IVF Success Rate in India

What Factors Impact the Success of IVF?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), is a complex procedure that involves several steps. The success of this procedure depends on several factors, including the timing of the procedure and how intricately the doctor performs it. The most common factors impacting the success of IVF treatment include the following: 

• The woman’s age: The success of IVF is highly dependent on the woman’s age. Women who’re between 24 to 34 years of age will most likely have a successful IVF procedure, as they are the most fertile at this age. The success rate of the procedure begins to drop as the woman crosses 40 years of age. But, age may not necessarily impact a person’s chance to conceive through IVF. She can always try to go for IVF even if she’s above 40.
• History of a successful pregnancy: If the patient has had a baby before, it means that she might have a better chance of having a baby through IVF. However, if the patient has faced problems getting pregnant or lost pregnancies with a new partner, IVF might be more challenging. But it is important not to give up hope completely.
• Type of fertility issues: Some fertility problems can make IVF less likely to work, such as fibroid tumors, problems with the uterus, both partners having fertility issues, problems with the ovaries, and how long you’ve been trying to get pregnant (the longer you wait, the harder it might be). IVF can still help with many of these problems, though.
• Quality of eggs and embryos: How good the patient’s eggs and embryos are depends on things like her age, how many eggs you have, the medicines you take, and how good the sperm is. The better the quality of eggs and embryos, the more likely IVF will work.
• Quality of sperm: Most problems with embryos are because of problems with the eggs, but sperm quality matters too. If the man has fertility problems, he can consult with the doctor to seek ways to improve his fertility.
• Using someone else’s eggs (donor eggs): If there are issues with the patient’s eggs and donor eggs are used, they pay significantly to improve the chances of conception through IVF.
• Taking prescribed medicines on time: The patient will need the right medicines at the right time to help their body produce more healthy eggs. Different plans work for different people, and the doctors help  figure out the best plan for them.
• Making Sure the uterus is ready: The uterus needs to be ready for the embryo it is crucial for ensuring a pregnancy happens. Things like how thick the lining of the uterus is and how the uterus is shaped can affect this.
• Lifestyle of the patient: Being healthy is really important. The patient must stop smoking and drinking alcohol at least three months before starting IVF because these can make it harder to have a baby. Being a healthy weight also helps – being too heavy or too thin can make IVF less likely to work. But, it should be noted that making some healthy changes in lifestyle habits can significantly improve the chances of a successful IVF procedure.

IVF Success Rate by Number Of Embryos

Out of the several factors that can impact the success of IVF, the number and quality of embryos is a significant one. A leading cause of failure of IVF is the quality of embryos used in the process. It is important for the success of IVF that the doctor only uses high-quality and viable embryos. A thorough assessment of the embryos that are seemingly viable on the outside is done to ensure they give out the best outcomes. 

When it comes to the number of embryos used in the IVF process, it is advisable that doctors should only transfer one healthy embryo to the woman’s womb, which they are certain would give positive outcomes. Several times, the use of multiple embryos is stressed and linked with increased chances of successful pregnancy. But, it is generally not advisable as transferring multiple embryos also raises the chances of multiple pregnancies, which also causes an increase in risk factors for the baby. When it comes to success rate, it is more or less the same in both the cases.

How Does IVF (In-Vitro Fertilization) Work?

The IVF procedure is a multi-step and complex ART procedure that requires precision. The steps involved in the IVF procedure are typically the same across cycles, but some variations can occur depending on the case’s specifics. The duration might also differ depending on the requirement of the case. Let us discuss the various steps involved in the IVF process: 

Step 1: Hormone Regulation

The IVF process begins with hormonal regulation through birth control pills or estrogen administration. These medications regulate the menstrual cycle of the woman and prevent ovarian cyst growth. The goal of hormonal regulation in IVF is to enhance control over treatment and optimize egg retrieval. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone may be combined in some cases.

Step 2: Ovarian Stimulation

Hormone injections are administered to stimulate the maturation of a group of eggs instead of just one, as in a natural cycle. Regular monitoring through ultrasounds and hormone tests study ovarian response. A trigger shot is given when eggs are ready, 36 hours before egg retrieval.

Step 3: Egg Retrieval

Under mild sedation, a thin needle guided by ultrasound is used to collect eggs from ovarian follicles. This minimally invasive procedure ensures multiple eggs are obtained.

Step 4: Sperm Collection

At the same time as the egg retrieval procedure, sperm is collected from the male partner or a donor. The sperm is carefully washed to select the healthiest and most viable ones for fertilization.

Step 5: Fertilization

Eggs and sperm are combined in an incubator for fertilization. In some cases, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is used, where a single sperm is injected into a mature egg.

Step 6: Embryo Development

Embryos are monitored for 5-6 days after fertilization. The most viable embryos progress to the blastocyst stage, which is optimal for transfer. Suitable embryos are cryopreserved for future use.

Step 7: Embryo Transfer

This crucial step involves placing a developed embryo into the uterine wall for implantation. The procedure is quick and precise, requiring the woman to lie down during and after to ensure successful embryo implantation.

Step 8: Pregnancy Test

Approximately 9 to 14 days post-embryo transfer, a blood test confirms pregnancy. Positive results lead to guidance on prenatal care, while negative results might hint toward consideration of another IVF cycle.

IVF is a complex journey that requires medical expertise, personalized attention, and patience. The intricacy used in each step contributes to the potential success of achieving a healthy pregnancy.