IVF is the abbreviation for in vitro fertilization. As the name suggests this is the union of the ovum and the sperm in the laboratory and not within the body as is the natural case. The union of these two cells forms a zygote that grows and develops into an embryo. Transplantation into the uterus is then done at this embryo stage so that it becomes a pregnancy. Since its inception, this technique has resulted into about 200,000 births in the United States alone.
A number of conditions that cause infertility have greatly benefited from this method. One of these conditions is what is known as endometriosis. This condition is characterized by existence of endometrial tissues in other places other than the uterus. This could be the abdominal cavity, the ovaries and the cervix among others. The tissue is subject to cyclical pain of menstruation and is a recognized cause of infertility in a number of women.
There are a number of other problems in the female that may be solved through in vitro fertilization. Fallopian tube blockage due to an infective process or following surgery is one of them. Whenever this happens, the sperm and the ovum cannot meet and this makes fertilization impossible. Problems may also arise when there are abnormalities in the uterus. Both anatomical defects and physiological abnormalities may hinder the process of fertilization.
Sperm quality and quantity is a frequent cause of infertility in males. Quality implies either the morphological appearance or the ability to move. Abnormal sperms do not have the capacity to cause fertilization even when they come into contact with the egg. In terms of quantity, a sperm count of less than 2 million per milliliter is considered inadequate. All these problems are potential beneficiaries of this treatment.
In seeking the treatment for infertility, in vitro fertilization should not be the first option. The choice of which method to choose should be governed by the underlying problem. For example, if the problem is an anatomical defect of the uterus, then this can be surgically corrected and pregnancy attempted. If the problem has been identified to be due to low sperm count, then changes in frequency of intercourse may just provide a solution.
In the treatment, a number of fertility drugs have to be taken. These drugs help increase the chances of ovulation and to produce as many eggs as possible. The women have to receive injections of both the follicle stimulating hormone and the luteinizing hormone. The injections are given daily for about three weeks before the desired time of conception. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues or GnRH are administered at the same time.
It is necessary to closely monitor the changes that are occurring in the female genital tract so that the time of ovulation is known. Clinical observation and radiological investigations such as ultrasound are important here. When the ova mature, several of them are harvested and mixed with sperm from a donor or male partner in a dish. The mixture is subsequently placed in an incubator that contains the optimal conditions for fertilization.
There are a number of possible risks and complications of IVF that you need to be aware of even as you explore this option. One of them is that the chances of having multiple and ectopic pregnancies are much higher than is the case with normally-conceived pregnancies. The other significant one is that the frequency of ending up with birth defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate and spina bifida is also high.
A number of conditions that cause infertility have greatly benefited from this method. One of these conditions is what is known as endometriosis. This condition is characterized by existence of endometrial tissues in other places other than the uterus. This could be the abdominal cavity, the ovaries and the cervix among others. The tissue is subject to cyclical pain of menstruation and is a recognized cause of infertility in a number of women.
There are a number of other problems in the female that may be solved through in vitro fertilization. Fallopian tube blockage due to an infective process or following surgery is one of them. Whenever this happens, the sperm and the ovum cannot meet and this makes fertilization impossible. Problems may also arise when there are abnormalities in the uterus. Both anatomical defects and physiological abnormalities may hinder the process of fertilization.
Sperm quality and quantity is a frequent cause of infertility in males. Quality implies either the morphological appearance or the ability to move. Abnormal sperms do not have the capacity to cause fertilization even when they come into contact with the egg. In terms of quantity, a sperm count of less than 2 million per milliliter is considered inadequate. All these problems are potential beneficiaries of this treatment.
In seeking the treatment for infertility, in vitro fertilization should not be the first option. The choice of which method to choose should be governed by the underlying problem. For example, if the problem is an anatomical defect of the uterus, then this can be surgically corrected and pregnancy attempted. If the problem has been identified to be due to low sperm count, then changes in frequency of intercourse may just provide a solution.
In the treatment, a number of fertility drugs have to be taken. These drugs help increase the chances of ovulation and to produce as many eggs as possible. The women have to receive injections of both the follicle stimulating hormone and the luteinizing hormone. The injections are given daily for about three weeks before the desired time of conception. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues or GnRH are administered at the same time.
It is necessary to closely monitor the changes that are occurring in the female genital tract so that the time of ovulation is known. Clinical observation and radiological investigations such as ultrasound are important here. When the ova mature, several of them are harvested and mixed with sperm from a donor or male partner in a dish. The mixture is subsequently placed in an incubator that contains the optimal conditions for fertilization.
There are a number of possible risks and complications of IVF that you need to be aware of even as you explore this option. One of them is that the chances of having multiple and ectopic pregnancies are much higher than is the case with normally-conceived pregnancies. The other significant one is that the frequency of ending up with birth defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate and spina bifida is also high.
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