IVF, an acronym for In Vitro Fertilization, is a fertility treatment where the doctors combine eggs with sperm outside the female body in a laboratory. The procedure has gained significant popularity and is used by women seeking help with pregnancy. IVF treatment has multiple complex steps and ranks among the top Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) options in the healthcare industry.
The process starts with retrieving eggs from ovaries. Eggs are then combined manually with sperm in a lab for fertilization. Certain days after fertilization, the egg (now an embryo) is carried in a uterus. Once the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall, pregnancy occurs.
Now that you know what IVF is, you might consider it a go-to pregnancy treatment for every woman. There are certain cases where IVF treatment is a suitable option and some instances where it’s not that effective.
Let’s discuss who needs an IVF treatment in detail for your better understanding.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is among the most popular and successful infertility treatments today. After the first IVF baby was born in 1978 (Louise Brown, England), IVF has made the birth of more than 8 million babies possible worldwide.
Did you know in 2022, approximately 47.2% of IVF cycles resulted in the birth of a single baby?
Initially, IVF treatment was designed for women with missing or blocked fallopian tubes. At present, it helps treat almost all types of infertility concerns in women. Couples, where males tend to have a very low or no sperm count, are now hopeful because of IVF.
IVF is additionally the most effective & safest pregnancy option for those with endometriosis or scar tissue affecting the tubes or ovaries, or other tubal disorders. Couples who don’t get the desired results from insemination, fertility drugs, or other fertility treatment often consider IVF. The procedure can also be used to diagnose and prevent genetic diseases using preimplantation genetic diagnosis, PGD.
IVF is a suitable option for women with unsuccessful results in first-line fertility treatments. Though it was initially meant for women having tubal factor infertility in(non-functional fallopian tubes), it has now become a viable, safe, and effective treatment for couples trying to conceive.
Below are the most common infertility situations where women can/should consider IVF:
● Non-functional fallopian tubes
● Age-based infertility
● Ovulation failure due to irregular menstruation
● Endometriosis
● Risk of genetic disorders
● Unexplained infertility
● Women with three unsuccessful infertility treatment cycles
● High blood levels of anti-sperm antibodies
● Male partner’s inability to produce viable sperms
● Decreased function of ovary because of age
● Women having a bilateral tubal ligation
IVF treatment can act as a gift for most couples. Yet it might not be the ideal option for a few cases. Here’s when you shouldn’t go with IVF treatment:
● Women with acute infectious diseases that are still to be treated.
● Women with untreated infection in the reproductive tract.
● Women having severe health complications.
● Women with seriously compromised endometrial lining that is unable to support a pregnancy.
As mentioned above, IVF is no substitute for infertility treatment for all women. We recommend consulting a specialist before opting for the treatment.
