In-vitrofertilisatie

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is a process where eggs are fertilized with sperm in a lab and then implanted in the uterus.

The process begins with ovarian stimulation, where medications prompt the ovaries to produce multiple eggs instead of just one, enhancing the efficiency of egg harvesting.

In the next stage, oocyte retrieval, multiple mature oocytes are retrieved.

The ovaries are examined with a vaginal ultrasound probe, and a needle guide assists the physician in accurately inserting the needle into each follicle to retrieve the oocyte and follicular fluid.

Next, in conventional IVF, approximately fifty to one hundred thousand sperm are incubated with an oocyte for 12-18 hours for fertilization.

In cases of male infertility, intracytoplasmic sperm injection may be used, where a single sperm is injected directly into the oocyte.

Finally, fertilized embryos are transferred to the uterus either at the cleavage or blastocyst stages.

The physician performs the embryo transfer with the help of transabdominal ultrasound, to guide a catheter and place the embryos within 1 to 2 cm of the uterine fundus.