Vitro Fertilization
Vitro fertilization is usually considered when all other assisted reproductive techniques have been unsuccessful. The fertility of a couple may be under question when they have been unable to get pregnant despite having unprotected sexual intercourse for more than a year.
Infertility has been on the rise and there are those who blame this trend on stress and unhealthy living styles. The Latin the term in vitro means 'in glass'. The history of in vitro fertilization goes back two decades when living tissue was cultivated outside the organism in a glass dish. In fact in vitro fertilisation babies are often referred to as test tube babies; though in fact the process of in vitro fertilization ivf is usually done in a Petri dish.
Vitro Fertilisation
ivf in vitro fertilization has brought hope to thousands of couples across the world. When no other method of assisted productive technology is found to work ivf is the last hope for many. The history of invitro fertilization is rich and includes scientists and doctors from across the globe, including countries such as Australia, China, UK and India. Ivf basically came about to help women with fallopian tube problems, but now is seen to be useful in numerous other infertility problems.
The Wonder of Human Fertilization
Your ivf clinic and doctor would monitor your ovulation and will most probably recommend a course of fertility injections that will facilitate the stimulation of multiple follicles. Gonadotrophins injections are usually given to monitor the changes in a woman's body. Ultrasounds and others tests may also be conducted to keep a track of the ovulation and hormone levels in the body.
When maturation of the follicles is considered to be optimum the eggs are removed from the body with the help of a needle that is guided by ultrasound. This process is conducted under general anaesthesia. The semen is prepared for fertilization in vitro and then is incubated together with the eggs for about 18-20 hours.
When fertilization occurs the egg is kept in a special medium that facilitates growth, for about two days. When the fertilised egg reaches about 6-8 cell growth it is considered viable for transfer into the woman's body. Usually about 3 embryos are placed in the woman's uterus.
Embryos are transferred into the woman's body only after they have been evaluated and the very best have been chosen. Ivf cost is high and couples and ivf clinics hope that the process is successful. In the US the rate of successful births after in vitro fertilisation is 27%.
Women of all ages and even those who are past their menopause are also able to bear children with the help of in vitro fertilization ivf.
Complications of Invitro Fertilization
Multiple births are a common complication of vitro pregnancies. The process is expensive and not easily available to all couples. To make things more difficult the success rate makes it even more stressful for the couple. Fortunately studies suggest that stress does not affect the success of fertilization in vitro. Couples need the support of their family, friends and the ivf clinic during the stressful process of in vitro fertilization.