IVF is the most common and successful of the high-tech treatments for infertility. Learn what’s involved.
In the 30 years since the first “test tube baby” was born, in vitro fertilization has shifted from the edge of science fiction into the mainstream.
IVF has allowed many couples who have been failed by other infertility treatments to become parents. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 50,000 babies are born each year through the use of IVF and similar techniques. This is about 1 percent of all babies born in the U.S.
IVF is the most common and successful of the high-tech procedures called assisted reproductive technology (ART). There are other similar types of ART, including GIFT and ZIFT.
What is IVF?
IVF pairs the man’s sperm with eggs that have been harvested from the woman’s body. The eggs and sperm are mixed in a lab dish. One or more fertilized eggs (or embryos) are then placed through the cervix into the woman’s uterus.
If all goes well, at least one of the embryos will implant in the uterine lining and lead to the birth of a baby. If the embryos don’t implant, the process can be repeated. The rate of pregnancy stays about the same for four IVF cycles, but pregnancy is unlikely if it hasn’t occurred after six cycles.
IVF is a treatment option for some of the most common causes of infertility, including:
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
- Ovulation problems
- Male-factor infertility
- Unknown causes
What happens in an IVF cycle?
IVF is a complex, carefully timed process that involves several steps. One full cycle takes about three weeks to complete.
The basic steps in an IVF cycle are:
+ Ovarian stimulation. To start the process, the woman takes “fertility drugs” for about two weeks. This stimulates multiple eggs to develop in the ovary. During this treatment, she will have careful monitoring with ultrasounds and blood tests.
+ Egg retrieval. When monitoring shows the eggs are ready, they are removed from the woman’s body. Using ultrasound for guidance, the doctor inserts a needle through the vagina into the egg sacs in the ovary and extracts the eggs. This usually takes less than 30 minutes. The woman may be given some type of pain relief beforehand.
+ Fertilization. The eggs are sent to the lab, where a specialist will mix them with the man’s sperm (either her partner’s or sperm from a donor).To aid fertilization, one sperm may be injected directly into each mature egg. This is called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
+ Embryo culture. The fertilized eggs are placed in a liquid medium and checked at regular intervals for normal growth.They may be ready for transfer into the uterus anytime from one to six days after retrieval.
+ Embryo transfer. For the final step, the doctor inserts a long, thin tube through the woman’s cervix and places the embryos into her uterus.This usually isn’t painful, but some women have mild cramping.
How many embryos are placed will depend on the woman’s age and other factors.Any embryos that are left may be frozen for future use or destroyed.
What are the risks of IVF?
The main risks of IVF are:
- Ovarian hyperstimulation. This can result from the use of hormone fertility drugs. It can cause cysts to grow in the ovaries, which can become swollen and painful. It is usually mild and easy to treat, but in rare cases it can become life-threatening if not treated.
- Multiple birth. If more than one embryo is transferred, the risk of multiple pregnancy arises. Carrying twins or more is risky for both the mother and the fetuses. Multiple pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth, birth complications and low birth weight. Premature babies usually must spend time in intensive care and are more likely to have long-term problems.
How successful is IVF?
This can be hard to generalize because so many factors come into play. Important ones include the woman’s age, whether fresh or frozen eggs are used, sperm quality and the skill and experience of the fertility specialists involved.
In general, the likelihood of success drops a little for each year of a woman’s age. The highest rates of pregnancy are in women younger than 35. The lowest are in women older than 40. Using donated eggs can increase the chance of successful pregnancy for women over 35. (MyOptumHealth, 2010)
Some Hospitals in Malaysia that offer Fertility Treatments are:
Concept Fertility Centre – Damai Service Hospital
Gleneagles Medical Center Penang
Mahkota Medical Center – Melaka
