, these are ‘harvested’ and injected with the man’s sperm, after which, the eggs are preserved in a controlled environment until (crossing fingers) fertilization occurs.
If successful, the fertilized egg (or eggs) is injected back into the woman’s uterus through an outpatient surgery procedure. When the egg attaches itself to the uterus‘ lining means the bun is successfully in the oven!
IVF treatment
To give you more idea about IVF treatment or the IVF process, here are the step-by-step IVF procedure according to Medline Plus:
1. Stimulation
This procedure is also called superovulation. First, fertility drugs are given to the woman to help her boost egg production. Next, the woman will have transvaginal ultrasounds that will examine her ovaries.
In addition, the doctor will also run blood tests to check the hormone levels. Usually, a woman produces one egg per month but the medications allow the ovaries to produce more than one egg.
2. Egg retrieval
A follicular aspiration will be done. It is a minor surgery done to remove the eggs from the woman’s body. Furthermore, in this procedure, a thin needle connected to a suction device will be inserted through the vagina into the ovary and follicles that contain the eggs. And then, the device will pull the eggs and fluid out of follicles. It is done with the use of ultrasound images as a guide.
3. Insemination and Fertilization
The best quality eggs will be chosen and placed together with the man’s sperm. Insemination or the mixing of egg and sperm will be done at this stage.
Moreover, the mixed sperm and eggs are then stored in an environmentally controlled chamber. Usually, it takes a few hours for the sperm to fertilize the egg.
An intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) will be done if the chance of fertilization is low. In ICSI, the sperm is directly injected into the egg.
4. Embryo culture
After fertilization, the egg divides and becomes an embryo. Regular checks on the embryo will be done to observe if the embryo is growing properly. Within 5 days it is expected to grow several cells and divide actively.
If the couple has a high risk of passing a genetic disorder to a child, they may need to consider pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). The said procedure is usually done 3 to 5 days after fertilization.
How is it done? A single cell or cells will be removed from each embryo and will be screened for specific genetic disorders.
5. Embryo transfer
3-5 days after the egg retrieval and fertilization, embryos will be ready to be placed into the woman’s womb. It is done by inserting a thin tube called a catheter that contains the embryos into the woman’s vagina, through the cervix, and up into the uterus. Once an embryo implants in the lining of the uterus and grows then pregnancy will take place.
Multiple pregnancies happen when more than one embryo placed into the womb and grows at the same time. This may result in having a twin or triplets.
What are the risks of in vitro fertilization or IVF?
Like any artificially treated fertility, in vitro fertilization may pose risks to both the mother and the baby. By taking fertility drugs, the probability of multiple births is highly possible.
This can actually be good news for those who want more than one baby in a single go! But having multiple births may also result in premature or low birth weight, sometimes even birth defects for the baby.
Ectopic pregnancy is also a complication that could happen. When doing in vitro fertilization, make sure to enlist the services of highly trained medical professionals and specialists to avoid any high-risk complications that can put you or your baby’s health at risk.
IVF cost: How much is IVF in the Philippines?
Wondering how much is IVF in the Philippines? How much is the IVF price in the Philippines?
For couples who wish to try this assisted fertility treatment, be ready to shell out a fortune as in vitro fertilization doesn’t come cheap. In St. Luke’s Medical Center-BGC’s Center for Advanced Reproductive Medicine and Infertility (CARMI), the cost for in vitro fertilization ranges from Php 250,000 to Php 300,000.
This should be enough to cover consultation, fertility medication, lab work, and professional fees.
IVF cost in the Philippines: Are there cheaper options for in vitro fertilization?
ivf price Philippines
Yes, there are other alternative fertility treatments that may be more affordable than in vitro fertilization. One is artificial insemination or intrauterine insemination (IUI). Where sperm is directly injected into the woman’s uterus, fallopian tubes, or cervix. This treatment is available in most hospitals and fertility centers and is considerably more affordable than in vitro fertilization.
Infertility is left to be discussed only in hushed tones, swept under the rug, or simply ignored in a ‘macho’ society like ours that doesn’t tolerate these kinds of issues lightly, mainly due to lack of information. But with the help of science, treatments like in vitro fertilization have proven to be a miracle worker for couples to achieve their dream of bearing and having their own child.
Additional information from Jobelle Macayan
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