The reproductive problems in both men and women have been rising at a fast pace over the last decade. Late marriages, poor lifestyle choices, age, environmental factors, and stress are among the significant factors contributing to this growing infertility problem.
Infertility is the inability to conceive a child for over a year. There can be many reasons one may face difficulty in achieving pregnancy, including both female and male factors infertility. In such cases, your healthcare provider diagnoses the infertility issue after running some fertility tests and may recommend suitable fertility treatments like Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).
What is Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)?
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) involves fertility treatments and procedures to help couples who are unable to conceive naturally. ART treatment is a complex set of processes that include manipulating eggs, sperm, or embryos to increase the chances of implantation and successful pregnancy.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common and effective type of ART. For so many couples struggling with infertility, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is often seen as the last hope of having a child of their own. But what exactly is IVF? How does it work? And are there any risks involved? Here’s everything you need to know about this popular fertility treatment.
What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is the most common & popular type of fertility treatment used to help women conceive. IVF treatment involves removing eggs from the ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a lab. The fertilized eggs known as embryos are then placed in a woman’s uterus (womb) to develop and grow.
This type of fertility treatment can be used when there is a problem with the fallopian tubes or if the male partner has a low sperm count. IVF can also be used to test for genetic conditions before embryos are implanted into the uterus.
Since the first IVF-born baby, Louise Joy Brown successfully came to this world on July 25th, 1978, IVF has emerged as the most effective fertility treatment to make parenthood possible for infertile couples. Millions of babies have been born worldwide using In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
Difference Between In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) & Test Tube Baby
The term Test Tube Baby is used interchangeably with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). The phrase ‘in Vitro’ is a Latin term that means “within the glass.” And as the name suggests, the process involves creating an embryo outside of the body in a laboratory.
So, the baby conceived through the procedure, i.e., In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), is a Test Tube Baby, a non-medical term used by people to refer to IVF. So, there is no such difference between IVF and test-tube babies.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Procedure
IVF, or test tube baby, is a series of procedures to help couples who are unable to conceive a child for over a year and have been diagnosed with either male or female factor infertility or both. The procedure must be done under an experienced doctor’s supervision only.
The fertility doctor should have a good track record and be able to explain the procedure in detail, answer all your questions, and explain the risks and benefits of this procedure.
The IVF process starts with a consultation with the fertility doctor, where your medical history and essential fertility tests are taken. Some reputed fertility clinics also plan individualized IVF treatment based on your need & medical condition, followed by these steps –
- Stimulation of Ovaries
Fertility medications are used to stimulate female reproductive hormones like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) & Luteinizing hormone (LH) that trigger ovaries to produce more mature eggs. The ovarian response is measured through blood investigations and ultrasound at regular intervals.
- Egg Retrieval
It is a surgical procedure where a needle is inserted through a woman’s vagina to the ovaries to retrieve mature eggs using suction.
- Sperm Collection and Insemination
Partner’s sperm is collected to make it fertilize with the egg. The process is done in a laboratory in a Petri Dish at a controlled temperature to form the embryo. The embryos are constantly monitored and undergo genetic testing.
- Embryo Transfer
The prepared embryo or embryos are placed into the woman’s uterus on day 3 or day 5 stage of the embryo, i.e., known as a blastocyst. Some couples may also choose to freeze the blastocyst for future attempts of IVF or their personal decision. For frozen Blastocyst Transfer, preparing your uterus for blastocyst implantation is essential.
When to Consider Test Tube Baby?
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a good choice for those who can’t conceive a baby naturally for over a year without contraception or are diagnosed with infertility. This means that most people might not qualify for this treatment unless they have tried other fertility treatments without success and/or have a medical condition that makes it difficult or impossible for them to get pregnant naturally.
However, here we discuss 5 main reasons why one may need test tube baby treatment or IVF
Female Factor Infertility
According to data, at least 10% of women deal with infertility of some kind, and the chances of being infertile also increase as a woman ages. Your fertility doctor may diagnose you with infertility after several fertility tests and recommend medical interventions such as IVF.
