A Successful IVF – The 9 steps

Infertility for most of you constitutes a very lonely path. Even if this is a familiar experience for you, the negative feeling it creates is enough to turn you into an introvert and, in some cases, drive you to isolation. However, what are the steps towards a successful IVF and as a result a positive pregnancy test?

Let’s take a look at the 9 steps a couple should follow in order for a successful IVF:

1. Exclusion that the husband’s sperm is responsible for infertility by testing sperm DNA Fragmentation or DFI, which is very important because the usual sperm analysis is not enough to diagnose the genetic quality of the male’s genetic material.
2. Checking the quality and quantity of woman’s follicles. A diagnostic marker is the hormone AMH (Anti-mullerian Hormone), which shows women’s fertility levels in terms of the number of ovarian follicles. However, this marker is not sufficient enough by itself to show that a woman has a both qualitative and quantitative ovarian reserve.
3. Inhibin B (Inhibin B) is an additional hormonal investigation and is the hormone associated with the remaining number of follicles in the ovaries. Thus, associated with the result of the AMH hormone, women know for sure whether they are fertile or not. This particular test can ONLY be performed on the 3rd day of the cycle.
4. The thickness of the endometrium should be carefully examined by the Gynecologist. Statistically, the thicker the endometrium is, the greater the chances of implantation are, increasing in this way the chances for a positive pregnancy test.
5. A very careful ultrasound by an experienced doctor is able to observe details concerning the anatomy of the female reproductive system and can diagnose if there is an anatomical problem that could impede the achievement of a natural conception.
6. Immunological targeted investigation, including the number of natural killer cells (NK Cells) and endometrial NK cells which normally prevent conception or the implantation of the fetus and is the main reason for failure of an IVF frequently.
7. Activity of NK cells prevents pregnancy because their receptors attack the fetus, lead to apoptosis and do not allow implantation because they recognize it as an invader to the body. In this way, IVF still fails. This test is different from the above and is very important for the stability of a pregnancy, especially until the third month of pregnancy.
8. Embryotoxicity (ETA) is a very important test especially for women who fail in IVF treatments. It has been suggested that positive and negative embryotoxic agents provide the basis for a new classification of idiopathic recurrent pregnancy loss and IVF failure. The prevalence of embryotoxic activity among women suffering from recurrent pregnancy loss is 10% to 15% and between in vitro fertilization failures is 20% to 25%. Embryotoxic agents have also been reported in women who have unexplained infertility and infertility associated with endometriosis.
9. Leukocyte-platelet aggregates are a new test for the identification of thrombus events after failed IVF. Increased platelet aggregation of leukocytes has been reported in women who had failed IVF because of the later diagnosed thrombotic events. This test can help not only for diagnostic purposes but also to guide doctors to perform appropriate low-dose heparin therapy for a successful pregnancy. This test can be performed in conjunction with the control of thrombolytic agents.

All the aforementioned methods increase the pregnancy success rate after IVF treatments, as the above diagnostic tests and targeted personalized therapies create higher chances for a successful embryo implantation. However, it should be clarified that research, diagnosis, evaluation and treatment should be done by specialized scientists in the field of assisted reproduction in order for the couple to conceive and deliver a healthy baby.

We are here to listen to you and do our best in order to give you the greatest gift of life … your child! For more information and answers to any question you may have on fertility issues, arrange an appointment with us on +302106895001 and we will take you one step closer to your greatest dream.