In vitro fertilisation (IVF)
Μenstrual cycle with medication
In IVF treatment with the help of medication, the ovaries are stimulated to mature and receive more than one egg. The reason for administering these drugs is to induce the development of more follicles, in which the eggs grow and mature. The main aim of the medication is to increase the success rates, as when there are more eggs, there is a greater chance that there will be at least one good quality embryo to transfer into the woman’s uterus to achieve pregnancy.The drugs used are FSH, drugs that are quite similar to the hormone that is naturally produced by the pituitary gland and is necessary for the development of follicles and eggs in women.
Because the treatment is individualised, the regimen – the protocol for taking medication – is chosen and used accordingly. While taking them, the woman is monitored by ultrasound and measurement of the hormone estradiol in the blood, so that everything is under control and at the right time we can take the eggs.
The ovulation procedure is performed by administering a light sedation intravenously, so that it is completely painless.
The oocytes are collected transvaginally by ultrasound examination. It takes between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on the number of follicles.
On the day of the egg collection, the husband/partner donates the sperm, which will then fertilise the eggs.
After ovulation, the woman sits in the clinic for about 1 hour and then can return home.
What is Fertilization
Fertilisation is a series of actions that start with the entry of the sperm into the egg. The activation of the ovum, the completion of Metaphase II, the exit of the second polar particle and the fusion of the ovum and the spermatozoon lead to the formation of pronuclei containing the genetic material from the father and the mother, 23 chromosomes each. Fertilisation is completed by the fusion of the 2 pronuclei, thus creating the normal number of chromosomes in the embryo, i.e. 46 chromosomes.
Fertilisation is a series of actions that start with the entry of the sperm into the egg. The activation of the ovum, the completion of Metaphase II, the exit of the second polar particle and the fusion of the ovum and the spermatozoon lead to the formation of pronuclei containing the genetic material from the father and the mother, 23 chromosomes each. Fertilisation is completed by the fusion of the 2 pronuclei, thus creating the normal number of chromosomes in the embryo, i.e. 46 chromosomes.
Fertilization in the laboratory
Immediately after receiving the eggs, they are evaluated and prepared for fertilization. Only the initial stage of the fertilisation process takes place in the laboratory. The fertilization process is completed by the egg and sperm in special ovens under completely controlled conditions.
Fertilization in the laboratory can occur in two ways. Depending on the parameters of the sperm and the couple’s medical history, either classical IVF or ICSI is chosen.
Immediately after receiving the eggs, they are evaluated and prepared for fertilization. Only the initial stage of the fertilisation process takes place in the laboratory. The fertilization process is completed by the egg and sperm in special ovens under completely controlled conditions.
Fertilization in the laboratory can occur in two ways. Depending on the parameters of the sperm and the couple’s medical history, either classical IVF or ICSI is chosen.
Classical IVF
In simple fertilisation the eggs are placed together with the sperm, which has been properly prepared, in the dishes where they remain for 16 to 20 hours in controlled laboratory conditions, the so-called ovens, in order to achieve fertilisation.
Microfertilisation – ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection)
Microfertilisation, often referred to by its initials ICSI, was developed in 1992. It is a technique performed in a laboratory setting and is now part of IVF treatment. A morphologically normal sperm cell is inserted directly into the cytoplasm of a mature oocyte, thereby penetrating the transparent zone and the cell membrane of the oocyte.
Indications for use of Microfertilization
- Low sperm count per ml (oligospermia)
- Low sperm motility (asthenospermia)
High percentage of spermatozoa with abnormal morphology (teratospermia) - Sperm obtained by a surgical technique
- Problems with fusion or problems with penetration of the sperm into the egg
- History of fertilisation failure or low fertilisation in a previous IVF attempt
Unexplained infertility - Frozen semen in small quantity
- When Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis of Embryo is to follow.
Embryo transfer is usually done 3 to 5 days after egg collection and is a simple and painless procedure.
The embryos are placed with a thin and flexible catheter through the cervix into the uterus.
It is carried out by ultrasound scanning, which allows us to identify the best place for their placement.
14 days after ovulation, a pregnancy test (detection of chorionic gonadotropin in the blood)
The embryos are placed with a thin and flexible catheter through the cervix into the uterus.
It is carried out by ultrasound scanning, which allows us to identify the best place for their placement.
14 days after ovulation, a pregnancy test (detection of chorionic gonadotropin in the blood)
In Natural Cycle
This treatment is mainly used in women in whom the use of ovarian stimulating drugs is contraindicated, such as when the ovaries do not respond to these drugs and therefore cannot produce eggs.Another reason is when the increase in the hormone estradiol is contraindicated, such as if there is a history of breast cancer. Oestradiol is the hormone produced by the follicles. The administration of stimulation drugs (FSH) causes multiple follicles to grow, resulting in a significant increase in the levels of estradiol in the body. When we want to avoid this, we perform IVF treatment in the woman’s natural cycle.
We monitor the growth of the follicle that the woman produces during her natural cycle with ultrasounds and blood tests.
In the ovulation phase, we take the one egg that is produced naturally and fertilize it with the husband’s sperm.
The resulting embryo is placed in the uterus, just as embryo transfer is done in the pharmaceutical cycle.
Why trust us?
- In my 20 years of experience, I have dealt with a wide range of issues fertility and have developed a deep understanding of the various treatment options, protocols and their results. THE expertise allows us to accurately assess the unique each patient’s condition and provide personalized treatments in order to have consistently high success rates.
- Over the years, we have undoubtedly helped countless couples achieve their dream of conceiving a child. Our track record of successful results is a testament to our proficiency and ability to effectively address complex fertility challenges.
- I deal exclusively with fertility problems, thus dedicating all my time to the investigation and treatment of infertility through research and participation in international conferences.
- I personally and completely undertake the medical treatment of even the most difficult and complicated cases, to give them every possibility of success.
- What comes first for me is respect for people and building a relationship of trust. I want you to feel confident that I am close to you and support you in your every step and reflection in this journey of fertility and my goal is to help you build the family of your dreams.
Contact the experts..
Experience and expertise , combined with the research and development of the reproductive gynecologist, is the key that, together with the will and trust of the couple, opens the door to a new life.
“We never give up trying…. It’s worth a new life….”
REVIEWS
