IVF, or in vitro fertilisation, is a treatment I use for patients who have not been able to conceive through simpler approaches, or where the clinical picture points specifically to IVF as the appropriate next step. The process begins with ovarian stimulation, during which hormonal medications encourage the ovaries to develop multiple follicles rather than the single egg a natural cycle typically produces. This phase is monitored closely through blood tests and ultrasound scans to ensure the response is on track.
When the follicles have reached the appropriate size, the egg retrieval procedure collects the eggs under sedation. The eggs are then fertilised in the laboratory using the partner's or donor sperm, and the resulting embryos are assessed over several days. A selected embryo is transferred into the uterus, and a blood test approximately two weeks later confirms whether implantation has occurred. The full cycle typically takes three to four weeks from stimulation start to the pregnancy test result.
Every IVF cycle is different. Success depends on egg quality, sperm health, embryo development, uterine receptivity, and the underlying fertility diagnosis, which is why I believe thorough assessment and honest pre-treatment counselling are as important as the treatment itself.
If you would like to understand whether IVF is appropriate for your situation, speak with Dr. Lavanya Kiran at Jeevasare Healthcare or KIMS Lakshya, Bengaluru.
Related reading:
What Is IVF and When Is It Recommended?
Written by Dr. Lavanya Kiran, MS OBG, Fellowship in Infertility and Reproductive Medicine, Director and Lead Consultant, Jeevasare Healthcare and KIMS Lakshya, Bengaluru.
