IVF - In Vitro Fertilization (assisted reproduction)

Indications:

IVF is the preferred conventional method for assisted reproduction in patients with endometriosis, PCOS, or obstructed fallopian tubes AND the male partner has a normal sperm analysis.

Success rates

The chance of successfully becoming pregnant with the assistance of IVF is about 30-40% per cycle, dependent on the age of the individual partners, hormonal balances, the presence of underlying diseases (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) and lifestyle factors (being overweight, stress, nicotine and excessive alcohol consumption, etc.).

How IVF works

The seven steps of IVF-treatment:

1. Hormonal stimulation of the ovaries
2. Follicular puncture
   
3. Collection of semen
   
4. Fertilization through IVF
   
5. Embryo transfer
   
6. Assisted laser hatching
   
7. Nidation phase

1. Hormonal stimulation of the ovaries

Treatment with IVF (in-vitro fertilization) or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) nearly always (with very few exceptions) takes place after hormonal stimulation of the ovaries. The goal of hormonal therapy is to increase the number of maturing follicles in both ovaries to obtain several fertile eggs.

A preparatory phase (“down-regulation”) is intended to prepare the body for the actual stimulation by suppressing the body's own hormone production or release. This so-called "down-regulation" can take place either by applying daily injections under the skin (subcutaneous) or through oral intake of certain medications. The advantage of the preparatory phase is that controlling the stimulation phase becomes far easier.

FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinizing hormone) are used in their pure hormonal form or combined for the subsequent stimulation of the ovaries. Throughout the hormonal treatment, a specific dose (dependent on weight, age, etc.) is administered daily at the same time every day through subcutaneous injections.

The use of these medications and how they are applied will be explained in detail when starting treatment. The injection of these medications will be demonstrated so that patients and/or their partners can inject themselves daily, so that daily visits to the doctor are not necessary.

The number of follicles, the course of their growth, and the development of the uterine lining will be closely observed per ultrasound. Once the follicles reach a certain size, ovulation will be triggered using the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin). This technique helps determine the optimal time for egg cell retrieval—namely, shortly before ovulation.

2. Follicular puncture

The egg cells are removed through transvaginal extraction (through the vagina) under ultrasound guidance 36 hours after the application of the “ovulation stimulating shot”. A needle is first used to focus the follicles under ultrasound guidance, and then to puncture and collect the follicular fluid containing the egg cells (oocytes). Afterward, the egg cells are separated from the follicular fluid under microscopic view and transferred to a special culture medium and placed in an incubator at 37°C.

On average, the follicular puncture only lasts 5-15 minutes, depending on the number of follicles. In order to make the procedure more comfortable, our patients receive a combination of sleep and pain medication. The follicular puncture is performed on an outpatient basis, and a post-procedural 1-2-hour observational period in our relaxation rooms is necessary afterward.

3. The semen collection

The semen is obtained on the day of the follicular puncture through masturbation after 2-3 days of abstinence (no ejaculation). This is sometimes difficult, especially when “ordered” to do so, or due to stress/time pressure. Therefore, in seldom circumstances, it is also possible to bring the semen sample from home. It should be noted, however, that the period between semen collection and delivery of the sample to the institute cannot exceed two hours.

4. Fertilization: conventional IVF method

The fertilization of the extracted egg cells happens on the same day as they were retrieved. The sperm and the egg cells are brought together in a small bowl using a special preparation technique, which allows the fertilization process to take place in a "natural" way. The next day, a microscopic examination is performed to see how many of the egg cells show signs of fertilization (for example, if two pronuclei and two polar bodies are formed).