Fertility Clinic Procedures: All You Need to Know About IVF, IUI, ICSI, and Surrogacy
Infertility is a common issue that affects countless couples around the world. It can be an emotional and challenging journey for those who are struggling to conceive. Fortunately, modern medicine has provided several options for couples who are struggling to conceive. Fertility clinics offer a range of procedures, including in-vitro fertilization (IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and surrogacy. Read on to learn more about these procedures and the lifestyle changes that can improve your chances of conceiving.
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
IVF is a popular fertility treatment that involves fertilizing a woman’s eggs with sperm outside of the body in a laboratory dish. Once fertilized, the embryos are transferred to the uterus, where they can implant and develop into a pregnancy. This process is ideal for couples struggling with infertility due to endometriosis, tubal factor infertility, or male factor infertility.
During the IVF process, women are required to take fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs. These eggs are then removed from the ovaries using a needle under ultrasound guidance and placed in a laboratory dish to be fertilized. The embryologists check these embryos regularly for their growth and select the best ones for transfer.
Do’s and Don’ts after IVF:
– Do consume a healthy diet that includes whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and highly processed foods.
– Don’t engage in vigorous exercise or lifting heavy weights, as this can interfere with the implantation process.
– Do take prescribed medications according to the instructions of your fertility consultant. Skipping medication can compromise the success of the IVF process.
– Don’t smoke, as this can harm the quality of your eggs and decrease your chances of success significantly.
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
IUI is a fertility procedure that involves inserting sperm directly into a woman’s uterus during ovulation. This process is ideal for couples struggling with unexplained infertility, cervical mucus problems, or mild to moderate male factor infertility.
During IUI, the sperm is usually washed and concentrated to help increase the number of motile sperm before inserting it into the uterus. Your fertility consultant will discuss with you the best time to perform IUI to optimize the chances of conception.
Do’s and Don’ts after IUI:
– Do take it easy after the procedure. Rest for a few hours and avoid strenuous activities for 24 hours.
– Don’t engage in unprotected sex before or after the procedure, as it can interfere with the accuracy of the test results.
– Do keep track of your fertile window and discuss it with your fertility consultant to optimize your chances of success.
– Don’t consume alcohol, caffeine, or any other substances that may harm the quality of your eggs or sperm and decrease your chances of success.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
ICSI is a procedure that is often used in conjunction with IVF and can be used to treat male factor infertility, such as low sperm count or poor sperm motility. During ICSI, a single sperm is injected directly into a mature egg, fertilizing it.
The ICSI process is similar to IVF; however, instead of relying on the sperm to fertilize the egg naturally, the embryologists select the best-looking sperm and inject it directly into the egg.
Do’s and Don’ts after ICSI:
– Do maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, as it can significantly impact the quality of your eggs and sperm.
– Don’t engage in strenuous activities before or after the procedure, as it can significantly decrease your chances of success.
– Do take prescribed medications and adhere to a strict treatment schedule, following the instructions of your fertility consultant.
– Don’t smoke or consume any substances that can decrease your chances of success.
Surrogacy
Surrogacy is an excellent option for women who are unable to carry a pregnancy due to medical reasons such as uterine damage or hysterectomy. Surrogacy involves finding a surrogate who is willing to carry a pregnancy to term on behalf of the intended parents.
There are two types of surrogacy: traditional and gestational. Traditional surrogacy involves the surrogate mother donating her egg and having it fertilized with the intended father’s sperm. Gestational surrogacy involves transferring an embryo to the surrogate’s uterus, created using IVF using the intended parents’ or donor’s eggs and sperm.
Do’s and Don’ts after surrogacy:
– Do take care of the surrogate during pregnancy, as it can be a challenging journey for her.
– Don’t engage in unprotected sex during the surrogacy process, as it may interfere with the accuracy of the test results.
– Do adhere to the legal and ethical guidelines established by the fertility clinic and local authorities.
– Don’t show discriminatory behavior towards the surrogate and keep her informed about any relevant medical conditions, instructions, or issues.
In conclusion, fertility treatments can be a challenging but ultimately rewarding journey when performed in a responsive, respectful and ethical manner. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, and avoiding harmful substances can significantly improve your chances of conceiving. Remember always to seek the help of reputable fertility clinics and never hesitate to seek the help of professionals if needed.