STEPS OF IVF / ICSI

• Controlled ovarian stimulation – This is the method of stimulation in IVF / ICSI where drugs are given to form eggs and another set of drugs are given which prevent the eggs from rupturing inside the body. Once they are finally ready, they are taken out from the body under ultrasound guidance. This procedure (egg collections) is usually done under anaesthesia and is not painful.
• Egg retrieval – Suction is used to remove fluid from the follicles which contain the egg. This procedure is done under anaesthesia (so not painful) and is quite safe as well as it is done under ultrasound guidance.
• Embryo transfer – Can be done on day 2, 3 or 5 of the egg retrieval day depending on the number of embryos available. Strictly no more than 3 day 3 and 2 day 5 embryos are transferred so usually the patient has less chances of getting multiple pregnancies of higher order. Surplus embryos are frozen / cryopreserved.

Cryopreservation – Cryopreservation is keeping the human embryos in the state of suspended animation in liquid nitrogen at – 196 ^o and they can be preserved for 5 years. Whenever the embryos are required, they can be thawed (warmed) and can be used. This increases the chances of getting pregnant per oocyte retrieval.