What is IVF? In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is also commonly known as IVF. In simple terms, it is the process of removing the wife’s egg and the husband’s sperm and fertilizing them outside the body to develop into an early embryo, which is then transferred into the wife’s uterus for the purpose of conception and allowed to grow and develop in the uterine cavity until full term delivery. Do you know about IVF? At present, there are many misconceptions about IVF in the society, which are as follows: (1) IVF is “artificially created” by the hospital, not the flesh and blood of the couple? This is one of the biggest misconceptions. In fact, the IVF performed in China’s reproductive medicine centers are all produced from the eggs and sperm of both spouses. (2) IVF is a “special baby” and will be mentally or physically handicapped? In fact, after more than 30 years of development, hundreds of thousands of IVF babies have been born all over the world, and early IVF babies have also given birth to their own normal babies, and there are some larger-scale comprehensive surveys and studies that have confirmed that there is no significant difference between IVF babies and naturally conceived babies in terms of birth defects and later physical and intellectual development. (3) What is the low success rate and high cost of IVF? So far, IVF technology is one of the most accurate and reliable methods to treat infertility, and it is also one of the most widely used technologies to assist pregnancy in clinical practice. IVF has a history of more than 30 years, and the current success rate in China has reached about 40-50%, reaching the international advanced level. This is much higher than the chance of conceiving with a normal couple in the same room. As for the cost, the average cost of conducting this technology in China is about 20-30,000 RMB per visit. Indications for IVF? (1) Tubal incompetence, pelvic and tubal adhesions, endometriosis, tubal resection for ectopic pregnancy caused by various reasons; (2) Ovulation disorders; (3) Pelvic endometriosis; (4) Oligospermia and weak spermatozoa in male partner; (5) Immunological infertility; (6) Unexplained infertility. Second-generation IVF technology is also known as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). It is the selection of high-quality single sperm to be injected into the oocyte plasma under the detection of microscopic system to complete direct fertilization and then transfer the suitable embryo into the uterus of the female partner. Indications: ①severe oligospermia, weakness, and teratospermia; ②obstructive azoospermia; ③ spermatogenic dysfunction; ④ male immune infertility. ⑤ In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) fertilization failure. (6) Sperm without acrosome or abnormal acrosome function. What is the method of IVF? In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is a technique in which a woman produces several eggs through controlled superovulation, and then the eggs are removed from the ovaries and fertilized in vitro with her husband’s sperm in the laboratory. After embryo transfer, steps such as pregnancy support, pregnancy tests, ultrasound to determine clinical pregnancy, etc. are completed. It may also be in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) plus other assisted reproductive techniques such as microfertilization, embryo freezing, etc. What are the steps and process of IVF? (1) Initial diagnosis to determine the need for assisted reproductive technology to help conception; medical examination for both couples; provide legal documents and medical examination report to establish a file. (2) Ovulation monitoring for those with regular menstruation and determination of the timing of medication for down regulation. For patients with irregular menstruation, make an appointment for medication. (3) GnRHa drug injection (about 15 days after injection); (4) Gn ovulation treatment (about 10 days, need to follow up 3-4 times); (5) HCG drug injection for mature follicle development, 34-36 hours after the scheduled time for surgical egg retrieval; (6) In the morning of the day of egg retrieval, the woman’s husband will retrieve the sperm. The semen is optimized and then fertilized in vitro with the eggs. The fertilized eggs are cultured for 2-3 days; (7) On the 3rd day after egg retrieval, high quality embryos are selected for intrauterine transfer; (8) After the transfer, luteal support is given and a follow-up pregnancy test is performed after 14 days of continuous medication; (9) In case of pregnancy, fertility treatment with progesterone is continued for 14 days of follow-up; the whole process takes about 40-60 days and the patient needs about 10 or more follow-up visits as prescribed by the doctor, spanning 2 menstrual cycles.