IVF Overview and Definition

Learn the basics of IVF, fertility concepts, and assisted reproduction definitions explained clearly.

IVF offers hope for couples facing infertility. Learn about the diagnosis, advanced techniques like ICSI and PGT, and the step-by-step treatment process.

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Overview and Definition

What Is IVF?

  • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a set of procedures that help people have children when they face fertility challenges or want to avoid certain genetic conditions. The term “In Vitro” means “in glass,” describing how eggs are collected from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a lab dish. IVF is the most effective type of assisted reproductive technology. The process includes stimulating the ovaries to produce several eggs, collecting them, fertilizing them in the lab (sometimes using advanced methods like ICSI), growing the embryos, and then transferring one or more healthy embryos into the uterus. For many couples, IVF offers hope when natural conception is difficult.
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What Is Infertility?

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  • Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after 12 months of regular, unprotected sex, or after 6 months if the woman is over 35. This medical condition can affect both men and women.
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Medical Center and Expertise

IVF
  • Our Embryology Laboratory uses the latest technology to support embryo development. Careful control of air quality, temperature, and humidity helps embryos grow safely. We use EmbryoScope time-lapse incubators to watch embryos develop without moving them, and we offer Pre-implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to check for genetic issues before transfer.

The Window of Opportunity

Here’s an interesting fact: Women are born with all the eggs they will ever have—about 1 to 2 million—and this number goes down over time. Usually, only one egg matures each month, so the chance to conceive is limited to a specific time in the cycle.

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Understanding Infertility and Emotional Impact

Infertility can be tough both emotionally and physically. Many people feel stress, anxiety, and even depression during this journey. The hormone injections used in IVF may cause bloating, mood changes, and tenderness. Although infertility is a medical issue, it can also affect relationships and self-esteem.

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What Causes Infertility and Who Is at Risk

Who is at risk: Identify primary causes. For women: blocked fallopian tubes, Endometriosis, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), and advanced maternal age (diminished ovarian reserve). For men: low sperm count or poor motility (Male Factor Infertility). Mention that in some cases, the cause is “unexplained,” which IVF can often overcome.

How Fertility Is Evaluated at Liv Hospital

To find out the cause of infertility, doctors use several tests. For women, these include an AMH blood test to check egg supply, an HSG to see if the fallopian tubes are open, and ultrasounds. For men, a semen analysis (Spermiogram) checks sperm health.

The Role of Your Fertility Specialist

Your Reproductive Endocrinologist is both your guide and your medical expert. They create a hormone plan to help you produce as many eggs as possible, while keeping you safe. They watch your progress closely to avoid problems like OHSS and choose the best time for egg retrieval.

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Personalized Fertility Plans

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Every fertility treatment plan is unique. Doctors choose the best protocol—long, short, or antagonist—based on your age and hormone levels. They may also decide to use ICSI (injecting sperm into the egg) or freeze embryos for later, depending on what gives you the best chance of success.

Your Treatment Journey

IVF

The IVF process has several steps: First, ovarian stimulation involves 10 to 12 days of hormone injections. Next is egg retrieval, a short procedure done with sedation. Then, eggs are fertilized and grown in the lab for 3 to 5 days. After that, the embryo is placed in the womb in a painless transfer. Finally, you’ll take medication to support early pregnancy during the luteal phase.

Multidisciplinary Reproductive Board

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A whole team works together during IVF. Besides doctors, there are embryologists who care for the embryos, geneticists who help with genetic testing if needed, and psychologists or counselors who support your mental health during the process.

What Patients Should Know Before Treatment

Before starting treatment, it helps to make some lifestyle changes. Quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol, and keeping a healthy weight can improve egg and sperm quality. Be ready for daily injections and regular clinic visits. Managing stress is also important, since high stress can affect your results.

Your Journey Toward Parenthood

After the embryo transfer, there is a “Two Week Wait” before you can take a blood test (Beta hCG) to see if you are pregnant. This waiting period can be very emotional. If the test is positive, you move on to regular pregnancy care. If not, your doctor will review your cycle and suggest changes for the next try, such as using frozen embryos.

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With patients from across the globe, we bring over three decades of medical expertise and hospitality to every individual who walks through our doors.  

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What defines the success of a fertility cycle?

Success is typically defined by a clinical pregnancy confirmed by heartbeat or a live birth. However, success rates vary significantly based on patient age, the cause of infertility, and the quality of the laboratory.

Most patients report discomfort rather than acute pain. The injections can cause bruising or bloating, and the egg retrieval is performed under sedation to ensure the patient feels no pain during the surgical part of the process.

A standard cycle usually takes about three to four weeks. This includes the time for ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, fertilization, and embryo transfer, though preparation may start weeks earlier with birth control pills.

Yes, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol intake can improve egg and sperm quality. A balanced diet and stress reduction techniques are also recommended to support the body.

Most clinics have an upper age limit for using a patient’s own eggs, typically around 43 to 45 years old, due to declining egg quality. However, treatment with donor eggs can often extend this age limit significantly, depending on the woman’s health.

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