Infertility is indeed common, and there is nothing to feel embarrassed about.
In fact, because of its increasing prevalence, it’s crucial to discuss infertility problems and increase a couple’s ability to carry a pregnancy. Nowadays, fertility treatments such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) aid childless couples experience the joy of parenthood.
Taking into account the existing knowledge, one should be aware of when it is right to consider IVF. So, let us understand IVF in brief, when is the right time to go for IVF, benefits and more.
What Exactly is IVF?
IVF is a fertility treatment where eggs are retrieved from a woman’s ovaries. This egg goes to the lab for fertilization along with the sperm, and when they start to grow, the embryos are kept back into the woman’s uterus. These embryos develop for 3-5 days before one or more get placed into the uterus.
Doctors can sometimes freeze embryos to use them later. Doctors can only advise you on which procedure to use based on the patient’s age and other factors.
Aside from that, each woman’s experience is unique. Many couples nowadays seek the assistance of a doctor in order to start a family. IVF is regarded as one of the most advanced fertility treatments available to women.
Who May Need to Undergo IVF Treatment?
Couples experiencing infertility may need to undergo intrauterine insemination or ovulation induction if suggested by their fertility doctor. In many situations, your doctor will treat infertility with surgery either for you or your spouse, as required. When every other infertility treatment fails, IVF is your go-to fertility option.
Women having infertility indicators such as age-related infertility, unexplained infertility, fallopian tube damage, endometriosis and more should connect with their fertility specialist and know if IVF is the best alternative or not. Couples with male factor infertility can also find IVF beneficial for them.
Some couples may use donor eggs or sperm to conceive. The couple who is at risk of transmitting a critical genetic disorder to their baby may be advised to use donor eggs or sperm by their doctor.
Cancer patients may request that their healthy eggs or sperm be frozen, as chemotherapy and radiotherapy can impair fertility. Once the cancer treatment is completed, these eggs or sperm can be thawed and used in IVF.
When Should You Consider IVF?
With rising awareness, a growing number of couples have considered seeking medical assistance to become pregnant. Through IVF, couples who cannot conceive are coming a step closer to parenting. In procedures such as IVF, timely intervention aids in reducing the risk of miscarriage, chromosomal abnormalities, birth defects and improving the likelihood of getting pregnant.
Before you decide to go for an IVF, you should know that an IVF works better when you are young. The success rate of IVF starts diminishing after the mid-thirties. Moreover, birth defects and miscarriages also increase in women undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) for infertility.
Here’s when IVF is your go-to option:
#1- Poor Semen Parameters
Men with azoospermia, i.e., no sperms in sperm sample or a low sperm count of less than 5 million, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm shape, should undergo IVF/ICSI as soon as possible.
#2- Blocked Fallopian Tubes
The fallopian tubes’ function is to collect the egg after ovulation and transport it to the mid tube, where sperm reproduces the egg and transfers the fertilized egg to the uterus. If the tubes become infected, dilated, or painful, the egg’s pick-up function is impeded. The chances of ectopic pregnancy in the tube increase as well. If the tubes are seriously damaged or blocked, it is best to proceed with IVF right away.
#3- Unexplained Infertility
When finding out the cause of infertility, couples are required to undergo infertility tests, tubal patency tests and semen analysis. If the test results are normal and a couple fails to conceive even after trying naturally or through intrauterine insemination cycles, then moving on to IVF is the best way out.
#4- Low AMH or Poor Egg Reserve
Couples planning to conceive using IVF should keep in mind that younger women with low AHM have better chances than women in the advanced age group. So, even if you are a young woman with low AMH or poor egg reserve, do not wait anymore and consider going for an IVF for a successful pregnancy.
#5- You’re a Woman with Endometriosis
You can discuss IVF treatment as an option with your fertility specialist if you have grade 1 or 2 endometriosis with compromised low ovarian reserve or fallopian tube. But if you have grade 3 or 4 endometriosis, do not waste your time waiting and move on to an IVF directly.
Benefits of IVF:
After examining some cases, a fertility specialist may suggest you go for IVF. You should not waste your money and time on treatments that may not work. Here are the benefits of IVF:
#1- You Can Choose the Time You Wish to Get Pregnant
Wish to focus on your career right now? Not ready for a baby? No worries. Your fertility specialist can store your embryos or eggs for future usage. So, you can choose the right time of getting pregnant.
#2- Boosts Your Chance of Healthy Baby
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is a modern technology ensuring the baby’s health. During IVF, it is tested to see if it is connected to medical conditions such as sickle cell anaemia, Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, and Tay Sachs disease. Various tests are performed to determine whether the genetic conditions are linked to the father, mother, or family.
#3- Donated Eggs
Couples can utilize the eggs in a variety of situations, and the doctors may advise them to do so. The embryo can be fertilised in a laboratory in such cases. After the first or second attempt, IVF treatment significantly raises your odds of becoming pregnant.
#4- Higher Success Rate
IVF with genetic screening is undoubtedly the best approach that increases your odds of a healthy pregnancy. The success rate of IVF is way better than many other fertility treatments. IVF works wonders for couples who wish to enjoy the joy of parenting but cannot conceive.
#5- Reduces the Risk of Miscarriage
Generally, miscarriage is caused due to genetic abnormality because it forces the female body to discontinue the pregnancy. During IVF, the couple undergoes preimplantation genetic testing so the mother can carry a healthy baby.
When Should You Go for an IVF Directly?
- When the likelihood of getting pregnant with IUI is low but is higher with IVF, the patient should go for an IVF right away.
- You should also consider going for an IVF if you have damaged fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, pelvic adhesions and severe endometriosis.
- Women who have a short time to get pregnant because of age or decreased ovarian reserve and are able to afford IVF, PGT if needed and donor egg or gestational carrier if required.
- Whether you need IUI or IVF should be decided by your fertility specialist. You must consult a renowned fertility specialist like Dr Manish Banker, having 30+ years of experience. Dr Banker and his team at Banker IVF will suggest the best possible treatments based on your diagnosis.
Making a decision to choose if you should pursue fertility treatment or not, and if yes, which treatments to pursue, can be difficult and complex. However, there is no deeper pleasure than investing your time & expense in trying to have a baby.