Original | Pregnancy
Summary: For mothers older than 42 years old, the success rate of IVF is only 3.9%.
Moms, how long did you wait to conceive your baby?
Yesterday, I received a lot of good news about pregnancy in the mother group. Several mothers moved from the pregnancy preparation group to the expectant mother group. After reading the mothers’ pregnancy preparation experience, I can understand the joy. It is really good.
Many lucky mothers get pregnant in one go, or wait for the baby to arrive in a month or two. However, some mothers who are preparing to become pregnant have been preparing for pregnancy for 1, 3, or 6 years. They have had expectations and have collapsed, but in order to be able to get pregnant, Having their own babies, they never gave up.
Two days ago, Taiwanese actor Zhao Xiaoqiao shared her pregnancy preparation experience on Weibo. At the age of 41, her in vitro fertilization failed.
Speaking of Zhao Xiaoqiao, many mothers may not be familiar with it, but everyone must be familiar with the dramas she plays. In "The Prince Turns into a Frog" and "Smiling Pasta", she is a classic female supporting role, and her appearance is not inferior to that of the heroine.
Zhao Xiaoqiao shared her entire process of in vitro fertilization on the second day of the New Year. She took 20 injections and retrieved 13 eggs, 9 of which were successfully fertilized and 3 of which survived healthily. However, all of them failed after being implanted in the uterus.
Regarding the matter of children, Zhao Xiaoqiao has always let nature take its own course. Because she is also afraid of injections, she took matters into her own hands when it came to her children until she was 40 years old.
But as she got older and reached 40 years old, she felt that she was really not good enough and that she really needed some means to have children.
At first she chose artificial insemination , but it failed, and in the end she had no choice but to do in vitro fertilization.
When he first did in vitro fertilization, Xiaoqiao had a good attitude. Although he was afraid of injections, he still mustered up the courage to try.
During this whole process, she experienced injections, taking medicine, and side effects. Finally, when it came to the pregnancy test day, she thought the doctor would say to her: "Congratulations, you have a baby." But the result was exactly like what she saw on TV. The acting was different, and she failed.
This result was actually unexpected by Zhao Xiaoqiao, because he has always been a top-notch baby, with no physical illness, and her husband is also in good health. Even the doctor said: You don’t need to take so many doses of ovulation shots, because your eggs grow quickly and well.
After the egg retrieval and fertilization, the survival was smooth, but after implantation, all failed.
In the two days after knowing the result, Zhao Xiaoqiao collapsed. She said: "Why is it me? It's obviously so good." It turns out that there are some things that you won't succeed even if you try hard, and you won't succeed even if you put in the effort. There is gain.
Zhao Xiaoqiao, who has always been positive and optimistic, quickly recovered her mood after the collapse. She feels that she is actually quite lucky. During the entire test tube process, she did not suffer much, and she did not suffer from those hormone-stimulating drugs. The most severe reaction is just some swelling in the chest, back, and stomach.
She also shared the experiences of some of her friends. One of her friends had done in vitro fertilization for 8 years, and had failed numerous times during this period. She also suffered from nausea, vomiting, and even severe edema due to drug reactions.
Zhao Xiaoqiao feels that she is already very lucky. She also wants to share her experience to tell all mothers who are struggling on the road to pregnancy preparation: Keep working hard, I will not give up, I will work hard with you, and I will accompany you on the road to pregnancy preparation. you.
At the end of the video, Zhao Xiaoqiao said: I would like to remind all male friends to hug their mothers and wives when they go back, because when it comes to giving birth to a child, whether it is in vitro fertilization, artificial insemination or natural conception, Girls really, really work hard, so you must love them more.
Becoming a mother is really not easy! I hope to hear good news from Zhao Xiaoqiao and all pregnant mothers as soon as possible.
According to a report compiled by the Society of Reproductive Medicine, the success rate of IVF is directly related to age:
For mothers older than 42 years old, the success rate of IVF is only 3.9%. For 41-year-old Zhao Xiaoqiao, the success rate of IVF is only 3.9%. The success rate is only 11.8%, so even in vitro fertilization is a very big challenge for her.
Not only age, the success rate of IVF is related to many factors.
1. Pregnancy history
If you have had a previous pregnancy and had a baby at term, you may be able to get pregnant again through IVF, regardless of whether you have received ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) treatment.
If you have had recurrent miscarriages in the past, this may make IVF more difficult and affect the success rate, as it may indicate that you are facing unique infertility challenges that result in your body not being able to cope well with IVF. Do not voluntarily give up on IVF because you have had a miscarriage. Your doctor will help you find the reasons to reduce pregnancy loss and advise you on the best plan.
2. Types of Fertility Problems
In vitro fertilization is a good option that can help patients and couples solve a wide range of common fertility problems. Infertility caused by factors such as endometriosis or blocked fallopian tubes, ovulation problems, or infertility caused by male factors such as low sperm count or motility often respond well to IVF. Unfortunately, there are other fertility issues associated with lower IVF success rates, such as:
① Uterine Abnormalities and Fibroids: Sometimes, patients have difficulty carrying a pregnancy to term due to structural problems in the uterus or benign fibroids. Both problems can make implantation and normal growth of the embryo difficult or impossible. However, sometimes problems like this can be solved with surgery, making pregnancy (with or without the help of IVF) possible.
