IVF

Best IVF Treatment Centre in Lucknow

Usually, a woman produces one egg (oocyte) every month. This egg is released from the ovary at the time of ovulation and transported to the Fallopian tube, where it meets the sperm and gets fertilized. This fertilized egg grows into an embryo, which travels to the uterus to attach and grow.

At Malti Clinic in Lucknow, led by Dr Pratibha Singh, IVF treatment involves stimulating the ovaries to develop multiple eggs. These eggs are collected directly from the ovary before ovulation (under anaesthesia) and fertilized with the male partner's sperm in the laboratory. The fertilized eggs (embryos) are incubated for 3 to 5 days. One or two of these embryos are selected and transferred into the uterus of the female partner through a thin embryotransfer catheter. A couple's own eggs and sperm can be used, or alternatively, donor eggs or sperm may be used.

What are the steps involved in IVF?

1. Evaluating the couple.

2. Planning an individualized best IVF stimulation protocol.

3. Stimulating the ovaries with fertility medications for a minimum of 8–12 days to develop multiple mature eggs.

4. Monitoring the response to stimulation medication by serial ultrasound scans and hormonal blood tests.

5. Collecting the eggs under short anaesthesia by needle aspiration and ultrasound guidance via vaginal route (no scar on abdomen / no pain / daycare procedure).

6. Male partner provides semen sample – by masturbation or surgical sperm retrieval method.

7. Eggs collected are fertilized with male partner's sperm in the embryology laboratory by a senior embryologist.

8. The resulting fertilized egg, called embryo, is cultured for 3 to 5 days in special incubators to facilitate growth.

9. Genetic testing of embryos is done if recommended after 5 days of development.

10. Selection of 1 or 2 embryos for transfer to the female partner's uterus.

11. Supportive medication given for 2 weeks.

12. Pregnancy test done after 2 weeks.

In vitro fertilization is suitable for whom?

1. Couple with or at risk of genetic disorders.

2. Recurrent pregnancy loss or repeated miscarriages.

3. Female partner with blocked/damaged Fallopian tubes.

4. Unexplained infertility.

5. Female partner with age-related infertility.

6. Female partner with low ovarian reserve.

7. Female partner with ovulation disorders.

8. Female partner with endometriosis/adenomyosis.

9. Female partner with history of tubal sterilisation surgery (family planning surgery).

10. Female partner with ovarian failure for IVF + regenerative medicine / donor oocyte IVF.

11. Fertility preservation for cancers or other health conditions / social reasons.

12. Severe male factor infertility – very low sperm count / very low motility.

13. Couple with failed IUI cycles.