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Have you ever seen a baby smile for no apparent reason while sleeping? According to an ancient Turkish belief that stretches from Anatolia to Central Asia, the baby is not alone at that moment; it is speaking with Umay Ana, the oldest and most compassionate guardian in Turkish mythology. Although she is on the verge of being forgotten today, Umay Ana has been recognized for thousands of years in Turkish culture as the greatest protector of life, fertility, mothers, and children. Umay Ana is the Turkish equivalent of the “Mother Earth” or “Mother Goddess” figures found in other cultures. So, who is this divine feminine figure in Turkish culture, and…

The primary goal of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment is to achieve a healthy pregnancy. However, in some couples, a low ovarian reserve or the quality of the retrieved eggs or embryos not meeting the desired standards in every cycle (menstrual cycle) can complicate the process. In other words, while some patients may produce a sufficient number of embryos in a single treatment cycle, others may produce a more limited number. At the UMAY IVF Center, we develop customized solutions tailored to each patient’s unique biology; we increase the chances of pregnancy—particularly in patients with low egg reserves—by frequently using the “Embryo Pooling Method.” So, what is the embryo pooling…

Today, rapid advances in assisted reproductive technologies (reproductive technologies) not only increase the chances of success for couples hoping to have a child but also make the pregnancy process much safer. One of the most critical steps directly affecting success in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment is selecting the healthiest embryo with the highest potential for implantation into the prospective mother’s uterus. In short, embryo selection is one of the most crucial stages of IVF treatment. While the embryo’s development and morphological characteristics observed under a microscope are important, it is not possible to obtain definitive information about its chromosomal structure based solely on its external appearance. Thanks to advances…

For couples planning a pregnancy, the evaluation should not focus solely on the woman. Taking the right steps throughout the treatment process is the first rule for making the most efficient use of time for couples who dream of becoming parents. Although women’s health is often the first thing that comes to mind when pregnancy cannot be achieved, approximately 50% of infertility cases are due to male factors. Starting with a semen analysis is the correct approach. One of the most fundamental tests for evaluating male fertility is the semen analysis. A semen analysis is a basic laboratory examination that evaluates the volume of the ejaculate (semen sample), sperm count,…

A semen analysis (sperm test) is one of the first evaluations performed for couples embarking on the journey to have a child. This test provides a clear picture of a man’s reproductive potential by examining critical parameters such as sperm count, motility, and morphology. The Kruger Criteria (Strict Criteria) are widely recognized as one of the most reliable and precise methods for evaluating sperm quality. At Umay IVF Center, we evaluate sperm morphology using these rigorous criteria to increase the success of IVF treatment and create the right, personalized treatment plan. So, what exactly do the Kruger criteria mean, and how do they affect the chances of pregnancy? In evaluating…

Success in IVF treatment is closely related not only to egg and embryo quality but also to the characteristics of the sperm used for fertilization. For this reason, sperm preparation and selection in IVF laboratories is one of the key stages of treatment. In recent years, one of the methods aimed at bringing sperm selection closer to physiological conditions is microchip sperm selection, also known as microfluidic sperm selection. So, what is microchip sperm selection? How is it performed? Does it reduce sperm DNA fragmentation? Should it be used for every IVF patient? What is microchip (microfluidic chip) sperm selection? Microchip sperm selection is a modern sperm preparation method that…

How is IVF performed? How long does IVF treatment take? When do the injections start? Is the egg retrieval procedure painful? How is embryo transfer performed? What is the success rate of IVF? What is IVF? IVF (in vitro fertilization) is a procedure in which reproductive cells obtained from a woman and a man are brought together in a laboratory setting to achieve fertilization, and the resulting embryo is transferred into the uterus. Fertilization can be achieved using the conventional IVF method, or—when necessary due to factors such as low sperm count or poor motility—through ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), in which a single sperm is injected directly into the egg.…

For many couples planning to have children, timing is of the utmost importance. In particular, a woman’s age is one of the most important factors affecting the success of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment, just as it does with natural conception. However, it is important to remember that age alone is not the sole determining factor, as each individual’s health status and reproductive potential vary. So, what is the ideal age for IVF treatment? Is treatment possible at an advanced age? How does the chance of success change as a woman gets older? In this article, we examine the role of age in IVF treatment in light of scientific data…

One of the most common questions asked by couples planning to have a child but unable to conceive naturally is, “Which is more appropriate: artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization (IVF)?” Although both methods are forms of assisted reproductive technology, their procedures, success rates, and reasons for being chosen differ from one another. The right treatment choice is determined based on the woman’s age, the cause of infertility, her treatment history, and the results of the evaluations. For this reason, the most suitable method may vary for each couple. In this article, we compare intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments and explain under which circumstances each method…