② Ovarian dysfunction: ovarian problems, such as high follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, indicate low ovarian reserve , or poor egg quality, which may mean that in vitro fertilization of your own eggs may be less successful.
③ Dual infertility factors: If you and your partner are both struggling with infertility issues, IVF may be difficult to solve both aspects of the problem. A careful examination and an in-depth consultation with a fertility specialist will give you a better understanding of your situation.
④ Duration of couple’s infertility: From the data, the success rate of IVF for couples who have been infertile for many years will decrease with the passage of time. In practice, only you and your doctor can decide whether this is an important factor in your case.
3. Egg Quality
For older patients, or those who are most concerned about ovarian reserve and egg quality, choosing to use donated eggs may have a better chance of success than using your own eggs for IVF.
4, lifestyle
Although most factors that affect the success of IVF are outside your control, with the help of your doctor, you may be able to improve your success rate by addressing these lifestyle issues.
① Smoking. Smoking has serious reproductive consequences for both men and women. Research has found that sperm from male smokers reduces fertilization rates, and embryos from these sperm have lower implantation rates.In female smokers, the ovaries age faster and their uteruses are less receptive. Overall, IVF cycle outcomes were found to be significantly worse in female smokers, who may need twice as many IVF cycles to become pregnant.
② Overweight and obesity. Research shows being overweight can have a big impact on the success of IVF. Obesity changes the way your body processes fertility drugs and hormones, and can also affect your menstrual cycle and ovulation. It can also make it more difficult to carry a baby to term.
5. The quality of the laboratory
The laboratory plays a vital role in in vitro fertilization. Careful culture before fertilization and embryo transfer requires a pristine environment. A good IVF laboratory will go above and beyond the basic requirements to ensure that the embryos get the best possible start.
① Embryologist’s qualifications and experience. such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or assisted hatching to increase the chance of a successful cycle. A highly qualified and experienced embryologist is invaluable during these critical times.
②Air quality. Microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi can adversely affect the development of the embryo, so good air quality must be maintained. Specially designed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units should be equipped with charcoal filters and high-efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filters, as well as enough air pressure to completely change the air in a room 20 times per hour.
③Temperature and light. Both factors are crucial during the first hours and days of development. Maintaining the embryo's body temperature and filtering UV rays are two ways to eliminate stress that can impair growth.
6. Choosing a fertility clinic
Choosing a fertility clinic is a very personal decision and one of the most important factors in the success of IVF. Because they are involved at every stage of the process, your fertility specialist will have a huge impact on your IVF experience.
①Staff experience and training. Where your doctors, nurses and technicians were trained, and how long they have been practicing in the field is important. Don’t be afraid to ask about their qualifications and how they keep up with new developments in IVF and fertility medicine.
②The age and fertility problems of the patients accepted. While every case is individual, a successful clinic with a similar situation may be able to offer you a higher IVF success rate.
③Success rate. Your fertility clinic should have a solid track record, but how they measure success really matters. Specific numbers you should ask about include:
● Conception rate per embryo transferred
● Pregnancy rate by couple age
● Live birth rate per IVF cycle
● Multiple pregnancy rate
So what is the IVF process? Let’s first talk about what exactly is in vitro fertilization?
In vitro fertilization (also known as IVF) is one of the medical procedures that helps cope with infertility.
In vitro fertilization is a baby created outside a woman's body through a scientific process called in vitro fertilization, or in vitro fertilization treatment. The entire process is completed in the laboratory. During this process, eggs are removed from the ovaries and fertilized outside the body.
The fertilized eggs are cultured for 2-6 days and then transferred to the mother's uterus.
The specific techniques vary from hospital to hospital, but IVF usually involves the following steps:
1. Suppressing the natural menstrual cycle
The mother will receive a drug, usually in the form of daily injections for about 2 weeks, to suppress her natural menstrual cycle. menstrual cycle.
2. Promote ovulation
In order to improve the success rate of IVF, multiple eggs are usually needed. The doctor will give the mother fertility drugs containing the fertility hormone follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). FSH causes the ovaries to produce more eggs than usual.
Vaginal ultrasound scans can monitor the progress of the ovaries.
3. Egg Retrieval
The eggs are collected through a minor surgery called "follicular aspiration." A very thin needle is inserted into the vagina and into the ovaries. The needle is connected to the suction device. The eggs are then removed, and this step is repeated several times.
Researchers recommend collecting 15 eggs from the ovaries in one cycle for the highest chance of successful pregnancy. Frozen eggs can also be used.
4. Artificial insemination and embryo cultivation
The collected eggs are put together with the sperm and kept in an environmentally controlled room. After a few hours, the sperm should enter the egg.
Sperm can also be injected directly into the egg. This is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Frozen sperm obtained through testicular biopsy can be used with the same success rate as fresh sperm.
