What is IVF? How is the treatment performed? Who is it applied to?

IVF treatment is a treatment application for assisted reproduction. Eggs (oocytes) grown and collected from the woman and sperm cells taken from the man are combined in a laboratory environment to ensure that the egg is fertilized and becomes an embryo. These fertilized eggs, namely embryos, are then placed in the woman’s uterus to try to achieve pregnancy.

How is the treatment performed?

First of all, an evaluation is made with the prospective mother and father before starting the IVF treatment. The couple’s general characteristics, medical history, known diseases, surgery history, hereditary diseases, how long they have wanted a child, and whether there has been any previous treatment (medication, vaccination, etc.) are learned in detail. Later, the woman’s uterus and ovarian reserve are evaluated with a vaginal ultrasonography. If possible, this evaluation should be done during the menstrual period. Hormone tests are checked on an empty stomach in the morning while menstruating. After the menstrual period ends, a uterus-tube film, namely HSG, is requested from women. The inside of the uterus and tubes are evaluated with this film. The man is also asked for a spermiogram, or sperm test.

In IVF treatment, egg growth medications are started on the 2nd or 3rd day of the menstrual period. Injections containing follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and/or luteinizing hormone (LH) are used daily to grow the eggs. The dose, amount and type of drugs to be used vary depending on the woman’s age, ovarian reserve and previous treatments.

The growth period of the eggs varies from person to person, but it takes approximately 10-12 days. During this period, vaginal ultrasonography is performed approximately 4-5 times and hormone levels are checked in the blood.

Additional injections can be used to grow the eggs and prevent early vulvation (ovulation).

In order for the eggs that have reached sufficient size to mature, hHCG or GnRH analogs are used approximately 34-36 hours before the egg collection procedure. These medications are also determined in personalized doses and are the last injection.

The egg collection procedure is performed in the IVF operating room under sedation (anesthesia). There is no pain during the procedure. With a thin needle attached to the vaginal ultrasound, the mature follicle fluids (eggs) that are ready are collected. The collected eggs are examined under a microscope by expert embryologists at the same time in the IVF laboratory integrated into the operating room, and the mature eggs are separated from the follicle fluid. After the egg collection procedure, a mild pain, cramping or spotting may be observed. Daily life can usually be resumed the day after the egg collection procedure, but care should be taken for infection for a week to ten days. If additional precautions are required, they will be indicated by the physicians.

On the day of egg collection, a sperm sample is also requested from the prospective father. Sperms are separated from the semen obtained by masturbation. These sperms are injected into the egg with the microinjection technique (ICSI) in a laboratory environment. In cases where there is no sperm in the semen, sperm can be obtained from the testicles surgically. For this reason, it is very important to see the man’s sperm test before the day of egg collection and, if possible, on the day of the evaluation.

If fertilization occurs after the egg and sperm are combined, the development of the embryo that forms is monitored in a laboratory environment for a few days. On the appropriate day, the embryo is placed in the uterus, this is called embryo transfer. The transfer day may vary from patient to patient. Transfer may be recommended within the same month or after the uterus is frozen and prepared the following month. Additional treatments may be required to prepare the uterus before transfer. These decisions are affected by different factors such as the number of embryos, their quality, the woman’s hormone levels, additional conditions such as myoma polyps in the uterus, the thickness of the inner wall of the uterus, and the social compatibility of the physician and the patients. The medications to be used are prescribed depending on the transfer day. These medications can be started on the day of egg collection or during the next menstrual period. Treatment may vary from person to person and personalized treatment is recommended. In some couples, it may be recommended to examine the genetics of the embryo and transfer a genetically healthy embryo. Embryos at risk of carrying genetic diseases can be examined with preimplantation genetic diagnosis tests. In addition, genetic screening may be recommended for the embryo in cases of recurrent IVF failures, recurrent miscarriages or in patients over the age of 40.

Egg transfer is performed by inserting the embryo into the uterus with the help of a thin catheter. Daily progesterone use is recommended to increase adherence and success. Additional medications may also be recommended in addition to progesterone. After the transfer, resting for approximately 30-40 minutes is sufficient. Since long bed rest does not increase the chance of pregnancy, it is not recommended. The day after the transfer, expectant mothers can return to their daily activities, but they should not lift anything heavy, do sports, have sexual intercourse, smoke or consume alcohol until the pregnancy test.

It is recommended. Approximately 10-12 days after the transfer, a pregnancy test is performed on the blood to check whether the pregnancy has occurred.

Who is IVF treated?

• In ovulation problems
• In cases where the tubes are damaged, blocked or tied
• In genetic diseases
• In unexplained infertility
• In sperm problems (number, movement, etc.)
• In endometriosis
• Before cancer treatment or surgery
• In patients planning a pregnancy in the future

What affects the success of IVF?

The most important factor affecting the success of IVF is the woman’s age. The number and quality of eggs in women decrease with age. The age of the mother-to-be is very important. The quality of the embryo is also an important factor affecting the success of IVF. Not every embryo formed is genetically sound and may not develop or survive while its development is monitored in laboratory conditions. Other factors affecting IVF treatment include the cause of the pregnancy obstacle in the couple. In some cases, IVF success may be lower than in other cases. It is recommended that the mother and father candidate have a healthy lifestyle, do regular exercise, do not smoke or drink alcohol, and have a balanced and regular diet. If they are overweight, they are definitely advised to lose weight. It is known that losing weight increases live birth rates.

Our IVF Centers will meet your expectations in this regard with their teams with thousands of cases of experience.

The problem of trust is a common problem in IVF treatments, because patients are often not informed enough before and during the treatment process, and concrete data that will enable them to trust them is not shared with them verbally, in writing or visually. In order for a center to provide this, it must first have an experienced team that closely follows scientific developments, devices/equipment compatible with technological developments, and laboratory conditions compatible with international quality standards, and thus, it must first have self-confidence. In our center, which fully meets these conditions, you will be greeted with open and honest information at every stage of your treatment process and satisfactory scientific explanations for all your questions. In IVF treatments, where psychological status is much more important than other medical practices, the trust in the center is the greatest contribution the patient can make to the success of the treatment and we will do our best to help you trust us on the path to success.

Services Provided at Şişli Kolan IVF Center

• Classic IVF treatment
• Egg freezing
• Embryo freezing
• Microinjection (ICSI)
• Piezzo electric
• Pregnancy vaccine
• PRP (platelet rich plasma)
• Preimplantation genetic screening and diagnosis
• Insemination (Intrauterine insemination)
• Microchip method
• Micro TESE / TESA
• Hysteroscopic procedures (for example: diagnostic, polyp and/or myoma removal, septum resection, adhesion opening, incision)
• Laparoscopic procedures (tube closure, cyst removal, myoma removal)

BECAUSE YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR SUCCESS.

For detailed information and appointment

www.kolantupbebekmerkezi.com