In vitro fertilization is one of the techniques of artificial insemination, and this technique is used to help treat a number of different infertility problems, and it is mentioned that the first successful IVF operation took place in 1978 in England, and although IVF technology has become very widespread and its success rate is high, there is also The rate of failure and not always success, what are the reasons for the failure of the IVF process? What happens after its failure? What are the details of this process? .. And other information we know from Dr. Ibrahim Hammad, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Al-Masryeen Hospital in Giza.
1- The success rate of IVF
For women under the age of 35, approximately 54.4%.
From 35-37 years, approximately 42%.
From 38-40 years, 26.6%.
This percentage decreases a lot over forty to be at the age of 41-42, about 13.3%.
3.9% over the age of 43.
The success rates of IVF operations increase by increasing their number of times, reaching the peak of success in the third attempt, according to some studies.
2- Factors of success or failure of IVF
Mother’s age: the chance of success of the IVF process increases the younger the mother’s age, as increasing the mother’s age over 41 years reduces the success rate of the operation.
The condition of the fetus: the success rate of artificial insemination may decrease if the fertilized egg is transferred to the mother''s womb before it grows to an appropriate stage, given that some embryos will not survive until the appropriate time for implantation in the mother''s womb.
The chance of success of the artificial insemination process is higher for women who ... have become pregnant before, than for women who have never conceived in the past, and the success rate of this process decreases if the operation was previously performed and failed.
Some life factors may lead to a decrease in the success rate of the IVF process, such as: drinking drinks that contain high caffeine, or using some types of drugs.
Suffering from obesity also reduces the success rate of this operation, and it is worth noting that smoking by women reduces the success rate of the IVF process by nearly 50% Therefore, care must be taken to follow a healthy lifestyle to increase the chance of success of the operation.
3- Steps of IVF process
Stimulating ovulation: a woman produces approximately one egg per month in normal cases, and to increase the chance of success of the IVF process, the doctor needs more than one egg to perform fertilization.
Therefore, women are given a group of drugs known as fertility drugs to help stimulate ovulation and produce more than one egg.
Egg retrieval: in which the woman is anesthetized, and the doctor uses an ultrasound machine to help him a fine needle into the ovaries
Then the eggs and the fluid in the vesicles, or the sacs responsible for carrying the eggs, are suctioned into the ovaries.
Fertilization: During this stage, the eggs are fertilized. By collecting the eggs extracted from the ovaries and mixing them with the semen extracted from the man, the fertilization process takes place a few hours after fertilization.
Embryo implantation: After the fertilization process ends, cells begin to divide inside the egg to start the formation of the embryo, and cell division is monitored during this stage
It extends to approximately five days before implantation of the egg in the uterus. To make sure that there is no problem with the fertilization process and normal cell division.
Transfer: After ensuring the integrity of the egg and the growth of the fetus at an appropriate degree, the fertilized egg is transferred to the inside of the woman''s uterus in a simple operation inside the doctor''s office, without the need for anesthesia for the woman.
4- Reasons for the failure of IVF
Decreased acceptance of the lining of the uterus of the fetus, and this may occur as a result of the presence of problems in the uterus, which impede the implantation of the fetus in the lining of the uterus, and reduce the acceptance of the endometrium of the fetus.
The thin endometrium: which impedes the implantation and nutrition of the fetus, defects in the regulation of cytokines: they are proteins responsible for transmitting signals and communication between cells, which have an important role in immunity and embryonic development.
Immune problems: due to immune deficiency and attacking the cells of the uterus or the fetus, and it causes pregnancy failure.
Hypercoagulation: or thrombophilia, which is a disorder of blood clotting that increases the occurrence of clots and ICSI failure, especially if it is hereditary.
Infection: such as bacterial endometriosis, which may not have symptoms, but it appears with tests and x-rays, and causes pregnancy failure.
Defect of chromosomes coming from the male or female gametes, which results in a defective fetus that does not fully develop and fails to implant.
Endometriosis, in which the response of the ovaries and endometrium to the fetus decreases, and the quality of the fetus and implantation, especially in severe cases.
Fallopian tube obstruction with clear fluid, this fluid is slightly basic, and may contain immune cells that may poison the fetus or affect the endometrium.
Taking steroids less than required, which affects the quality of the endometrium and the fetus. The stimulant drugs, if not taken as prescribed and required, may do more harm than good.
5- Does the failure of IVF mean the impossibility of pregnancy?
Failure of IVF does not mean the impossibility of pregnancy. The average number of times a pregnancy occurs is three attempts, and the rates of pregnancy increase with the frequency of trying.
You must go to the doctor to evaluate the situation and try to find out the cause and treatment of failure, and balance between the chances of success and failure if you decide to repeat the process.
A list of the required tests will also be drawn up, with some changes that can be made, such as: changing regimens of stimulant drugs or using assistive technology for IVF.
The use of the laser in case of hardening of the transparent area to make small holes in it to facilitate the entry of the sperm, as well as the use of the laser to make small holes in the external wall of the fetus. To facilitate its implantation in the uterus.
You should know that excess weight, positive or passive smoking, excessive caffeine consumption, and an unhealthy lifestyle in general .. are also among the causes of IVF failure.
