Ultrasound plays an essential role in IVF clinics, as it allows for the monitoring of ovarian stimulation and the progress of follicle growth. This is important because in vitro fertilization (IVF) depends on the collection of mature eggs for fertilization in the lab.
Ultrasound is used during the IVF process to first ensure that the ovaries are healthy, and that there are no abnormalities or cysts present that could compromise IVF success. Once stimulation medication is administered, ultrasound is used to monitor the growth of follicles, or fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries that contain the eggs.
Ultrasound imaging facilitates the accurate measurement of follicle size and allows for the selection of the optimal time for egg retrieval. The ultrasound-guided aspiration procedure involves collecting the mature eggs from the follicles in the ovaries, which is essential to the IVF process. Additionally, ultrasound can be used during embryo transfer to ensure proper placement of the embryos in the uterus.
An ideal ultrasound machine in IVF would have several important features: