IVF & Fertility Care in Ludhiana, Punjab

Fertility Assessment and Planning

Treatment begins with a detailed consultation and review of the couple's reproductive and medical history. The female partner may undergo assessment of ovarian reserve, hormonal investigations and pelvic ultrasound, while semen analysis and other investigations may be advised for the male partner. These findings help determine whether IVF is appropriate and allow the stimulation protocol to be individualized.

Ovarian Stimulation

During a natural menstrual cycle, the ovaries usually develop a single dominant egg. During IVF, fertility medications are used to stimulate the ovaries so that several follicles may develop simultaneously. The dose and combination of medication are selected according to factors such as age, ovarian reserve and previous response to fertility treatment.

Monitoring Follicular Development

During stimulation, ultrasound examinations and, where required, blood tests are performed to monitor the developing follicles. Medication doses may be adjusted according to the ovarian response. Once the follicles have reached an appropriate stage of development, a trigger injection is given to prepare the eggs for retrieval.

Egg Retrieval

Egg retrieval is scheduled at a carefully determined interval following the trigger injection. Under ultrasound guidance, the mature follicles are accessed and the follicular fluid containing the eggs is collected. Appropriate anaesthesia or sedation is used to make the procedure comfortable. The collected eggs are then transferred to the embryology laboratory.

Sperm Preparation

A semen sample is generally obtained on the day of egg retrieval and processed in the laboratory to select suitable sperm for fertilization. In situations involving significant male-factor infertility, additional evaluation or sperm-retrieval techniques may sometimes be required.

Fertilization — IVF or ICSI

With conventional IVF, prepared sperm and eggs are brought together in the laboratory to allow fertilization to occur. When ICSI is indicated, an embryologist introduces a single selected sperm directly into an egg. ICSI is particularly useful in certain cases of male-factor infertility and in other selected clinical situations.

Embryo Development

After fertilization, embryos are carefully observed as they develop in the laboratory. Depending upon embryo development and the individual treatment plan, embryo transfer may be performed at an appropriate developmental stage. In suitable circumstances, embryos may be cultured to the blastocyst stage before transfer or freezing.

Embryo Transfer

A selected embryo is transferred through the cervix into the uterus using a fine catheter. The procedure is generally straightforward and usually does not require anaesthesia. The number of embryos transferred should be decided individually, taking into account the patient's age, embryo characteristics, reproductive history and the risks associated with multiple pregnancy.

Transferring more embryos is not simply a way of guaranteeing greater success. Multiple pregnancy is an important preventable risk of fertility treatment, which is why embryo-transfer decisions need to balance the chance of pregnancy with maternal and fetal safety.

Embryo Freezing

If additional suitable embryos are available, they may be frozen by vitrification for possible future use. Frozen embryos may subsequently be used in a frozen embryo transfer cycle without repeating ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval.

After Embryo Transfer

Medication is generally continued to support the uterine lining after embryo transfer. A pregnancy test is performed at the appropriate interval advised by the fertility specialist. If positive, further evaluation is arranged to confirm the location and progress of the pregnancy.