In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a treatment of infertility which involves the fertilization of eggs by sperm in the laboratory. IVF literally means 'fertilization in glass'. It is often referred to as assisted conception or in association with other related treatments more broadly as assisted reproductive technologies (ART).
IVF in humans was first successfully used in 1978. Since then more than one million babies have been born world wide from this treatment. It is by far the most successful treatment of infertility. Over the last 20 years there have been vast improvements in IVF techniques. If you receive treatment from a reputable modern IVF clinic a women under the age of 35 can reasonably expect an approximately 50% chance of a positive pregnancy test from a single treatment. Moreover, the chance of taking home a baby from one fully completed cycle of IVF, once all embryos both fresh and frozen are transferred back to the uterus approaches two thirds. After three fully completed cycles of IVF the chance of taking home a baby approaches 90%. The chance decreases as the woman's age increases.
IVF is able to treat most causes of infertility. Of course both eggs and sperm have to be collected or provided and be available to the doctors and scientists who perform the procedure. The only conditions that may prevent the possibility of IVF are premature menopause, total absence of sperm and irreparable damage to the uterus and even in such cases donated eggs or sperm from another person or surrogacy using IVF may be used.
What is involved in an IVF treatment?
IVF involves a complex variety of steps. They usually are:
- Hormone treatment to produce eggs
Medication, including daily injections, to make the ovaries produce more eggs than usual
- Monitoring response to treatment with blood tests and ultrasounds
Tests to assess the degree of response to the medication - hopefully not too much or too little
- Egg collection
A minor operation to attempt to collect eggs from the ovaries
- Sperm supply
Provision of semen - usually collected by masturbation, sometimes by biopsy - to allow extraction of sperm for the fertilization process
- Fertilization in the laboratory of eggs and sperm
The combination sperm and eggs - by mixing or injection - to permit them to interact and bind together to form an embryo
- Laboratory culture and growth of embryos
Growing fertilized eggs in the laboratory for 2 to 6 days to assess if they are suitable for replacement back to the uterus
- Embryo transfer
Delicately placing the developed embryos back into the uterine cavity - hopefully to allow them to attach and produce a pregnancy
- Freezing of spare embryos
Freezing and cryopreservation of spare embryos to permit additional chances of pregnancy at a later date
- Hormone supplements in second half of cycle
Hormone treatment to support the lining of the uterus and to assist in the process of embryo implantation
- Pregnancy test or menstrual period !
Joy or sadness at the result of your IVF treatment cycle - either way, you have done your best.
- Pregnancy and live birth rates
The results of IVF as measured by pregnancy rates and successful delivery of a healthy baby from your IVF treatment cycle