IVF is a procedure, used to overcome a range of fertility issues, by which an egg and sperm are joined together outside the body, in a specialised laboratory. The fertilised egg (embryo) is allowed to grow in a protected environment for some days before being transferred into the woman's uterus increasing the chance that a pregnancy will occur.
The process of fertilisation take place over a few hours and a number of embryos can form.
Biological Background
“ You will then have daily hormone injections for about 12 days. These stimulate your ovaries to release a greater number of mature eggs than usual (ovulation induction). The hormones used are gonadotrophins follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinising hormone (LH). “ Approved by the
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A number of laboratory techniques are used to facilitate this ntra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Negatives
1) A clear disadvantage with IVF is that success is not guaranteed. In fact, less than 50 percent of all couples starting an IVF cycle will achieve a pregnancy. Of those who do successfully become pregnant, not all of the pregnancies will result in a baby.
2) Another disadvantage of IVF is because the process involves an operative procedure, there are the associated risks of infection, anaesthetic risks and haemorrhage. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) is also a risk that is only associated with treatment where the ovaries are stimulated through the use of medications, to make multiple eggs.
3)If you transfer more than one embryo, there is a likely chance that all of the embryos will implant, leading to multiple pregnancies. In Australia, clinics are leading the way in reducing the incidence of multiple pregnancies as a result of IVF by only transferring a single embryo on the majority of cases.
4) IVF can also be an expensive medical procedure, and whilst private health insurance may cover the hospital admission, the total out price cost to a couple depends on each individual’s