What is IVF? It is probably that you have come across the term IVF once or twice in your life but not sure what it is. IVF stands for in vitro fertilization – a treatment for infertility or genetic problems which assists with conception of a child. This treatment combines both medicines and surgical procedures to help sperm fertilize eggs and help fertilized eggs implant in the uterus.

How is IVF done? Stage 1 – Ovulation induction: Firstly, you need to take fertility medications for your ovaries to produce several eggs that are mature and ready for fertilization. During this process, you need to have regular medical examinations for hormonal levels and to keep track of your eggs production with ultrasound or blood test. Stage 2 – Egg retrieval: Once, your ovaries have produced enough mature eggs, they will be collected by doctor. This is a minor surgical procedure in which the doctor will insert a needle through your vagina into the ovary to pull the eggs out of each follicle. Stage 3 – Insemination: The retrieved eggs are then mixed with sperm cells in the lab for a few days to allow them to be fertilized. The fertilized eggs will divide and become embryos. Stage 4 – Embryo transfer: After 3-5 days of the egg retrieval, one or more embryos will be put directly into your uterus through the tube. After this you may take pill or progesterone injection to keep embryos survive easier in uterus for 8-10 weeks. Approximately 2 weeks after the embryo transfer, you can already start taking the pregnancy test to see if the treatment works.

Is there age limit for IVF? There is no standard age limit for IVF worldwide, depends on the country, maximum age limit may be specified differently, so remember to check your country’s regulation in prior to the treatment. With that said, IVF is not recommended for women in their late 40s due to medical conditions and success rate that decrease with age or the risks of pregnancy complication. According to National Health Service England (NHS) the success rate of IVF for women over 44 years old is only 4% who using their own eggs and their partners’ sperm. What are the possible risks for IVF? There are various risks associated with IVF, some of the common ones are multiple births, premature delivery, miscarriage, or the side effects of medicines on the patients’ physical and mental health.

How much does IVF treatment cost? Price for IVF can vary greatly based on the country you reside, the clinic you receive the treatment as well as your and your partner’s medical condition. However, IVF won’t come cheap, and a single IVF cycle fee can be up to $15,000 or more, not to mention the additional fees such as medications, testing, etc.

References: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ivf/ https://medipass.site/ivf-age-limit-everything-you-need-to-know/ https://fertilityspace.io/blog/the-cost-of-ivf-in-2022