Stimulation of the Ovaries

The stimulation of the ovaries is a drug treatment applied to the mother-to-be to obtain multiple eggs during egg retrieval. This increases the chances of embryos that will be transferred to the mother's uterus.

The mother-to-be, whose ovaries are stimulated with drug treatment, is regularly monitored by ultrasound and the maturation of the eggs is checked. Mature eggs are collected from inside the uterus using ultrasound. The collected embryos are transferred to the laboratory, and the quality ones are selected.

During this process, a semen sample is taken from the father-to-be. These samples are examined in the laboratory, and the best quality ones are selected with the ICSI procedure. They are injected into the eggs. The resulting embryos are transferred to a special growth area.

When the embryos grow to about 7-8 cells and are determined to be healthy, they are transferred to the mother's uterus. The transfer process is completed in about 15 minutes with the help of an ultrasound.

How Are the Ovaries Stimulated in IVF Treatment?

A basic ultrasound examination is performed on the second or third day of the menstrual period to stimulate the ovaries. Then, the condition of the uterus and ovaries is analyzed, and estrogen hormone levels in the blood are checked.

Then, the drug dose to be used in the egg stimulation process is determined. After the stimulation treatment begins, the condition of the mother-to-be is monitored at regular intervals. During these checks, the number and growth rates of the follicles are observed.

It may be necessary to check estrogen levels in the blood during these controls. The goal of the treatment is to produce as many follicles as possible with a diameter of 16-20 mm. During the monitoring phase, estrogen levels in the blood are checked, and the drug dose may be adjusted again.

Ovary stimulation lasts for 10 to 11 days. However, the duration of treatment may vary depending on the condition of the mother-to-be. Egg retrieval is performed 32-36 hours after the triggering injection.

Egg Retrieval in IVF Treatment

Another factor evaluated during ultrasound monitoring of the ovaries is the structure and thickness of the layer called the endometrium that lines the inside of the uterus. When pregnancy occurs, the healthy embryo is transferred to the uterine tissue (endometrium).

This is very important for the success of IVF treatment. If the endometrium is 6 mm or thinner on the day of the HCG injection, the chance of pregnancy and thus the success rate of IVF treatment decreases.

An endometrial thickness greater than 14 mm can also have a negative effect. After egg retrieval, the process moves on to the embryo transfer stage in IVF treatment.