IVF PROCEDURE

PREPARATION

Throughout the treatment period, special medication is given to the patient that help produce more eggs (only one egg is usually produced by a woman during her normal cycle). We then monitor the IVF cycle by ultrasound at regular intervals, usually every two or three days. With the help of ultrasound, doses were identified and the cycle is adapted to the problem of each patient. Our aim is to achieve at least three follicles to be over eighteen millimeters in size. At this stage we estimate that the other eggs have matured and we are ready to begin the process of egg collection. Several times during the IVF cycle the patient should have specific blood tests for certain hormones such as estradiol and progesterone. The whole procedure is performed under the guidance of medical personnel, namely the obstetrician gynecologist specialized in in vitro fertilization and infertility Sykoutri Anastasios who monitors the patient throughout the course of treatment. The doctor is in constant contact with colleagues abroad and thus is always informed of all the new advancements in infertility research.

Egg collection

During ultrasound, we measure the follicles. When everything is ready and we have at least three follicles in eighteen millimeters size the patient should take an injection of beta-hCG for egg maturation. Thirty-six hours after receiving the injection in the operating room under sterile conditions, through the vagina, the gynecologist with a special device will withdraw from the ovaries of the follicular fluid and therefore the eggs. A special embryologist researches through this liquid in order to find the eggs using a special microscope. This procedure is performed under mild anesthesia which naturally is provided by a special anesthesiologist. Information on how the process of egg collection is made will be provided by the anesthesiologist on the previous day, and you also will be given a special brochure. The whole procedure is painless for the patient and it takes about fifteen minutes to complete.

Insemination

After the process of fertilization the eggs are placed in a special cultivating substance. We then fertilize the eggs using the husband's sperm after it has undergone through special process techniques in the laboratory. This process is complex and is under the constant supervision of medical and laboratory staff. The next morning, we check the eggs impregnation and the physician as well as the patients are immediately informed. The process of fertilization is made with the most modern means available worldwide in the Embryology laboratories. Continuous inspections are made and all procedures are governed by Greek law applicable to IVF centers and the possibility of error is minimal.

Embryo

Dr Anastasios Sykoutris specializes in the process of embryo transfer and has taken his specialty on in this field at the University of Bristol, England. He has a vast experience on this process both theoretical and practical. The process of embryo transfer takes place two to three days after egg collection. Only on specific cases takes place on the fifth day. The embryos are placed back in the vaginal cavity through a special catheter that passes through the cervix. The number of embryos to be transferred depend on the woman's age and is based on the law issued on January 1st, 2005. If there are large numbers of embryos they can be frozen and used in a future try.

Embryo transfer is a painless procedure for the patient and is under continuous ultrasound coverage. The patient should have a full bladder for improving the image during the ultrasound. The whole process takes about ten minutes in special surgery room.

Pregnancy Test

Twelve days after the embryo transfer process the patient has a pregnancy test. The best pregnancy test is to take blood for determining the chorionic gonadotropin. In case the test is positive, two weeks later the first ultrasound takes place where we can see the bag or bags with the fetus in the womb. The pregnancy test should not be taken less than twelve days after insemination. If the test is negative the medication given to the patients should be discontinued. It is very important for couple to meet with their doctor as soon as possible to investigate the causes of failure and plan the next course of therapy according to the new findings. It is important that patients understand that a failure can be a negative fact but on the other side enables us to design the next treatment more accurately and to see how the body of the patient responded to the treatment until that point. Of course, throughout the IVF cycle there is the option of receiving phychological support by a panel of psychologists.