Assisted Reproduction: IVF

In vitro fertilization is a process by which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body. IVF is major treatment for infertility when other methods of assisted reproductive technology have failed. The process involves monitoring and stimulating a woman's ovulatory process, removing ova or ovum (egg or eggs) from the woman's ovaries and letting sperm fertilize them in a fluid medium in a laboratory. The fertilized egg (zygote) cultured for 26 days in a growth medium and is then transferred to the patient's uterus with the intention of establishing a successful pregnancy. The first successful birth of a "test tube baby, Louise Brown, occurred in 1978. Louise Brown was born as a result of natural cycle IVF where no stimulation was made, Robert G. Edwards, the physiologist who developed the treatment, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2010. The term in vitro is a Latin word meaning in glass due to earlier biological experiments involving cultivation of tissues outside the living organism from which they came, were carried out in glass containers such as, beakers, test tubes, or petri dishes. The term is still used today because it refers to biological procedure that is performed outside the organism it would normally be occurring in, distinguishing it from an in vivo procedure, where the tissue remains in the living organism. IVF is used to overcome infertility in women or male infertility where there is a defect in sperm quality or when sperm have difficulty penetrating the egg or the sperm numbers are very low. It may also be used for women with unexplained

fertility and have not conceived after 2 years of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. Infertility is a problem faced by nearly 6.1 million Americans, which makes the problem more prevalent. The risks associated with in vitro fertilization include the possibility of multiple pregnancy (since several embryos may be implanted) and ectopic pregnancy (an embryo that implants in the fallopian tube or in the abdominal cavity outside the uterus). There is a slight risk of ovarian rupture, bleeding, infections, and complications of anesthesia. If the procedure is successful and pregnancy is achieved, the pregnancy would carry the same risks as any pregnancy achieved without assisted technology. Unfortunately, I am one of those 6.1 millions who suffers from infertility, which is very odd because I come from a mother and grandparents who were very fertile, for instance, my grandmother who had 19 children and my mother who had 14 children. So why was I the unlucky one?? Can it really be blamed on genetics? It is interesting as well because I have cousins that are the same age as myself who are burdened with the same issues. Maybe fertile Myrtle skipped a generation or we were just the unfortunate ones. Success rates vary widely between clinics and between physicians performing the procedure and implantation does not guarantee pregnancy. Therefore, the procedure may have to be repeated more than once to achieve pregnancy. However, success rates have improved in recent years, up from 20% in 1995 to 27% in 2001

In my opinion, IVF is a great invention that every woman with infertility problems should at least consider. Of course there is adoption but it is not the same as having your very own child from your own body. Every woman wants to be able to experience pregnancy, the changes in their body, and child bearing, It also wouldnt hurt for our children to inherit our good looks. This is the first thing on my list when I make that bling, bling, money so I can experience the joys of motherhood. Thanks to Dr. Edwards who invented IVF and made it possible for the millions of us who struggle with infertility.