Techniques and Benefits of Embryo Transfer
What Is Embryo Transfer?
In this method, ova from the wife or female donor and sperms from the husband or male donor are collected and are induced to form zygotes under simulated conditions in the laboratory. The zygote is monitored and let to be developed at the desired stage. The fit zygote or early embryos are then transferred into the fallopian tube and the uterus to further their development.
How and When Is Embryo Transfer Done?
In vitro fertilization includes transferring a fertilized embryo to a woman’s uterus. The process usually is painless and does not necessitate the use of sedatives. Some women may experience discomfort due to the speculum being inserted or having a full bladder, both necessary for an ultrasound. The procedure is quick, and a lady can empty the bladder right away.
The embryo transfer procedure is identical to that of a pap smear. Firstly, to keep the vaginal walls open, the doctor inserts a speculum into the woman’s vagina. With precision, the doctor inserts a catheter through the cervix and into the womb using ultrasonography. The embryos are then put into the womb through the tube.
Naturally, in vivo, an embryo generally moves out of the fallopian tube and into the uterus at the blastocyst stage of development (five or six days after fertilization). This blastocyst begins to adhere to the uterine lining once inside the uterus, a process known as implantation. In certain patients, the ovarian stimulation medications increase their progesterone levels above a critical threshold which becomes less receptive for embryo implantation. In such cases, following IVF cycles are recommended using Frozen Embryo Transfers (FETs).
IVF and embryo transfer are done in circumstances where spontaneous fertilization is impossible or problematic. Doctors and fertility specialists generally follow the same procedure every time they retrieve and fertilize eggs during IVF.
Types of Embryo Transfer?
Fertility centers in Hyderabad provide various alternatives for embryo transfers, which are as follows:
Fresh Embryo Transfer
After the eggs have been fertilized, they are cultured for 3-5 days before being transferred. The best embryos are chosen for direct transfer to the lady’s uterus.
Blastocyst Embryo Transfer
When numerous viable embryos form after fertilization, it is normal to wait to see if they grow into blastocysts before transferring them. Blastocyst embryo transfer has a better success rate on the third day than regular embryo transfer.
Frozen Blastocyst Transfer
Any healthy embryos not used in the first transfer can be frozen and kept for later use. These blastocyst frozen embryo transfers can be transplanted to the uterus after being frozen. Blastocyst transfer improves pregnancy chances by transferring the most suitable and likely implant embryo into the uterus and regulating twins and triplet’s outcomes, thereby reducing the chances of multiple pregnancies.
What are the benefits of embryo freezing?
The embryo cryopreservation technique was first done in 1984, and since then, it has been used repeatedly for many reasons.
Usually, patients with (OHSS) Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome are advised to freeze all available embryos rather than proceed with a fresh embryo transfer.
Less Expensive:
FET or Frozen Embryo Transfer is less expensive than fresh cycles. Following a new IVF cost in Hyderabad, subsequent FET cycles are cheaper because the medication is minimal, and there is no egg retrieval or anesthesia involved.
Lower Risk of Damage:
Slow freezing involves placing the embryos in sealed tubes and slowly lowering their temperature. This prevents the embryo’s cells from ageing and minimizes the risk of damage. However, slow freezing requires expensive machinery and is time-consuming.
Can Be Preserved for Later Use:
Women are most fertile from their teenage until age 35. These women can freeze their healthiest embryos and use them to start a family. However, this might not be the ideal age for many to start a family.
Helps Avoid Intensive Treatment for Your Next Cycle:
Suppose a person has preserved additional frozen embryos from their first IVF cycle. In that case, they can use them if they need additional cycles, which helps them avoid going through the intensive hormone injection treatments all again.
Can Be Used to Have Another Child in the Future:
Another benefit of Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) is that you can plan and schedule your next embryo transfer in advance. With the frozen embryos from your first pregnancy can have another child later.