In recent years, assisted reproductive technologies have evolved, and now treatments like IVF are trending among infertile couples as a ray of hope.
In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the process of developing an embryo, fertilising it in a lab environment, and then placing it back in the woman’s uterus.
But during the procedure, many surplus embryos are left after the success of IVF to achieve pregnancy. In such cases, either these surplus embryos are donated to another couple, researched, or dispersed.
Another option has emerged among couples “compassionate transfer IVF” to handle these extra embryos.
This blog aims to discuss the IVF compassionate transfer embryo, including what it is. What is the process of ‘compassionate transfer IVF’? Also, address some common questions people often ask as the best IVF center in Amritsar, Punjab.
What is Compassionate Transfer IVF?
Compassionate transfer IVF, commonly referred to as compassionate transfer of embryos, is a practice within in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment that involves the thoughtful management of surplus embryos.
This approach considers the emotional well-being of patients by offering them the choice to use their surplus embryos in future IVF cycles if the current pregnancy fails.
In the event that pregnancy is successful, these surplus embryos can be used to donate them to others trying to conceive, to science for research purposes, or to discontinue their use. In some cases of compassionate transfer, women consider undergoing embryo transfer at a time when they are least likely to conceive. They do this to gain an understanding of their natural disposition and to allow themselves to grieve the loss of a potential child.
It aims to provide patients with a sense of closure and emotional support during the IVF process, recognizing the complex decisions and emotions involved in fertility treatment.
Process of Compassionate Transfer IVF in India:
In traditional IVF procedures, multiple embryos are often created, but not all are transferred to the uterus. So the management of these extra embryos is managed under compassionate transfer IVF.
Here is the IVF compassionate transfer process –
Initial Expert Consultation:
The journey of assisted reproduction begins with an initial expert consultation. During this crucial phase, the fertility specialist conducts a thorough evaluation of the patient’s medical history, performs a physical examination, and may recommend certain diagnostic tests to assess fertility potential.
This consultation serves as the foundation for developing a personalised treatment plan tailored to the individual’s specific needs and circumstances.
Ovarian Stimulation and Trigger Shot:
Following the initial consultation, the next step in the IVF process is ovarian stimulation. Using fertility drugs to encourage the ovaries to produce an abundance of eggs is part of this process.
The dosage and duration of medication are carefully monitored to optimise egg development while minimising the risk of complications.
Once the eggs reach the desired maturity, a trigger shot is administered to induce final maturation and prepare the eggs for retrieval. This crucial step is timed precisely to ensure that the eggs are retrieved at the optimal stage of development.
Egg Retrieval and Sperm Collection:
A minimally invasive surgical procedure carried out under sedation is egg retrieval. Using ultrasound guidance, the fertility specialist retrieves the mature eggs from the ovaries using a thin needle. Simultaneously, the male partner provides a semen sample, which is processed in the laboratory to isolate high-quality sperm for fertilisation.
Fertilisation and Embryo Culture:
In the laboratory, the retrieved eggs are fertilised with the processed sperm using conventional insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) techniques. The fertilised eggs, now embryos, are cultured in a controlled environment to promote development and growth.
Embryo Selection and Transfer:
Embryo selection is a critical step in the IVF process, where the embryologist examines the developing embryos for quality and selects the most viable ones for transfer. This selection is based on various criteria, including the number of cells, symmetry, and presence of fragmentation.
The final step in the traditional IVF process is the embryo transfer, where the selected embryos are carefully placed into the uterus using a thin catheter. There is usually no pain involved in this procedure, and anesthesia is not needed.
Blood Test & Pregnancy Confirmation:
To find out if the IVF cycle was successful, a pregnancy test is carried out about two weeks following the embryo transfer. This test measures the level of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone in the blood or urine, which is produced by the developing embryo.
Compassionate Transfer IVF:
In some cases, patients may choose to undergo a compassionate transfer, where frozen embryos from a previous IVF cycle are thawed and transferred into the uterus.
This approach offers patients an additional chance at pregnancy without undergoing a full IVF cycle.
In the event that pregnancy is successful, these surplus embryos can be used to donate them to others trying to conceive, to science for research purposes, or to discontinue their use.
In some cases of compassionate transfer, women consider undergoing embryo transfer at a time when they are least likely to conceive. They do this to gain an understanding of their natural disposition and to allow themselves to grieve the loss of a potential child.
Some Questions Related to Compassionate Transfer IVF:
Other than process of IVF compassionate transfer, here are some commonly asked questions that you also might have –
How much does compassionate transfer cost?
While the true cost of compassionate transfer depends on the hospital’s reputation, number of cycles, location, and health of females, in India, an average compassionate transfer IVF costs Rs 45,000 per cycle.
How are normal IVF and compassionate transfers different?
In a normal or traditional IVF approach, multiple embryos are transferred to the uterus in order to increase the chance of pregnancy. Whereas in compassionate transfer, the single embryo transfer (CET) approach is followed.
Can you get pregnant with a compassionate transfer?
Yes, since embryos in compassionate transfer are the same as during the last cycle, it is absolutely possible to get pregnant. However, the timing matters most.
Researchers conclude that compassionate transfer is performed to manage extra embryos after a successful pregnancy. These embryos are transferred at a time when the chance of pregnancy is lowest. But yes, if your previous attempt fails, these embryos have the same pregnancy success rate as the previous IVF procedure.
Conclusion:
Compassionate transfer in IVF is a way to manage extra embryos that remain after a successful pregnancy in in-vitro fertilisation. These embryos are either donated, transferred for scientific research, or discarded. Another approach that some women follow is to transfer these embryos back to their uterus at a time when there is the least chance to conceive and the embryo will have perished.
If your IVF cycle fails and you are looking for compassionate transfer IVF, Vardaan Medical Center is your one-stop IVF center in Jalandhar, Punjab. Even if you have achieved your pregnancy and offered donor or research programs for your embryos, we will help you in every way possible. To get more accurate knowledge and details about the treatment procedure, get in touch with our expert at +91 9814021991.
