In India, the fertility treatment hubs witness over 2,50,000 IVF cycles each year. The success rates of IVF in India range from 20 to 50% in couples and vary depending on the patient’s age, medical conditions, ovarian reserve, endometrial receptivity, etc., as well as the clinic's expertise.

IVF is an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) by which an egg and sperm are fertilised under controlled conditions outside the body. The embryo thus formed is transferred into the woman’s uterus for implantation and pregnancy. This technique is usually applied in couples with infertility who cannot conceive with conventional medical and surgical treatment methods. These conditions, such a blocked fallopian tubes, severe endometriosis, low sperm count, and unexplained infertility, warrant IVF to be a method which helps achieving parenthood to these couples.

Process of IVF in India

• Consultation and Diagnostic Tests : The journey from a fertility specialist starts with inputs like hormonal blood tests, semen analysis, and ultrasound scans to assess the reproductive health of the couple. Individuals undergo some of the diagnostic tests that help explain the couple's incapacity.
• Ovarian Stimulation and Egg Retrieval : The woman is put on hormonal injections for 10-12 days to stimulate the ovaries and produce multiple eggs. When the egg(s) is/are) mature generally within 10 to 12 days, and they are retrieved surgically by an ultrasound-guided needle vaginally, with full sedation to make the procedure completely painless. This procedure of egg retrieval requires no cuts or stitches anywhere in the body.
• Sperm Collection and Embryo Fertilisation : On the day of egg retrieval, the male partner has to give a semen sample in the lab. The fertilisation then occurs in the lab using the method of conventional IVF or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) as thought appropriate by the team of doctors.
• Embryo Development and Selection : The fertilised embryos will be kept in culture for an additional 3-5 days. Then, the healthiest embryo is selected for implantation into the woman’s uterus.
• Transfer of Embryos : The selected embryo is transferred into the uterus through a painless procedure within 3 to 5 days or in a later menstrual cycle, by preserving these embryos by freezing them at sub-zero temperatures. A pregnancy test is done after 12-14 days to confirm the success of the procedure.

The cost of IVF treatment is quite feasible in India, compared to Western countries, depending on the clinics, which city it is in, and what medical intervention is required. The success of in-vitro fertilisation is mostly dependent on age, fertility health, embryo quality, and lifestyle. Success rates in general are:

• Less than 35 years: 45-50% per cycle
• 35-40 years: 30-40% per cycle
• Above 40 years: 10-20% per cycle

Things like maintaining a healthy weight, learning how to reduce stress, and avoiding smoking and alcohol can noticeably improve the outcomes of IVF.

The Centre of IVF and Human Reproduction at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital was founded in 1991, catering to the needs of couples struggling to have a child. In the last few years, it has come up as a large provider of advanced reproductive healthcare services for the entire country. As an infertility care centre, this centre facilitates modern fertility and reproductive health services that are accessible to patients in a patient-friendly and personalised environment. The wide spectrum of infertility treatment services available at the centre includes simple medical management, such as ovulation induction, surgeries such as open fertility corrective surgeries, open and endoscopic microsurgery, fertility-enhancing endoscopic surgeries, and ART procedures such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilisation/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) procedures. This centre also provides fertility preservation by oocyte and embryo cryo-preservation along with advanced technologies such as calcium ionophore treatment, sperm selection methods in failure cases, and genetic testing of embryos to rule out genetic diseases carried in families.

IVF may be an emotional and financial struggle for you. The best practices are counselling and support groups that can help couples stay above all the stress during this process. It is a good idea to plan the finances, check insurance coverage, and discuss options with their clinic for ease of using the money on that.

Life for so many couples in this country has been changed for good by IVF procedures. It has given the country yet another hope of becoming a favourite destination for fertility treatments very soon, considering how accessible, affordable, and successful it is turning out to be. If you or somebody you know is contemplating the idea of availing of IVF, consult with a reputed fertility specialist and book an appointment at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital today to stay updated, remain hopeful, and spread positivity throughout the journey.