From the practical point of view, IVF is a relatively demanding procedure.
In short, this treatment consists of the following steps :
1. Preliminary investigations :
-
Hormonal
screening of the woman;
-
UItrasound
examination of the ovaries;
-
Hysterosalpingography
(special IC-Ray of the uterus and the tubes);
-
Spermogram
of the partner (quantitative microscopic
examination of sperm).
2. Treatment :
-
Suppression
of the natural secretion of certain hormones by a drug administered
through nasal spray or intramuscular
injection;
-
Regular
blood and ultrasound assessment of ovarian activity, starting at
day 5 of the menstrual cycle;
-
Retrieval
of the oocytes;
-
Sperm
collection and preparation (= capacitation);
-
In
vitro insemination or injection of oocytes by treated sperm;
-
Incubation
of eggs, allowing
embryonic development;
-
Replacement
of embryos in the womb.
3. Post hospitalization period :
-
"Luteal" supplementation: intramuscular injection of hormones
aimed at favouring implantation of the embryo and at maintaining pregnancy;
-
Blood
controls in order to diagnose pregnancy and to detect
a possible hormonal deficiency.
