IVF

What is IVF?

The world's first test tube baby was born 43 years ago on July 25, a day now marked as World IVF Day. Infertility, according to the World Health Organisation, "affects between 48 million couples and 186 million individuals globally". Today, with rising infertility rates, in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) is in the spotlight.

IVF involves combining eggs and sperm outside the body in a laboratory and then placing the formed embryo or embryos into the uterus.

You should consider IVF if you have:

Endometriosis
Low sperm count
Problems with the uterus or fallopian tubes
Ovulation trouble
Poor egg quality
Genetic diseases

IVF is usually only considered after failing fertility drugs, surgery, and artificial insemination.

Benefits of IVF

IVF is known to have a 50% success rate in women under 35. A healthy baby has improved chances and a lower risk of miscarriage.
Genetic anomalies can be tested: Hereditary genetic abnormalities can be tested on the embryos before implantation.
IVF is independent of a partner: IVF is popular among single individuals and those with same-sex partners.