A few months ago, a woman gave birth to her own grandchild, her daughter's child. Similar kinds of cases have been reported in newspapers, from the past few years now. All this is being done with the help of in-vitro fertilization, also known as IVF Treatment. Childbirth has always been an exceptional occurrence for post-menopausal women, but the number of such cases has gone upwards in the past few years, because of in-vitro fertilization, one of the assisted reproductive technologies. The article elaborates on this blessing in disguise for infertile couples:
If experts are to be believed, the cases of infertility have increased by 20-30 percent in the last five years. They are neither confined to urban households nor are women the only cause of such cases. They believe the major reasons behind such a phenomenon are eating problems, lack of physical exercise and disorders due to pollution.
Infertility - It is that condition when a couple is not able to conceive a child naturally, even after continued efforts. However, it also points out to a condition of a woman when she is not able to carry a pregnancy for its complete term, there is termination of pregnancy due to some reason. The cause of this problem can either be male infertility or female infertility and even both.
In-vitro fertilization - It is one of the most commonly used assisted reproductive treatments that involves the fertilization of an ovum in a laboratory dish, after which the embryos are transferred into the uterus of a woman.
There are five steps in the embryo transfer process:
1. The development of ripening eggs in the ovaries is observed
2. The eggs are collected
3. The sperms are collected
4. Eggs and sperm are kept together in the lab where they are given suitable conditions to fertilize, resulting in the initial growth of an embryo
5. The embryos are transferred into the uterus
The time of ripening of the eggs is controlled. To make better the chances of quality egg collection, fertility drugs are prescribed. Before the egg retrieval is done, an ultrasound of the ovaries is done to check egg development. A urine/ blood test is also done to measure the levels of hormone.
The Process of Egg Retrieval
The process takes place trans-vaginally where a hollow needle is guided by an ultrasound image. Eggs are removed from ovaries with the use of this needle, which is called follicular aspiration. One needs to take care of the perfect timing for this.
After retrieval, the eggs along with sperms are kept in the incubator for the fertilization process, which is checked upon at regular intervals for fertilization, cell division and formation of an embryo. The transfer usually happens within 2 - 3 days after egg retrieval, which is done by inserting a speculum into the vagina for exposing cervix (the neck of the womb). This is followed by a resting period, ultrasounds and blood tests to check possible pregnancy.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
ICSI is used for treating sperm-related infertility problems. Its main aim is to increase the chances of fertilization during IVF phase, when a single sperm is injected into the matured egg. This egg is then transferred into the woman's fallopian tubes or uterus.
Cost
The cost of in-vitro fertilization in the countries, located in the Western hemisphere is quite high and thus becomes unaffordable by many. Because of this, the concept of medical tourism is gaining a lot of momentum in Asian countries like Thailand, India etc. but then, there is no cost to fulfill a dream of becoming a parent.
Success rate
IVF treatment helps an infertile couple to have a baby. The success rate of this treatment is quite high but also depends on the right kind of process being chosen at the right time (read age). However, miracles do happen in science, a proof of which is the real-life incident mentioned in the beginning of the article.
If experts are to be believed, the cases of infertility have increased by 20-30 percent in the last five years. They are neither confined to urban households nor are women the only cause of such cases. They believe the major reasons behind such a phenomenon are eating problems, lack of physical exercise and disorders due to pollution.
Infertility - It is that condition when a couple is not able to conceive a child naturally, even after continued efforts. However, it also points out to a condition of a woman when she is not able to carry a pregnancy for its complete term, there is termination of pregnancy due to some reason. The cause of this problem can either be male infertility or female infertility and even both.
In-vitro fertilization - It is one of the most commonly used assisted reproductive treatments that involves the fertilization of an ovum in a laboratory dish, after which the embryos are transferred into the uterus of a woman.
There are five steps in the embryo transfer process:
1. The development of ripening eggs in the ovaries is observed
2. The eggs are collected
3. The sperms are collected
4. Eggs and sperm are kept together in the lab where they are given suitable conditions to fertilize, resulting in the initial growth of an embryo
5. The embryos are transferred into the uterus
The time of ripening of the eggs is controlled. To make better the chances of quality egg collection, fertility drugs are prescribed. Before the egg retrieval is done, an ultrasound of the ovaries is done to check egg development. A urine/ blood test is also done to measure the levels of hormone.
The Process of Egg Retrieval
The process takes place trans-vaginally where a hollow needle is guided by an ultrasound image. Eggs are removed from ovaries with the use of this needle, which is called follicular aspiration. One needs to take care of the perfect timing for this.
After retrieval, the eggs along with sperms are kept in the incubator for the fertilization process, which is checked upon at regular intervals for fertilization, cell division and formation of an embryo. The transfer usually happens within 2 - 3 days after egg retrieval, which is done by inserting a speculum into the vagina for exposing cervix (the neck of the womb). This is followed by a resting period, ultrasounds and blood tests to check possible pregnancy.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
ICSI is used for treating sperm-related infertility problems. Its main aim is to increase the chances of fertilization during IVF phase, when a single sperm is injected into the matured egg. This egg is then transferred into the woman's fallopian tubes or uterus.
Cost
The cost of in-vitro fertilization in the countries, located in the Western hemisphere is quite high and thus becomes unaffordable by many. Because of this, the concept of medical tourism is gaining a lot of momentum in Asian countries like Thailand, India etc. but then, there is no cost to fulfill a dream of becoming a parent.
Success rate
IVF treatment helps an infertile couple to have a baby. The success rate of this treatment is quite high but also depends on the right kind of process being chosen at the right time (read age). However, miracles do happen in science, a proof of which is the real-life incident mentioned in the beginning of the article.
Geetika Bhagat Handa is a medical tour advisor with a leading Medical Tourism Company in India. Geetika Bhagat Handa has credible experience in supervising medical tours for Clients from Africa and the Middle East.