4 Things About IVF That May Surprise You!

IVF or In Vitro Fertilization is a procedure where the fertilization of the egg by a sperm occurs outside the human body. “In vitro” means “in glass”. Conducted under laboratory conditions, the ovum or ova are removed from the woman’s ovaries and the sperm is allowed to fertilize them. The fertilized egg or zygote is then allowed to grow in a culture of amniotic fluids for almost a week. This fertilized egg at its embryonic stage is introduced into the uterus in order to trigger a pregnancy.

IVF as a fertility treatment may be prescribed on the basis of various factors such male or female infertility, genetic disorder, or disorders with ovulation. So an IVF treatment may or may not include a surrogate. It makes good sense to know as much as you possibly can before you undergo any treatment.

Here are 4 lesser known facts about IVF-

1. IVF pregnancies too can become ectopic
An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg gets implanted on the outside of the uterus. This usually happens somewhere in the fallopian tubes, though the egg might implant itself elsewhere as well. Given that in an IVF the embryo is directly transferred into the uterus, it is safe to assume that ectopic pregnancies can be confidently avoided. But, the contractions in the uterine walls after the transfer may cause the embryo to shift elsewhere.

2. Acupuncture increases success
Research shows that acupuncture therapy before or during or after a cycle of IVF can increase the rate of success of the procedure. There are special therapies of acupuncture designed specifically to enhance the success of implantation.

3. Twins are more likely
A multiple embryo transfer enhances the chances of a successful pregnancy. But it also increases the chances that the pregnancy would lead to the birth of twins. Fraternal or identical twins born out of an IVF pregnancy are very common. In fact the likelihood of identical twins is especially high.

4. Healthy lifestyle will lead to better IVF cycles
A well-balanced diet with the all the essential nutrients and vitamins is absolutely necessary for a smooth IVF cycle. Lots of water and fluids along with regular sleeping habits are also important. You need to make sure that you get a good night’s sleep on an every day basis. A minimum of 7-9 hours of sleep every night will increase the rate of success of the treatment.

If you are undergoing treatments for fertility, perhaps these lesser known facts will help you.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!