Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) refers to medical treatments for infertility that involve handling sperm and eggs outside the body to achieve pregnancy. In these methods, fertilization occurs externally.
ART encompasses various techniques, including:
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): Also known as “test-tube baby” treatment, this involves fertilizing eggs with sperm in a laboratory dish.
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI): A specialized form of IVF where a single sperm is directly injected into an egg to facilitate fertilization.
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): Involves transferring both eggs and sperm into the fallopian tube.
Zygote/Embryo Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT): Involves transferring a fertilized egg (zygote) or early-stage embryo into the fallopian tube.
Among these, IVF and ICSI are the most widely used and popular methods today.
Both IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) are advanced medical technologies used to assist in reproduction, where eggs and sperm are brought together outside the body to achieve fertilization.
The primary difference between them lies in how fertilization occurs:
IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): In traditional IVF, collected eggs are placed in a lab dish with a large number of prepared sperm. The sperm are then left to naturally fertilize the eggs on their own, mimicking the natural process.
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection): ICSI is a more specialized technique where a highly skilled embryologist selects a single, healthy sperm and directly injects it into the center of each mature egg using a tiny needle.
In essence, IVF relies on natural fertilization in a lab dish, while ICSI involves direct, assisted injection of a single sperm into the egg.
Both methods are widely popular and involve similar steps like ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, embryo culture, and embryo transfer, but ICSI is often chosen for cases involving male infertility or previous IVF fertilization failures.
IVF is often a highly effective solution for couples facing various fertility challenges. Here are the common situations where IVF is recommended:
Female with Irreparable Fallopian Tube Issues (Tubal Factor): This includes tubes that are blocked, narrowed, severely twisted, swollen with fluid (hydrosalpinx), or if there are no fallopian tubes due to a birth defect or previous surgical removal of both tubes.
Severe Endometriosis: If a woman has severe endometriosis with extensive pelvic adhesions, and has not responded to medication or surgery, or if adhesions are constricting the fallopian tubes, making them non-functional.
Chronic Ovulation Problems: For women who experience chronic anovulation (lack of ovulation) and have not conceived with oral or injectable fertility medications, or those with Low Ovarian Reserve (a diminished egg supply), where time is critical before no eggs remain.
Male Factor Infertility: When the male partner has:
Oligozoospermia: Sperm count less than 10 million/mL.
Asthenozoospermia: Low sperm motility.
Teratozoospermia: Abnormally shaped sperm.
Azoospermia: No sperm present in the ejaculate.
Aspermia: Inability to ejaculate.
Failed IUI Cycles: Couples who have undergone an appropriate number of unsuccessful Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) cycles.
Unexplained Infertility: Couples diagnosed with infertility where no clear cause has been identified, or who have been trying to conceive for more than two years without success.
Couples Undergoing Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT):
For those at risk of passing on abnormal genetic diseases to their child.
For those with a history of having a child born with birth defects or recurrent miscarriages due to chromosomal abnormalities.
Fertility Preservation: Couples or individuals who wish to preserve their gametes (sperm or eggs) or embryos before undergoing cancer treatments like chemotherapy or radiation (e.g., for breast cancer, lymphoma, leukemia), or for other conditions like SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus).
Severe Uterine/Reproductive Organ Abnormalities: Women with congenital malformations of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or other reproductive organs, or those who have had their uterus surgically removed (meaning they cannot carry a pregnancy themselves) or had both ovaries removed. These cases may require the assistance of a third party, such as a surrogate or egg donor.
If you fall into any of these categories, IVF may be a suitable path for your family-building journey. We encourage you to discuss your specific situation with our specialists at Smile IVF Clinic.
To maximize your chances of success during fertility treatment, both partners should prioritize their health and well-being. Here’s what we recommend:
Balanced Nutrition & Supplements: Eat a balanced diet from all five food groups. Supplement with appropriate vitamins as advised.
Adequate Rest: Get at least 8 hours of sleep per night to help your body respond better to treatment.
Regular Exercise: Maintain a consistent exercise routine.
Avoid Smoking & Alcohol: Quitting smoking and alcohol can significantly improve your body’s response to fertility hormones and treatment.
Follow Doctor’s Instructions: Adhere strictly to all medical advice and instructions, as detailed previously.
When you begin your fertility treatment at Smile IVF Clinic, our dedicated medical team will guide you through a comprehensive process to address your fertility challenges. The entire journey typically spans approximately 4-6 weeks, following these key steps:
1. Initial Assessment & Stimulation Planning
Standard Infertility Workup: We start by conducting standard tests to diagnose the cause of infertility and evaluate your suitability for various assisted reproductive technologies.
Ovarian Stimulation: You’ll begin receiving appropriate injectable medications to stimulate your ovaries. This usually starts around day 2-3 of your menstrual cycle and continues for 8-10 days. Throughout this period, we’ll use transvaginal ultrasound to monitor your initial follicle count and measure hormone levels.
2. Monitoring & Egg Retrieval Preparation
Follicle Monitoring: We’ll closely monitor your ovarian response and follicle growth using frequent transvaginal ultrasounds, along with blood hormone tests.
Trigger Shot: Once your follicles reach an optimal size (typically 18 mm, with 2-3 follicles of this size), a hormone injection will be administered to induce final egg maturation.
Egg Retrieval Scheduling: Approximately 35-40 hours after this injection, the precise time for egg retrieval will be set.