After the fertilized egg divides and becomes an embryo, at this point, some testing centers offer preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD), which can screen the embryo for genetic diseases. This is somewhat controversial and not always used.
Select one or two best embryos for transfer.
The woman is then given progesterone or human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) to help the lining of the uterus accept the embryo.
5. Embryo transfer
The doctor will place more than one embryo in the uterus. It is important that doctors discuss with the couple hoping to have a baby how many embryos should be transferred. Typically, doctors can only transfer more than one embryo if there are no ideal embryos.
A thin tube or catheter is used to transfer the embryos. It enters the uterus through the vagina. When the embryo sticks to the lining of the uterus, healthy embryonic growth can begin.
There are also some risks in choosing in vitro fertilization. For example, Zhao Xiaoqiao suffered from body swelling and pain due to hormonal stimulation, and some mothers also suffered from edema and vomiting.
1. Side effects of medications
Some women may react to the medications given during treatment. Possible side effects of IVF medications include:
● Nausea and vomiting
● Difficulty breathing
● Irritability
● Hot flashes
● Enlarged ovaries
● Trouble sleeping
● Abdominal pain
● Weight gain
● Repeated daily injections can also cause bruising.
2. Health Risks for Mom
Fertility drugs may cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Although this is rare, it does occur. It occurs when the ovaries overreact to gonadotropins, so the ovaries Too many eggs can be produced. May cause severe abdominal swelling and shortness of breath.
If OHSS occurs, your doctor may recommend restarting the entire cycle with a lower dose of gonadotropins.
3, Multiples
When more than one embryo is transferred into the uterus, the likelihood of twins, triplets, or more babies is higher.
Pregnancy with multiples may result in:
●Premature birth or low birth weight
●Doubling the mother's risk of diabetes
●A significant increase in the mother's blood pressure
Every fertility journey has an element of uncertainty, but The fertility clinic you choose can contribute a lot to the success of IVF by paying careful attention to every factor they control.
Millions of healthy babies have been born with the help of IVF, and IVF remains a great option for many people who are unable to conceive naturally but still want a baby.
The last thing I want to say is that the success rate of in vitro fertilization is not 100%. Medical technology accounts for 50%, and your own conditions account for 50%. You must adjust before doing in vitro fertilization. Keep your body in good shape!
So if you are an elderly woman and preparing for pregnancy, you must maintain a good attitude. Now that the second child is open and women’s mentality has changed, the number of pregnant women over 35 years old has doubled. Although pregnancy at advanced age is less than that at normal gestational age. There are indeed some risks, but as long as you take good care of yourself and adjust your body, you can also give birth to a healthy baby.
For older women preparing for pregnancy, you need to know that taking care of yourself is the best way to take care of your baby. Paying attention to these basic nursing knowledge can help you have a healthier pregnancy:
1. Make an appointment for an examination in advance.
Talk to the doctor. your physical health and discuss lifestyle changes that may improve your chances of getting pregnant, address any concerns you have about fertility and pregnancy, and also ask how you can increase your chances of conceiving.
2. Seek regular prenatal care
Regular prenatal checkups can help your doctor monitor your health and your baby's health. Tell your doctor about any signs or symptoms you are experiencing. Talking with your doctor may help you relax your mind and make your pregnancy easier.
3. Eat a healthy diet
During pregnancy, you need more folate, calcium, iron, vitamin D and other essential nutrients. If you're already eating a healthy diet, stick to it. Daily prenatal vitamins, ideally started a few months before pregnancy, can help fill the body's gaps.
4. Gain weight wisely
Getting the right weight supports your baby's health and makes it easier to lose excess weight after birth. You can work with your doctor to determine what's right for you.
5. Stay active
Regular physical activity can help relieve or even avoid discomfort, boost your energy levels and improve your overall health. It can also help you prepare for labor and delivery by increasing your endurance and muscle strength.
However, before starting task exercise, you should consult your doctor. If there are unhealthy factors in your body, you must adjust it to the doctor's satisfaction before proceeding.
6. Avoid dangerous substances
Alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs are prohibited during pregnancy. Any medications and supplements should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.
7. Learn about Prenatal testing for chromosomal abnormalities
Ask your doctor about prenatal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening, a method of screening developing babies for certain chromosomal abnormalities.
During prenatal cell-free DNA screening, maternal and fetal DNA is extracted from a maternal blood sample and screened for specific chromosomal problems such as Down syndrome, trisomy 13, and trisomy 18. Diagnostic tests, such as chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis, can also provide information about the baby's risk of chromosomal or specific chromosomal abnormalities, but there is also a risk of minor miscarriage. Your doctor will help you weigh these risks.
Finally, no matter what age you are giving birth, eating healthy, exercising, avoiding smoking and drinking, reducing stress, and getting enough rest can help you have a healthier pregnancy and delivery!
I hope that in the new year, all mothers preparing for pregnancy will receive good news!
reference article:
https://blog.scrcivf.com/what-factors-determine-ivf-success-rates
https://www.ivfauthority.com/ivf-weight-gain/
