Test Tube Baby

‘Test tube baby’ is a conversational term given to ‘In Vitro Fertilization’ (IVF), due to the container in which the process takes place. This treatment comes as a ground-breaking progression in science for couples who cannot bear children due to various impediments ranging from infertility to damaged fallopian tubes. In 1978, under the care of Steptoe and Edwards, the first test tube baby, Louise Brown was born. A number of IVF babies have come into this world since then. In this procedure, the egg (ova) is collected using a procedure known as laparoscopy. Sometimes, in order to increase the odds of getting pregnant, the ovaries are stimulated into generating more eggs. Next, the ova and the sperms are put into a ‘petri dish’ or a ‘test tube’. This is where the fertilization takes place. The embryo is then either frozen for later implantation or transferred into the woman’s uterus for further growth. IVF treatments being so defined, may take up to three to four weeks and once the fertilization takes place, the patient is required to come three days later for the implantation. The possibility of the procedure being successful to a great extent depends on the age and weight of the woman. For instance, the younger the woman, the healthier the eggs will be. Having a healthy BMI (body mass index), will also increase the chance of success. The average success rate however is 20 percent for each cycle of treatment and experts believe that IVF is unlikely to work if it hasn’t by the third attempt.

Pros And Cons Of Test Tube Babies

Pros
Though IVF is a very expensive and time consuming method, it is by far the most effective treatment in order to bear a child. Many couples resort to this treatment when all fails, because of the following reasons.