1. Pre-preparation
Couples need to undergo a series of physical examinations prior to IVF, with the aim of understanding whether they are suitable for IVF. If any related diseases affecting pregnancy are found, further treatment is needed before starting IVF.
Prepare three documents (ID card, marriage certificate and birth certificate). The birth certificate is only valid for one year, if it expires, please apply for extension at the issuing department.
Eat and rest normally, and exercise properly.
Listen to at least one IVF knowledge lecture (7th floor of outpatient clinic), which is helpful to understand the whole IVF process and better cooperate with doctors.
Quit bad habits such as smoking, alcohol, betel nut and staying up late.
Stay away from bad living and working environment (such as paint, rubber, gasoline, lead, mercury, organophosphorus pesticides, high temperature, long time radiation, etc.).
The male partner needs to tell his doctor as soon as possible if he has difficulty in masturbating to retrieve sperm. It is recommended to freeze and store a copy of semen after the examination is perfected so that the male partner will not be unable to retrieve semen due to nervousness during egg retrieval. Adjust your mind, a good state of mind helps success!
2.Down regulation
Down regulation refers to the use of down regulation drugs to adjust endocrine hormone levels in preparation for ovulation.
Do not take drugs indiscriminately;
Do not eat spicy and other stimulating food;
Do not smoke, drink or chew betel nut;
Take high protein supplements, such as lean meat, fish, eggs, milk, protein powder, etc;
Regular work and rest;
Keep your mood relaxed.
3.Ovulation promotion
Under natural circumstances, women have a group of follicles developing every month, but only one of them is mature and ovulates. Ovulation promotion helps to increase the success rate of IVF by using drugs to promote the development of multiple follicles to obtain the right number of eggs.
During the period of ovulation promotion, blood hormone monitoring and ultrasound monitoring of follicle development are needed regularly.
You should not stay up late, work and rest regularly and keep a good mood.
Eat a balanced diet with high protein to ensure adequate and comprehensive nutrition.
It is better not to have intercourse and avoid strenuous activities to avoid ovarian torsion.
Tell your doctor promptly if you experience any abdominal pain, bloating or other discomfort.
4. HCG day (night shot)
Generally, the night injection (HCG, i.e. chorionic gonadotropin) starts around 8-12 days after the ovulation promotion medication.
Be sure to strictly follow the doctor’s prescribed time to inject the medication HCG, as it is closely related to the time of egg retrieval!
The morning after the night shot, you will have to do a vaginal wipe and have your blood drawn for HCG. Your doctor will decide whether to add another HCG injection depending on the situation.
5. Egg retrieval and sperm retrieval
Egg retrieval is a minor surgery and is usually performed under intravenous general anesthesia (fasting is required before egg retrieval), or you can choose to inject pain medication for analgesia if the number of follicles is small.
The egg retrieval is performed by fine needle aspiration under ultrasound monitoring.
On the day of egg retrieval, the three certificates (ID card, marriage certificate and birth certificate) are strictly checked. Therefore, please make sure to bring your original documents.
Both parties should shower and change clothes before egg retrieval. Do not use mousse, hair gel, perfume, nail polish and other items with volatile and irritating smell.
Rest in bed for 1 hour after the egg retrieval procedure and observe for abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Drink plenty of water, urinate more often and prevent urinary tract infection on the day after surgery.
There may be a small amount of blood leaking from the puncture site of the needle after the operation, so there may be a small amount of blood in the vaginal discharge.
If you experience sudden severe abdominal pain, fever, or increased vaginal bleeding, please contact your doctor promptly.
Eat a balanced diet. For a large number of eggs retrieved, or if abdominal distension is obvious, a high protein diet (e.g. milk, lean meat, soy milk, fish, shrimp, etc.) is recommended.
Pay attention to rest and avoid straining and strenuous exercise.
On the day of egg retrieval, the male partner should masturbate to retrieve sperm; if there is difficulty in retrieving sperm, it is recommended to freeze the sperm before the day of egg retrieval.
6. In vitro fertilization and embryo culture
After the sperm and eggs are removed, they are handed over to the laboratory for processing. Depending on the patient’s condition, the decision is made to use first generation IVF (allowing the sperm and egg to be fertilized by natural union) or second generation IVF (fertilization of the egg by microinjection of sperm into the egg).
The fertilized eggs are cultured in a constant temperature incubator and develop into embryos.
7. Embryo transfer
Embryos are usually transferred to the uterus on day 3 after egg retrieval (day 0 is counted on the day of egg retrieval).
The embryo transfer process is painless, please relax.
8. Post-transfer fertility maintenance
Please take progesterone and other medications to protect the pregnancy after the transfer, please follow the doctor’s instructions.
Do not lift heavy objects, avoid straining, avoid strenuous activities, and ensure sufficient sleep.
Prevent constipation. Progesterone (progesterone) and other medications and low exercise may cause constipation. In order to reduce the symptoms of constipation, it is advisable to walk properly, eat more vegetables and fruits rich in high fiber, eat less spicy food, and if necessary, give open plug (a kind of anal plug drug) to laxative.
Relax, maintain an optimistic attitude, let nature take its course, do not worry about it.
If you have abdominal pain, bloating, or vaginal bleeding that is not normal, contact the center at any time for immediate treatment of the fetus.
Avoid smoking, alcohol, coffee and tea.
Pay attention to nutrition and increase high protein intake.
Those who have allergies or are allergic to certain substances should pay attention to stay away from allergens and avoid eating foods that can easily cause allergies.