3. Egg & Sperm Collection
Egg Retrieval: This procedure is performed while you are under deep sedation administered by an anesthesiologist. A small needle, guided by ultrasound through the vagina, is used to aspirate the fluid from the follicles and collect the eggs. Our scientists then immediately verify the number and quality of the retrieved eggs.
Sperm Collection: On the same day as your egg retrieval, your partner will provide a semen sample, which will then undergo specialized preparation in our laboratory.
4. Fertilization & Embryo Culture
Fertilization: The retrieved eggs will be combined with the prepared sperm to allow fertilization to occur, creating embryos. These embryos are then cultured in a specialized incubator.
Embryo Development: The fertilized embryos are meticulously cultured to allow them to grow to a suitable stage for transfer, such as the Cleavage stage (Day 2 or 3) or the Blastocyst stage (Day 5 or 6).
5. Embryo Transfer & Follow-up
Embryo Transfer (Fresh Cycle): Once the embryos reach the appropriate developmental stage, they will be transferred back into your uterus during the same cycle. This is known as a “fresh transfer cycle.”
Embryo Freezing (Frozen Cycle): In some cases, a fresh transfer may not be possible. For instance, if embryo cells are biopsied for chromosomal screening (PGT-A) or genetic disease screening (PGT-M), the embryos will need to be frozen and stored. The transfer would then occur in a subsequent menstrual cycle, known as a “frozen transfer cycle.”
Post-Transfer Care & Pregnancy Test: After a fresh embryo transfer, you will receive medications to support and maintain the pregnancy. Approximately 10-14 days after the transfer, you’ll have a blood test to confirm the pregnancy. If successful, we will schedule follow-up appointments until delivery.
Addressing Unsuccessful Cycles: If a fresh transfer cycle is unsuccessful and you have frozen embryos remaining, our doctor will analyze the reasons for the outcome, address any contributing factors, and prepare for a frozen embryo transfer in a subsequent menstrual cycle.
In In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), once eggs are fertilized and begin to develop, they are carefully cultured in the lab for a few days before being transferred into the woman’s uterus. The timing of this embryo transfer is crucial and depends on the developmental stage of the embryo.
Here are the main stages of embryo development where transfer typically occurs:
Your fertility specialist will determine the optimal stage and type of transfer based on your individual circumstances, the number and quality of embryos, and any specific testing being performed.
At Smile IVF Clinic, the pregnancy success rate per IVF cycle is influenced by several factors: the age of both partners, sperm quality, the number and quality of eggs retrieved in each cycle, and the uterus’s readiness for embryo transfer.
Generally, if a patient yields a sufficient number of good quality eggs (approximately 15 or more), the overall cumulative pregnancy success rate is around 70-85%. This rate can further improve to 70-85% if at least two chromosomally normal embryos are transferred.
Breaking down the success rates by transfer type:
It’s also important to note that even after a successful IVF pregnancy, there’s a general risk of miscarriage, typically around 15-20%. This varies depending on the age of the male and female partners, embryo quality, and uterine receptivity. However, transferring embryos that have been chromosomally screened and found to be normal can substantially reduce the miscarriage rate to as low as 5%.
(Click here to compare our success rates with other methods.)
IVF stands out as a highly effective and versatile fertility treatment, offering several significant benefits:
High Success Rates: IVF generally offers higher pregnancy and live birth rates compared to other fertility treatments, especially when using advanced techniques like PGT. This makes it a preferred option for many couples facing complex infertility challenges.
Addresses Diverse Infertility Causes: IVF can effectively treat almost all forms of infertility, whether the issue stems from male factors (e.g., low sperm count, poor motility), female factors (e.g., blocked fallopian tubes, ovulation disorders, low ovarian reserve), or unexplained infertility. Doctors can personalize the treatment protocol to fit each patient’s unique situation.
Precise Fertilization & Embryo Development: With techniques like ICSI, fertilization is carefully controlled, and experienced embryologists monitor embryo development from its earliest stages. This allows for initial assessment of embryo quality and potential, optimizing the chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Quicker Conception Compared to Natural Methods/IUI: By directly facilitating fertilization and embryo development, IVF often leads to pregnancy more efficiently and in a shorter timeframe than natural conception or less intensive treatments like IUI.
Genetic Screening Capabilities: IVF allows for Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT), which can screen embryos for chromosomal abnormalities (PGT-A/NGS) or specific single-gene disorders (PGT-M). This is a crucial advantage for:
Reducing Miscarriage Risk: By transferring chromosomally normal embryos.
Preventing Genetic Diseases: For couples at risk of passing on inherited conditions.
Increasing Live Birth Rates: By selecting the healthiest embryos for transfer.
Reducing the likelihood of birth defects.
Established and Safe Procedure: IVF has been in use for over 40 years, with extensive research and clinical experience demonstrating its safety and efficacy.
These advantages make IVF a powerful and comprehensive solution for many couples hoping to build their families.
At Smile IVF Clinic, we understand your heartfelt desire to have a child, and we are honored to be a part of this significant journey with you.
We are specialists in reproductive medicine, ready to provide comprehensive and precise consultation, diagnosis, and treatment planning for infertility. With our highly experienced team of doctors, nurses, and scientists, we are committed to utilizing the most advanced assisted reproductive technologies to maximize your chances of a successful pregnancy and the birth of a healthy, complete child.
No matter the challenges you face—whether they stem from male or female factors, or even if the cause is unexplained—we are here to offer close, empathetic care every step of the way. Our goal is to help you achieve the joy of a complete family.
Come build your dream family with Smile IVF Clinic today! Schedule an appointment to meet us.
