IVF: The original ‘Test-Tube baby’ technique.

Technique:
IVF is the most widely practiced A.R.T. procedure in the world. This procedure was indicated to help women with blocked or severely damaged fallopian tubes, endometriosis, cervical mucus hostility, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and unexplained infertility.

IVF involves hormonal treatment using infertility drugs to stimulate multiple follicle development, monitoring follicular growth, ovulation induction, transvaginal aspiration of eggs under general anesthetic, culture of the retrieved eggs in the laboratory for further maturation, insemination of the egg with specially prepared sperm for fertilization, culture and monitor of the resulted embryos and transvaginal transfer the selected good embryos into the womb.

Success Rates (Pregnancy Rates) with IVF:
There are a lot of factors that could affect the success rate of a conventional IVF cycle. The most common factor is gamete (egg and sperm) and embryo quality. The better quality it is, the higher success rate it will be.

Other factors are uterine receptivity of the embryos transferred and the skill of the clinician and embryologist in carrying out the procedures. Most studies have shown success rate is lower for women above the age of 35. Therefore it is advisable for couples to act quickly when the female partner is already in her early thirties.

The worldwide quoted success rate of a conventional IVF cycle is approximately 40%.

Risk with IVF:
The most common risk of conventional IVF treatment is Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS). The risk happens as a result of the hormonal drug treatment given that causes excessive stimulation of the ovaries. With careful monitoring of the hormonal drug treatment and its effect on the ovaries, this syndrome rarely occurs.


Another risk in this treatment is multiple pregnancies. It not only causes social and financial complications but is also associated with higher rates of pregnancy loss and lower birth weight babies. Other mild risks are infection and general anesthesia related complications.