The IVF Process

The Zona Pellucida is the envelope that protects the embryo. As the embryo grows, the Zona Pellucida becomes more and more thin so the embryo can “hatch out of it” and implant. Sometimes, the Zona Pellucida is very thick and does not allow the embryo to get out of it. In this case, it is recommended to perform a Laser-assisted Zona Pellucida Hatching, that renders the zona thinner before transferring the embryo. However, it is not recommended to use this technique on all embryos, especially the ones that are presenting a thin zona because internal cells of the embryo can be damaged by the laser shots. We at Azoury IVF clinic, perform assisted Hatching when it is necessary in a routine way, without asking the patient and without charging extra money for it.

The IVF success rate depends on the age of the woman and the cause of infertility. The success rate reaches 70% for every embryo transfer attempt in women younger than 35 years. In vitro fertilization leads to a live-birth in 90% of cases if the couple does not give up.

Embryo implantation is a very complex process involving many factors related to the embryo itself, to the uterus and to the uterine conditions. In contrast to what patients think, embryo glue is not really a GLUE, it is a substance that is added to the transfer media that is suggested to protect the embryo during the transfer process and to increase its chances of implantation. The efficiency of this substance is still debated and it does not guarantee implantation.

All recent studies show that a woman can get back to her normal life directly after transfer. She can climb stairs, kneel to catch things from the floor, drive for a long distance, take a shower, sleep in any position, catch a flight…

The goal of this step is to have a high number of eggs (more eggs = more embryos = more chances of having a baby). Each cycle, a woman generally ovulates only one egg. This egg can be of good or bad quality; it can get fertilized by the sperm or not; the embryo obtained can undergo normal early development or not; it can implant or not. Hence, when we undergo a burdensome IVF cycle, we stimulate the ovaries using hormonal injections in order to obtain the biggest number of eggs possible and have better chances in obtaining a good embryo that will lead to a pregnancy.