The doctor qualifies the patients for IVF in Pakistan Treatment based on the medical past of both partners. The IVF procedure consists of several stages. This procedure starts with hormonal stimulation, followed by punctures and embryological procedures. The embryo transfer into the uterine cavity is the culmination of the entire in vitro fertilization process. Then the in vitro procedure enters the stage of waiting for the effect, which is difficult for many women, i.e. waiting for pregnancy.
Step-by-step in vitro procedure
This procedure is an assisted reproduction technique that allows infertile partners to get pregnant. This procedure combines an egg cell with a sperm cell in laboratory conditions, i.e. outside the female reproductive system. Before this happens, the woman is usually subjected to hormonal stimulation, allowing her to obtain more oocytes.
When they are ready for collection, the ovaries are punctured. These obtained egg cells are transferred to the embryological laboratory and then fertilization occurs. Developing embryos are carefully observed for several days by specialists, and on the 5th day, the transfer takes place. Non-transferred embryos are frozen and can be used in future in vitro procedures.
Hormonal stimulation preceding in vitro fertilization
In the beginning, the gynecologist prescribes hormonal stimulation for the patient, which allows them to obtain a greater number of egg cells called oocytes, which increases the chance of obtaining a normal embryo and the desired pregnancy. The patient takes medication from the second or third day of her menstrual cycle. During this process, the patient should visit the clinic several times for stimulation monitoring and checkups. During these visits, the doctor checks the growth of follicles. When they reach the exact size, the patient stops taking the medication.
Patients must also undergo the necessary pre-in vitro tests required by law (in the table) for in vitro fertilization to be performed.
Puncture
The other step of the in vitro procedure is the collection of oocytes, i.e. ovarian puncture, which lasts only several minutes and is performed under short-term general anesthesia. On the day, if the couple uses the partner’s sperm, the man is asked to donate sperm. After the puncture, there is a visit during which the doctor analyzes the number of collected oocytes.
In vitro fertilization – embryological procedures
Then, the IVF procedure is carried out; the embryologist, in laboratory conditions, fertilizes the egg cells with properly prepared sperm. According to Pakistan law, in vitro fertilization can be performed on six oocytes at a time – their surplus can be cryopreserved.
Embryo transfer
On the 2nd, 3rd, or 5th day of embryo development, 1 or 2 embryos are transferred – their number depends on the specialist decision, and it is made based on the couple’s medication. The patient is informed by the receptionist about the procedure the day before, you can call the receptionist any time. The doctor injects the embryo into the uterine cavity during the transfer using a specific catheter. The woman receives further recommendations on taking medications to support the pregnancy’s development. About 2 weeks after the puncture, the patient should have a blood test to check if the pregnancy procedure has been achieved.
How long does the in vitro procedure take?
The duration of the in vitro procedure largely depends on the length of hormonal stimulation and what protocol will be used. With less protocol, the entire IVF procedure is performed in a single menstrual cycle. On the other side, a long protocol requires a maximum of five to eight weeks of preparation. When women ask how long an IVF procedure takes, they often mean the time from a puncture to transfer. It may be different here too. Usually, 2, 3, or 5-day-old embryos are transferred.
In vitro treatment – price
The IVF Cost in Pakistan depends on many factors, such as the additional procedures used, the type and amount of drugs, and whether the woman can take advantage of co-financing for drugs. Much also depends on the health of both the woman and the man. The freezing embryos also affect the price of the IV procedure; they can significantly decrease the cost of subsequent attempts to achieve pregnancy.