In Vitro Fertilisation

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology used to treat infertility and genetic disorders. It is a process in which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside of the body, in a laboratory. Once the egg is fertilized, it is placed into the uterus of the intended mother. IVF was first successfully completed in 1978, and since then has become a widely used treatment for infertility. IVF is usually only recommended after other infertility treatments have been unsuccessful. It is typically used when the woman has blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, when the man has a low sperm count, or when a couple is affected by unexplained fertility. IVF involves a number of steps. First, hormones are given to the woman to stimulate the production of multiple eggs. The eggs are then collected from the woman and placed in a petri dish where they are fertilized by the sperm. The fertilized eggs, or embryos, are then monitored in the laboratory to ensure they are growing properly. After a few days, the embryos are placed into the woman's uterus. If the embryos successfully implant and the pregnancy progresses normally, a baby is born. In some cases, more than one embryo is placed into the uterus, resulting in multiple births.