The role of an IVF
clinic is not confined to assisting the patients in overcoming their struggle
against infertility but also extends to providing them with ample documentation
of the treatment protocol. The documentation includes the photos of the embryos
produced during the procedure. Together, these photos and documents serve the
purpose of proving the quality of treatment provided by the IVF clinic, and
also help the specialists establish the cause of failure of the procedure, if
it happens.
Starting
with the Basics
The lab synthesis of
embryo is the starting point of the IVF treatment as it marks the beginning of
life. Basically, the embryo is formed by the fertilization of the egg with the
sperm, as the sperm delivers its genetic information (chromosomes) to the egg
and conception takes place. At the first stage of its conception, the embryo is
known as the zygote.
The couples who are not
able to conceive naturally can rely upon IVF for the successful synthesis of
embryos in the laboratory. This is done in a lab dish, as the sperms are
combined with the eggs and cultured in a fluid called the culture medium. The
embryo is allowed to grow to day 3 or day 5 stage, after which it is transferred
into the uterus for implantation.
It is to be remembered that all embryos that
are transferred in the uterus do not have the potential to implant there or
grow into a fruitful pregnancy. As such, the quality of the embryos makes a
real difference in the success rate of the procedure. Therefore, it is
essential for the specialist to choose the best quality embryos for
implantation to maximize the chances.
Embryo
photographs- A guide to embryo quality
When a woman is treated
with IVF, she is subjected to ovarian stimulation and as a result, multiple
eggs are produced. The clinic fertilizes the ones with the best quality with
the sperms of the male partner to get multiple embryos. Here, it is up to the
embryologist to choose the best amongst them for implantation.
The embryos are rated
according to their external appearance, which is checked out through
microscopic examination. Technically, a high quality embryo is going to have
two pronuclei on the first day after fertilization, followed by 4 cells on day
2 and 8 on the day 3. It becomes compact on day 4, with the individual cell
becoming indiscernible and the day 5 embryo becomes a blastocyst, comprising of
as many as a hundred cells.
Also, good quality
embryos have uniform sized cells and have no or very few fragments. The best
way to judge the embryo quality is to study its microscopic images and this is
how the embryologists pick the best one for implantation. For this reason, the
IVF specialists take photos of the embryos at various stages and keep them as
documentation records.
Can
a patient demand for the embryo photos?
A patient is fully
entitled to have a look at the embryos to appraise its quality along the
various developmental stages. Similarly, they have the right to demand for the
embryo images from the clinic, because, after all, they are paying a
considerable amount of money for the treatment and it is the duty of the clinic
to show them how well the job is being done.
In case of IVF failure,
the patient may switch over to another clinic for the subsequent attempts. The
new specialist can actually use the photos to make out the exact cause of IVF
failure, whether it has happened due to poor quality of the embryo or any other
reason, and treatment can be provided accordingly. Also, there is an emotional
aspect of preserving these pictures as this is the embryo which is actually
going to become their baby in the future.
While some people may
have a misconception that taking pictures of the embryo may cause harm to them,
there is not even a little truth to this notion. The embryo is perfectly safe
on being photographed and these photos may actually be of great help in the
appraisal of the situation and further treatment. Also, the provision of photos
strengthens the trust of the patient in the quality of care made available to
them by the clinic.
What
is to be done if the clinic refuses to provide the photos of the embryo?
By and far, the clinic
cannot refuse to provide the photos of the embryo to the patient and the latter
can demand the same, because as customers of the clinic, they are entitled to
comprehensive services. While the implantation of the embryo and IVF success is
not in the hands of the clinic, a good one can actually influence the quality
of the embryo.
The purpose of embryo
photos is to confirm the quality of embryos. Patients can have a look at the
photos of embryo developmental on the internet and compare them with those of
their own. Awareness of their rights can help them get the best treatment and
value for their hard-earned money.
Gaudium
IVF is a trusted name in the field of IVF treatment as it looks for the best
interest of the patients all through the treatment. For seeking the expert
second opinion from Dr Manika Khanna, visit the clinic today.
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