The most common causes that contribute to infertility problems in females include –
- Damaged or blocked fallopian tube
- Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium, or lining of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Poor ovarian reserve
- Age
- Hormonal Problems
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a health condition caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones
- Poor egg quality
- Problems with Ovulation
- Uterine fibroids
Male Factor Infertility
To achieve pregnancy, a man’s sperm must combine with a female’s egg. However, in some cases, sperm might not reach the egg for fertilization or are of low quality hampering sperm penetration into an egg.
This might be a sign of male infertility that requires fertility treatment like IVF along with Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), a part of the conventional IVF treatment where the quality sperm are extracted surgically and injected directly into the egg for fertilization.
The most common causes of male infertility may include the following –
- Low Sperm Count
- Poor Quality Sperm
- Malformed sperm
- Varicocele (enlargement of veins in the scrotum)
- Chronic health problems like Diabetes, Hypertension, etc.
- Stress & Depression
- Genetic Disease
- High Consumption of alcohol
- Environmental causes (Excess exposure to heat and harmful toxicants)
- Hormonal disorders
Unexplained Infertility
Suppose you’ve tried to get pregnant for a year or more, and your healthcare provider has found no apparent reason for infertility, such as tubal obstruction or sperm disorders. In that case, your fertility doctors may call this ‘unexplained infertility.’ IVF treatment may also be recommended for such couples to achieve pregnancy.
When other fertility treatments have failed
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is often recommended only after attempts at other fertility treatments such as Intrauterine insemination (IUI) & Gonadotropins with timed sexual intercourse have failed. IVF treatment has some advantages over other methods of assisted reproduction, including higher rates of pregnancy.
Cases where IVF is the only option
IVF helps to get pregnant as well as avoid any genetically inherited disorders in embryos by testing them through preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD). Therefore, In some cases, IVF is the best and only option to achieve a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. This may include –
- High risk of genetic disease
- Post-cancer fertility treatment
- When a gestational carrier is required
- When cryopreserved eggs are used
Risks associated with In Vitro fertilization (IVF)
As a part of the medical & surgical procedure, IVF involves risk. Before opting for IVF treatments, you should be prepared for any possible risks. However, severe complications from IVF medicines and procedures are rare.
There are some risks associated with IVF, including –
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
- Multiple births.
- Pelvic Infection
- Breast Tenderness
- Mental Stress
- Bloating
However, these risks can be minimized by working with an experienced fertility specialist. They will have the knowledge and experience to help you through the process while minimizing the chances of complications. If you feel like something is not right, do not stop taking any medication without consulting your doctor first.
What is the success rate of IVF?
The success rate of the test tube baby procedure isn’t universal and varies from clinic to clinic and depends on many factors, including your medical condition, age, quality of egg & sperm, etc.
However, age is the most crucial factor for IVF success, which means women’s IVF success rate starts declining after the 40s. Therefore, it is not recommended to attempt IVF over this age is not recommended, especially with your own eggs. For women younger than the age of 35 years, the chances of pregnancy through IVF are quite high.
Also, If you’re undergoing IVF treatment, taking care of your mental health is important. The process can be emotionally and mentally challenging, so it’s important to find ways to cope.
Choose a Best IVF Clinic in India
Going for IVF can be a daunting experience if you know nothing about it. Therefore, we advise choosing the best IVF clinic in India to ensure your IVF journey goes smoothly and successfully.
Suppose you’re having trouble conceiving or have signs that might indicate signs of reproductive issues; waiting too long might worsen the issue. In that case, you should immediately get in touch with a fertility specialist at Crysta IVF.
Crysta IVF is known as the best IVF Center in India and has a panel of globally recognized Fertility Experts, IVF Specialists, Embryologists, Gynecologists, and Obstetricians with decades of experience that’ll help you find the right solution for your infertility. Book an appointment to make your parenthood possible.
