Every couple’s journey through infertility and treatment is different. Depending on the cause, general
health and history of the patients, personalized treatment plans are devised by the infertility
specialists. However, there are some similar paths which every couple takes through this journey.
Once the couple has made this life-changing decision of seeking fertility treatment, the first step
always is trying to identify the cause of infertility. History-taking sessions, physical examination,
blood tests, sonographies may be done for this. If treatable via medicines, certain drugs are
prescribed. Surgery to restore fertility may be recommended if necessary. All efforts are made to
achieve pregnancy naturally – by increasing frequency of sexual intercourse and timing them using
ovulation predictor kits, hormone testing; ii. ovulation induction, monitoring of egg release and
timing sexual intercourse accordingly. This is done for 3-6 months.
If this does not work, assisted reproductive techniques might be tried, starting with intrauterine
insemination – with or without medicines for ovulation induction. This involves washing and
concentrating sperms and placing them into the uterus at the right time. This again is tried for 3-6
months.
Lastly if all fails, option of IVF is put forth wherein the embryo is formed outside the body and then
transferred back into the mother’s womb. It involves stimulation of ovaries to produce more eggs 🡪
removal of eggs and sperm collection 🡪 getting both together in a petri-plate for fertilization in
the lab 🡪 Fertilized embryos grown under special conditions 🡪 Embyro(s) put into the uterus for
growth 🡪 Baby is born after 9 months.
If the sperm motility is low or sperms are unable to break into the egg, IVF with intrcytoplasmic
sperm injection (ICSI) is done. A single sperm is directly placed into the egg instead of getting egg
and sperms together for natural fertilization.
Blastocyst culture, assisted embryo hatching may also be tried in IVF cycles. Option of freezing extra
embryos is given to the couple in case or a failed IVF cycle or if they want future pregnancies.
IVF is more invasive and costlier technique hence it is usually not the first option in cases of
infertility, unless indicated.
If IVF is not successful with own gametes (eggs/ sperms) or if the female’s age is > 35 years, donor
gametes may be tried to improve chances of pregnancy. If the female partner is unable to carry the
pregnancy, surrogate pregnancy can be opted for.
Infertility treatment is always done in a step-wise manner. It is an emotional journey, one requiring
tons of patience but your bundle of joy is worth the wait ! Femcare fertility becomes your partner in
this journey and helps to make it easier for you.