| By :
Elijah James
In vitro fertilization is one of the more popular methods of conception for women who are unable to conceive via natural means. It is a process that is elegant in its simplicity, and the success rate of IVF is actually fairly high. You may find that IVF is the solution for you if you are unable to conceive naturally, and it is important that you understand the IVF procedures. IVF Procedures: The first step consists of stimulating follicle growth using fertility medications. These medications help your egg to ripen at the proper time, as well as to grow at the proper rates. They also help a number of eggs to grow rather than the single egg that your body produces every month. More than one egg is grown to ensure that there are a number of chances for the IVF procedure to actually work, as there are a few backup eggs in case the primary egg doesn't fertilize properly. Ultrasounds, urine samples, and blood samples are all used to help track the development of the eggs until they reach maturity, which will take between 8 and 12 days. Human chorionic gonadotropin is injected once the follicles have reached maturity, as the injections help the eggs to mature. Once 36 hours have passed since the HCG was injected, the eggs are harvested. The surgery to collect the eggs utilizes a hollow needle that is injected through the pelvic cavity and into the womb. The needle is guided by ultrasound in order to ensure there are no complications with the insertion, and an anesthesia is applied to reduce any pain. There is a risk of cramping once the procedure is done, but the cramps should wear off within 24 hours. The third step of the IVF process requires the harvested eggs to be placed in a particular fluid that encourages the eggs to be fertilized with the sperm that is added to the solution. The sperm will have been prepared before being injected, and will be combined to inseminate the egg. If fertilization is low, the sperm will be injected directly into the egg to ensure that the egg is properly fertilized. The eggs are examined to see if they are properly fertilized, and the embryos are placed in an incubator that helps to encourage the proper cell division and healthy growth. The embryos are allowed to sit for 1 to 6 days, and are usually implanted into the woman's womb on the third day. The egg should have divided into an embryo with 4 to 8 cells, making it ready to attach to the uterine wall in order to grow into an infant. The extra eggs can be frozen in order to have backup embryos in case the pregnancy fails for that cycle, they can be discarded, or they can be donated to another couple that is suffering from infertility. To insert the embryos, all that is required is a simple catheter that is inserted through your cervix and into your uterus. The embryos are deposited inside the uterus, where they will grow into a healthy infant.
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