How to prepare for IVF?
Being well prepared will increase the chance of a successful IVF. Parents should prepare themselves as follows;
Health Check-Up
It is important to have an initial health check to assess the readiness before conception. This is to prevent transmitted disease that can be passed on to the baby, including
– Testing for HIV
– Testing for Hepatitis B and C
– Testing for immunity for Rubella.
If no immunity, vaccination will be administered at least 1 month before starting treatment.
– Testing for Thalassemia. Whether parents have the disease or are carriers of the disease.
Taking care of your health
In addition to the health check-up, new parents should also take care of their health as well. Relax and get enough rest. Exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight. Eat healthy foods. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking. Start taking folic on a regular basis.
Advantages of PGT-A
(Preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidies)
An embryo has 46 chromosomes, 23 from the sperm and 23 from the egg. If we transfer an embryo with an abnormal number of chromosomes, it will not be implanted or will eventually
result in miscarriage. The benefits of PGT-A as following:
■ Increases the chance of conceiving Doctors will know which embryo has the correct and normal number of chromosomes. Making it possible to select a normal embryo to be implanted.
■ Reduces the risk of a miscarriage. Because one of the factors of miscarriage is an embryo with an abnormal chromosome.
■ Reduces the time to pregnancy Because the healthy embryo has a high chance of implantation and a lower chance of miscarriage.
■ Reduces the chance of having a child with an abnormal number of chromosomes that are the cause of various genetic diseases such as Down syndrome.
Who would a PGT-A be beneficial?
Nowaday, with IVF / ICSI, we can screen chromosomes of the embryo before transferring them back into the uterus or also known as ‘PGT- A’, which can help increase the chance of conceiving, reduce the risks of miscarriages and reduce the chance of having a child with abnormal chromosomes. Screening is recommended for couples with high risk or have the need for certain treatments
which are;
■ Married couples which the woman is over 35 years because there might be a higher risk of being pregnant with a baby with an abnormal chromosome.
■ Married couples who conceived naturally but have repeated miscarriages. Having more than 2 miscarriages during the first trimester.
■ In couple who had embryo transfer at least 2 times and unsuccessful.
■ In couples who had miscarriages and abnormal chromosomes result showed in the previous pregnancy.
■ In case of detecting abnormal chromosomes in couples
■ In cases of detecting disease or genetic abnormalities that runs in the family.
Written by
Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Reproductive Medicine