How to evaluate your clinic’s IVF lab
The IVF clinic, including an IVF lab, often seems to be a mysterious place to couples who visit an IVF clinic in Kolkata. Patients often wonder what happens in the IVF lab, so we wanted to provide more information regarding that. But first, let’s see why an IVF lab is also so important?
Why is an IVF lab important?
A significant part of IVF is fertilizing eggs with sperm and the development of the embryos. The IVF clinic’s lab is where the embryos grow. The lab must have the appropriate conditions for embryo development. This is why you must mandatorily check the lab standards when considering IVF.
Factors to consider when choosing an IVF Clinic
IVF Clinic experience: Find out the number of years the chosen IVF clinic in Kolkata has been in practice and the number of IVF cycles they perform every year. When it comes to IVF, each case brings a new learning experience, and an IVF clinic that handles a greater number of cycles is likely to better understand the process, complications, and factors that enhance success rates.
Embryologist and technician skills: The embryologists and technicians who are handling your gametes and embryos must be experienced and well-trained professionals. IVF is a technique sensitive procedure that requires expertise from all those who are involved in the process. It is essential to learn more about the experience of those involved.
Staff numbers: If the chosen IVF clinic happens to be overstaffed, they may not be getting enough experience, while if the same is understaffed, they may be extremely stressed and that can result in inefficiency. You can try finding out more about the embryologist handling your case. Another wise thing to do would be to ask if the IVF clinic has a backup embryologist, in case the individual is unavailable for some reason.
IVF cycles are planned around your menstrual cycle. So, the embryologist must be willing to do the procedure even on his/her off-day, if required. In a big hospital, where ample support is available, the embryologist could handle 200-250 cases annually but in any stand-alone IVF clinic, the number may be too high.
Incubators: An incubator is a place where embryos are cultivated. It is unclear what concentration of oxygen can provide the highest success rates after IVF but research suggests that a lower concentration of oxygen may be more beneficial.
If incubators are preserved in a concentration of 20% oxygen, it isn’t a good sign. You should look for an IVF clinic where the lab grows embryos in 5% or even lower concentrations of oxygen. Such rates have proven to enhance the rate of live births following IVF.
Lab protocols: Does your chosen IVF clinic’s lab have strict protocols regarding embryo cultivation and egg fertilization? A good IVF clinic will have everything monitored by experts and each individual involved will know his part in the job. You may even want to ask how the lab ensures that the integrity of patients’ specimens is preserved and how they handle frozen gametes and also the embryos.
Cleanliness: IVF is a delicate, sophisticated procedure and needs to be carried out under appropriate conditions. IVF centers in Kolkata need to maintain non-negotiable hygiene protocols. If you have chosen an IVF clinic in Kolkata that is not very clean, chances are that their lab may not be either. Be alert and make the right move.
Equipment and air filtration system: Contaminants like microbes, suspended particles, perfumes, etc. can be harmful to the embryo. Ask about the IVF clinic’s lab air conditioning, ventilation, heating, and how frequently air in the lab is recycled. Per protocol, air needs to be recycled about 20 times each hour. You must also probe regarding which culture media and handling apparatus are used/available in the IVF clinic’s lab?
Light and temperature control: Embryos are sensitive to changes in light and temperature and you must check how your lab handles the environment in which the embryo is. Will they be able to provide reliable backup in case there is a sudden power interruption?
