Preparation

• tests for hormones (estradiol, FSH, prolactin, progesterone, luteinizing hormone, androgens, and thyroid hormones);
• gynecological examination (smear on the flora, cytological analysis of the cervical canal contents);
• ultrasound
• tests for infections (ureaplasma, chlamydia, herpes, mycoplasma, Trichomonas, gonorrhea, human papillomavirus and cytomegalovirus, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis, toxoplasmosis, rubella antibodies);
• blood (general, biochemical, glucose, hemostasis, etc.) and urine tests (general);
• for a man - a spermogram, testing for infections
• according to indications, the reproductologist can recommend: hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, hysterosonography and other instrumental examinations.

Sperm donor selection

The reproductologist, together with the patient, selects a donor according to the desired phenotypic (hair color, eyes, height, weight, nationality, etc.). One of the important requirements for a donor is the presence of their own children, as well as the Rh factor of the donor and the patient in order to exclude the Rh conflict and the risk of miscarriage.

Selection of a surrogate mother

The reproductive specialist selects a surrogate mother. One of the important requirements for a surrogate mother is the age of up to 35 years, the presence of her own healthy children, without pathology and bad habits, as well as a defined Rhesus factor to eliminate the Rhesus conflict and the risk of miscarriage.

Synchronization of the cycles of a woman and a surrogate mother

To synchronize the cycle of a woman and a surrogate mother, and prepare the optimal period for implantation of the embryo into the uterine cavity, the surrogate mother’s endometrium is prepared. To do this, hormonal medications are administered in order for the endometrium to grow and the embryo could be implantated in the uterine cavity.

Stimulation of donor ovulation

For the effectiveness of the IVF program, it is necessary to obtain a sufficient number of eggs from the oocyte donor. To do this, stimulation is carried out with hormonal medications, under the influence of which a large number of follicles grows in a woman. The reproductologist observes the growth of follicles and controls it using the ultrasound method. When the follicles reach a certain size, egg retrieval is carried out.
Stage duration: 8-14 days.

Receiving eggs

Egg retrieval is carried out by transvaginal puncture, which is performed under light anesthesia, so it is absolutely painless. Egg retrieval is absolutely harmless to the woman's body.
Duration: about 30 min.

Obtaining spermatozoa

A man donates sperm under special conditions for subsequent fertilization. Before donating biological material, it is recommended for a man: to refrain from intimacy for 2-3 days, to exclude alcohol and overheating (saunas and baths) for 7-10 days.
Duration: 30 min.

In vitro fertilization

Fertilization of the obtained donor eggs with the sperm of a man is carried out in vitro. Embryos are placed in an incubator, which is as close as possible to the conditions of the female body, for 3-5 days. Within 3-5 days, the embryologist monitors the condition of the embryos in the incubator. The indicators, which are displayed on the monitor, are monitored every minute.
Duration: 3-5 days.

Introduction of the embryo into the uterine cavity

When the embryos reach a certain stage of development, on the 5th-6th day they are transferred to the uterine cavity of the surrogate mother. The transfer is carried out using a special elastic catheter. The procedure is painless and therefore does not require anesthesia.
Duration: 5-10 min.

Hormonal support for a surrogate mother

After the embryo transfer into the uterine cavity of the surrogate mother, a special hormonal support for the surrogate mother’s body is carried out for 2 weeks to maintain the pregnancy.
Duration: 14 days.

Confirmation of pregnancy

After the end of hormonal support, a pregnancy test is performed, and 10-12 days later, an ultrasound scan is performed.
Duration: 24-28 days.