What Are The Advantages and Disadvantages of IVF?

Couples who are unable to get pregnant naturally often turn to assisted reproduction for help. One of the first lessons for those who intend to undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF), for example, is to understand all the treatment processes and their advantages and disadvantages. Continue reading and ask your questions about the procedure!

What is in vitro fertilization?

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is an assisted human reproduction treatment that consists of fertilizing an egg with sperm in a laboratory environment, forming embryos that will be cultured, selected, and transferred to the uterus. It is one of the most recommended procedures for those who want to realize their dream of starting a family, as it is a safe treatment with better success rates.

This is an alternative for couples who have difficulty getting pregnant, who have a genetic condition that can be passed on to the baby, or for same-sex couples.

IVF is one of the most used assisted reproduction techniques today and is mainly recommended for women who have gynecological changes that interfere with ovulation or the movement of eggs through the tubes. Problems related to sperm production can also lead to difficulty in having a child.

What are the stages of IVF? 

In Vitro Fertilization goes through a sequence of main steps, but some complementary techniques can be incorporated into the program, depending on the individualization of the treatment.

See what IVF looks like step by step:

1. Ovarian stimulation

It is performed with hormonal medications so that the ovary develops more follicles to obtain several mature eggs for fertilization — while in natural ovulation, only one egg is released per cycle.

2. Egg puncture

After follicular development, another hormone is applied to induce ovulation, but before the eggs are released, we perform the puncture—using a fine needle to aspirate the liquid that contains the gametes.

3. Semen collection

The semen is collected by masturbation in the clinic itself. After collection, the sample undergoes seminal preparation to select the best quality gametes.

4. Fertilization of eggs

Fertilization is carried out in the laboratory using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This technique involves the micromanipulation of gametes so that each sperm is analyzed with a microscope and injected into an egg.

5. Cultivation of embryos

Fertilized eggs are kept in culture for up to 7 days in incubators.

6. Embryo transfer

Transfer to the patient’s uterus. Embryos can be transferred fresh or frozen, which does not alter their quality or the chances of pregnancy.

Advantages and disadvantages

• The advantage is that pregnancy through IVF is similar to spontaneous pregnancy: the rates of miscarriage and fetal malformation are the same. The disadvantage is that if the sperm changes in any way, the chances of getting pregnant decrease.
• Another relevant aspect: in conventional IVF, the period between the first consultation and the first pregnancy test is around 45 days. However, if there is a need to undergo treatment to increase fertility, it takes even longer.
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome can occur due to high hormone levels produced by growing follicles after egg collection, when a large number of eggs are collected, or in patients with greater sensitivity to increased hormone levels. However, it occurs in only 2% of cases. 
• In vitro fertilization increases the risk of multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, and even more children) because it enhances the eggs produced during the menstrual cycle.

Discover the possibilities offered by IVF at the Chedid Grieco Laboratory – Reproductive Medicine. Schedule a consultation with one of our experts.

Realize Your Dream of Parenthood with IVF at Chedid Grieco

At Chedid Grieco, we specialize in IVF treatments that provide couples with the opportunity to start or grow their families. Our expert team will guide you through every stage of the IVF process, offering personalized care and cutting-edge technology to maximize your chances of success. For patients traveling from Miami, our clinic in Brazil offers world-class care with significant cost savings. Learn more about this option on our fertility tourism page. Schedule a consultation with one of our specialists today to explore how IVF can help you on your path to parenthood. Contact us at 305-912-0050 or through our contact form to get started.