One of the joys of being a woman is having children, described as unique and special. But it can be difficult for women whose reproductive systems do not function properly. Fortunately, IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatment is an available option that has been used in the medical setting for many years now.
According to records, IVF birth rates in the United Kingdom in 2019 were three times higher than in 1991. Does this mean that the IVF success rate nowadays is higher than in the past? What are the probabilities of a positive pregnancy test IVF?
How Does IVF Treatment Work?
Also referred to as Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART), IVF is a technique in which sperm fertilize the egg cells outside the body or in vitro, which means “in a glass.” It is often used to treat female infertility due to problems with the fallopian tubes, as well as male infertility caused by failure of the testicles to produce healthy sperm.
The woman receiving IVF treatment takes hormone drugs to stimulate her ovaries to ripen multiple eggs, then removed from her ovaries. They are placed in sterile fluid in the laboratory for fertilization by sperm. After three days, when the embryos have developed into early-stage (4-8 cells) blastocysts, one or two healthy embryos are chosen (depending on patients wishes after counseling about success rates, etc., if any) and transferred into the woman’s uterus using a fine plastic tube, through the cervix.
After the procedure, the woman should take a pregnancy test. IVF failure means she will have her menstruation 12-16 days after the procedure.
IVF is generally done in cycles on women aged 20-40 years old, although some patients need it later. Patients whose infertility is caused by blocked fallopian tubes rather than problems with egg production may be candidates for tubal surgery first instead of IVF. If you decide to have this procedure, plan ahead of time, including knowing the cost, location, etc. For instance, if you prefer a fertility clinic Lincoln area or Yorkshire.
Who Can Have IVF Treatment in the UK?
There are guidelines recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on who should have IVF treatment in the country. These include a policy that IVF should be offered to women under the age of 43 who are trying to get pregnant through regular unprotected sex for two years. It is also for women who have had 12 cycles of artificial insemination, with at least 6 of these cycles utilizing a method called intrauterine insemination. If you’re not eligible for the government-funded IVF treatment, you have to pay for the cost at a private fertility clinic.
What Is The Success Rate of IVF?
In 2019, statistics showed that the success rate of IVF for women under age 35 is 32%. The success rate of other age brackets include:
- 25% for 35 to 37-year-old women
- 19% for 38 to 39-year-old women
- 11% for 40 to 42-year-old women
- 5% for 43 to 44-year-old women
- 4% for 44 and older women
The type of treatment impacts the success rate of IVF. That’s why it’s critical to choose a reliable fertility clinic, like Hull & East Riding, with positive feedback and testimonials from their previous clients. Experienced and highly trained medical practitioners handle the IVF treatment in Hull clinic.
Risks of IVF Treatment
IVF is physically and emotionally demanding that doesn’t always end in pregnancy. Consider counseling to help you cope with the process. Moreover, there are also health risks involved, including:
- Side effects from the drugs used during the process, including headaches and hot flashes.
- Multiple births (twins or triplets), which can be dangerous for the mother and children.
- Ectopic pregnancy, a condition wherein the embryo implants in the fallopian tubes instead of the womb.
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) wherein the ovaries overreact to the medicines used during the IVF treatment.
