In Vitro Fertilization (ivf) – A Medical Remedy For Infertility

By Author: Dr Baidyanath Dastidar
Total Articles: 7
Comment this article

Evolution of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in India has been a boon for women who underwent other treatments for conceiving, but to no avail. A comparative new technology, there is also lack of adequate information about it. Read on to get briefed about the procedure, egg retrieval and fertilization, and transfer of embryos.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is the advancement in medical technology which has made motherhood possible for most women facing infertility problems. It is a process that is in nascent stage in India and there are a few facilities able to undertake the procedure with an assurance.

IVF Explained
Fertilization outside of the body is termed In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). It is the most effective Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to help a woman get pregnant. IVF is usually used when a woman's Fallopian tubes are blocked or severely damaged, while the sperm count in the man is normal. The woman is administered a drug that causes the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The eggs are taken out of the woman’s body and put in a lab in a dish along with the sperms. Post fertilization, ...
... healthy embryos are implanted in the woman's uterus where they develop naturally.

Factors to Consider
The decision for IVF is taken after factoring in a few issues. It is better if the IVF is tried under age 35. Although there is no restriction on the age regarding IVF, chances of success do decline as the woman gets older. Statistics also reveal the instances of multiple births – about 63% are single babies, 32% are twins and 5% are triplets or more. Then there is cost factor. IVF is a costly procedure that is usually not covered by health insurance plans.

As for safety, studies have proven IVF to be safe. Children conceived through the method are as healthy as the children conceived naturally. Moreover, a woman who has IVF may not have to undergo Fallopian tubes surgery.

IVF Procedure
Several screening tests are performed before the beginning of an IVF cycle. These include imaging studies such as a transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus and ovaries. In some cases, advanced imaging studies such as hysteroscopy are done.

When the process begins, medications are given to promote maturation of ovarian follicles containing eggs. Blood tests are done to measure the hormone levels. Objective is to stimulate production of multiple follicles. Transvaginal ultrasounds are performed frequently for assessing follicle maturation. When the ultrasounds indicate that the follicles are mature, the woman is administered an injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG).

Egg Retrieval and Fertilization
The process involves removal of fluid from the follicles that contains the mature eggs. Performed 34 to 36 hours after administering the hCG injection, the procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes. At the same time, a semen sample is taken from the man and the sperms are taken from it through a laboratory procedure. The sperms are then combined with the eggs in the laboratory dish.

Transfer of Embryos
Embryo transfer is usually done 3 to 5 days after the egg retrieval. The doctor inserts the embryos through the cervix using a long slender tube. Though anaesthesia is not required for the procedure, the woman needs to be in resting position for some time.

Unlike the West, when it comes to IVF, India has few institutes which can conduct the procedure. It makes it imperative for the patients to research well before deciding where to take their treatment from.

The writer of this article is associated with Ghosh Dastidar Institute for Fertility Research (GDIFR), which conducts IVF procedure for infertile with excellence. They have also earned acclaim for surrogacy in India.