World IVF Day: How is a baby born through IVF, who can do it, how much does it cost? Dr.

IVF may be needed by people who have low sperm count, blockage in the fallopian tubes, are unable to produce eggs, have endometriosis (growth of uterus-like tissue outside the uterus), are unable to conceive due to any other reason. If you are also facing difficulty in conceiving a child, then you can consult a doctor. IVF is a complex process and involves many steps. Before undergoing IVF, you should talk to your doctor in detail about all the possible risks and benefits.

Today i.e. 25th July is World IVF Day It is celebrated with the aim of informing people about IVF and spreading awareness. On this occasion we Dr. Sheetal Jindal, Senior Consultant & Medical Director and Director, Medical Genetics Program, Jindal IVF, Chandigarh We spoke to Dr. Sheetal and tried to know what IVF is, who needs it, what is its procedure, what are its advantages and disadvantages and how much does it cost. Let us know the answers to such important questions related to IVF from Dr. Sheetal.

Who can undergo IVF procedure?
Dr. Sheetal said that IVF can be a good option for people who are having difficulty conceiving a child. There are some situations in which IVF may be needed:

• Problems in the fallopian tubes: IVF may be helpful if a woman's fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged.
• Failure to release eggs from the ovaries: IVF can be done if a woman's ovaries are not producing eggs.
• Sperm problems in men: If a man has a low sperm count or poor quality, IVF may be helpful.
• Infertility due to unknown reasons: Sometimes there is no obvious reason for infertility; IVF can be done in such cases too.
• Decrease in quality of eggs with age: With increasing age, the quality of eggs can be affected, in such a case IVF can be helpful.
• Endometriosis: If a woman has endometriosis, IVF may be an option.
• genetic disease: If there is a genetic disorder in the family, the embryos can be tested through IVF.
• Single women or gay couples: These people can also have children with the help of IVF.

What is the process of IVF?
According to the doctor, IVF is a complex process that involves several steps. Let's understand:

• initial inspection: First, the doctor examines both partners. This includes blood tests, ultrasound, and looking at medical history.
• Increasing the number of eggs: The woman is given some medicines so that her ovaries can produce more eggs. The doctor regularly checks the eggs through blood tests and ultrasound.
• Removing the eggs: When the eggs are ready, the doctor removes them through a small surgery.
• Sperm sample: A sperm sample is taken from the man.
• Fertilization: The egg and sperm are combined in the laboratory. This is called fertilization.
• Development of the fetus: The fertilized egg is kept in the laboratory for a few days so that it can develop into an embryo.
• Transfer of Embryo: One or more good embryos are inserted into the woman's uterus.
• Hormone drugs: The doctor may give some medicines to help the embryo stay properly in the uterus.
• pregnancy test: After about two weeks it becomes clear whether the woman is pregnant or not.
• If the pregnancy test is positive the doctor will do a routine check-up.

How does age affect the success of IVF?
Dr Sheetal explains that age plays a significant role in IVF success rates, with younger women generally having more success than older women. Women's fertility naturally declines with age, especially after the age of 35, as the quantity and quality of their eggs decrease.

IVF success rates for women between the ages of 35 and 40 begin to decline gradually, and more rapidly after the age of 40. But the good news is that there are now techniques available that can be used to reduce the effects of age.

Techniques such as egg freezing and embryo testing can reduce the effects of age. Although age is an important factor, personalized treatment plans and technological advancements can help reduce age-related challenges.

What is the success rate of IVF?
The success rate of IVF depends on many factors.

• Chances of success: The success rate of each IVF attempt is 30 to 40%, but if you try three times the success rate can be up to 60%.
• Effect of woman's age: Younger females have a higher chance of success because their eggs are better.
• other factors: The quality of the embryo, the woman's health and the clinic's facilities also have an impact.
• Impact of Lifestyle: Staying healthy, not smoking, and reducing stress can increase your chances of success.
• New Technologies Aiding: Newer techniques such as embryo testing may increase the chance of success.

Are there any risks or potential complications associated with IVF?
According to the doctor, while IVF is generally safe, it can have some potential risks and complications. Common side effects include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), in which the ovaries become inflamed due to an excessive response to fertility drugs.

This condition can range from mild to severe and may require treatment. Other risks include multiple pregnancy, which occurs when more than one embryo is implanted, increasing the chance of premature birth and having a low birth weight baby.

Additionally, there is a small risk of infection or bleeding from the egg retrieval procedure. Long-term risks include potential ovarian damage due to repeated use of fertility drugs. However, these risks can often be minimized with careful care and treatment, and many patients achieve successful outcomes with proper medical guidance.

Can babies born through IVF conceive naturally?
Yes, babies born through IVF can also conceive naturally. It is a procedure that helps conceive a baby, but it does not affect the natural fertility of the child. IVF does not change the DNA of the baby. However, if the parents have a problem that has caused infertility, it is possible that the problem will affect the child as well. But this is not necessary. Therefore, babies born through IVF are as healthy as other children and have the ability to reproduce.

Is IVF a challenging process?
According to Dr. Sheetal, IVF is a complex process which involves many steps. Many types of medicines are used in it and sometimes minor surgeries may also have to be done. Along with all this, there is also mental stress because the hope of fulfilling your dreams depends on this process. During IVF, you may feel both physical and mental fatigue. But many clinics also provide counseling facilities during this time, which keeps your mind calm.

When is an IVF pregnancy considered safe?
An IVF pregnancy is generally considered safe once the embryo has successfully implanted and the pregnancy has reached a stage where the risk of early miscarriage is significantly reduced. Generally, a pregnancy is considered stable after the first trimester, around 12-14 weeks, when the risk of miscarriage is significantly reduced.

At this time, the placenta is formed and providing the necessary support to the foetus, and the foetus is well developed. However, constant monitoring through ultrasound and regular check-ups during pregnancy is important to ensure the health of both the mother and the baby. Every pregnancy is different, so it is important to follow medical advice to maintain a safe and healthy pregnancy.

What is the best age for IVF?
Generally, women under the age of 35 have a higher chance of IVF success. At this age, women's eggs are healthy and the chances of pregnancy increase. After 35 years, the quality of eggs in women starts decreasing, which also reduces the chances of IVF success. Although, now such techniques are available which can reduce the effect of age, but it is still advisable to get IVF done at a young age.

Fertility begins to decline rapidly after age 35, and this becomes even more pronounced after age 40, as the quality and quantity of eggs decline. Although advances in reproductive technologies may improve outcomes for older women, the highest chance of success is usually seen in younger women.

Whose sperm is used in IVF?
In IVF, the sperm used for fertilization can come from a variety of sources depending on the couple's situation. Generally, sperm is collected from the male partner in the relationship. If the male partner has fertility problems or is unable to provide sperm, donor sperm from a carefully screened sperm bank can be used.

Donor sperm is often chosen when there are concerns about genetic conditions, poor sperm quality or other fertility problems. The decision of whose sperm to use is based on medical needs, personal preferences and sometimes legal considerations, with the goal of achieving the best possible outcome for the IVF procedure.

What is the cost of IVF in India?
Depending on the doctor, the cost of IVF in India may vary from clinic to clinic and city to city. Generally, an IVF session may cost around Rs 90,000 to Rs 1,50,000. This cost includes egg production medications, egg retrieval, fertilization and embryo transfer process. Apart from this, there may be some other expenses such as: preliminary tests, special techniques (such as ICSI), embryo testing, additional medications, sometimes clinics also offer the facility of paying in installments.