In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is the most common and effective type of assisted reproductive technology to help women become pregnant.<\/p>\n
It involves fertilizing an egg outside the body, in a laboratory dish, and then implanting it in a woman\u2019s uterus.<\/p>\n
IVF has been used since the late 1970s. On 25 July 1978, the first \u201ctest-tube baby,\u201d Louise Brown, was born. Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe, who collaborated on the procedure, are considered to be the pioneers of IVF.<\/p>\n
In 2010, Robert Edwards received the 2010 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine \u201cfor the development of in-vitro fertilization.\u201d<\/p>\n
In July 2013, an American couple had the first baby to be born through IVF as a result of next-generation DNA sequencing, a new way of screening embryos that improves IVF success rates and significantly reduces the cost of treatment.<\/p>\n
So far, more than 10 million IVF\/ICSI and frozen embryo transfer babies have been born throughout the world.<\/p>\n
Fast facts about in-vitro fertilization (IVF)<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n DNA sequencing technology helps doctors screen embryos created by IVF to identify those most likely to lead to successful pregnancies.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Candidates<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n In-vitro fertilization is ideal for women who have not been able to become pregnant through regular unprotected intercourse or after 12 cycles of artificial insemination.<\/p>\n Success rate<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n In 2016,\u00a026 percent<\/a>\u00a0of procedures led to a live birth.<\/p>\n In 2010, the United Kingdom\u2019s National Health Service (NHS) estimated that the\u00a0chance of a live birth<\/a>\u00a0was:<\/p>\n These statistics vary depending on where IVF is done.<\/p>\n Other factors that may affect success<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n Apart from age, the likelihood of success depends on factors including:<\/p>\n One study, published in\u00a0CMAJ Open<\/em>\u00a0in 2013, has suggested that women who have sufficient levels of\u00a0vitamin D<\/a>\u00a0are \u201csignificantly\u00a0more likely<\/a>\u201d to become pregnant with IVF compared with those who have lower levels of this\u00a0vitamin<\/a>. It is not known if taking vitamin D supplements can affect your chances of getting pregnant, either naturally or with IVF.<\/p>\n Risks<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n Some risks are associated with IVF.<\/p>\n Side effects of medication<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n Share on PinterestIVF can cause difficulty sleeping.<\/p>\n Some women may have reactions to the medications that are given during treatment.<\/p>\n The possible side effects of IVF drugs\u00a0include<\/a>:<\/p>\n Bruising can also result from repeated daily injections.<\/p>\n Health risks to the mother<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n Rarely, the drugs\u00a0can cause<\/a>\u00a0ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). This happens when the ovaries over-respond to the gonadotrophins, so that too many eggs develop in the ovaries. Severe abdominal swelling and shortness of breath can result. If OHSS occurs, the doctor may suggest restarting the whole cycle with a lower dose of gonadotropin.<\/p>\n Research published in the\u00a0BMJ<\/em>\u00a0has\u00a0linked IVF with a higher risk<\/a>\u00a0of\u00a0pulmonary embolism<\/a>, or blockage of the lung\u2019s main artery, and venous thromboembolism, or blood clots, during the 1st trimester of pregnancy.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n Pregnancy loss<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n The\u00a0leading cause<\/a>\u00a0of pregnancy loss, whether in IVF or in natural conception, is an abnormal number of chromosomes, known as chromosomal aneuploidy. Detecting aneuploidy in the egg or sperm before carrying out IVF, or in an embryo before implantation, may help increase the chance of a successful pregnancy.<\/p>\n In 2013, scientists announced that\u00a0they had developed<\/a>\u00a0a new technology called time-lapse imaging. The technique may increase the chances of selecting a suitable embryo for successful IVF, though further research needs to be done.<\/p>\n Multiple Births<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n When more than one embryo is transferred into the womb, there is a higher chance of having twins, triplets, or more babies.<\/p>\n Pregnancies with more than one fetus can result in:<\/p>\n The doctor may recommend that there should only be a single embryo transfer in women with a heightened chance of having twins.<\/p>\n Arogya Finance,<\/a>\u00a0a social healthcare venture\u00a0based in Mumbai\u2019s tying-up with various doctors and hospitals for various medical treatments. Arogya Finance facilitates easy Equated Monthly Instalments to patients to pay for the treatments provided by the doctors and hospitals.<\/p>\n \u201cUnexpected healthcare expenses have led to over 40 million people falling into poverty every year due to heavy expenses incurred for numerous treatments. Arogya Finance has partnerships with various doctors and hospitals to make medical loans available to patients at the right time and place in different parts of India. We are already in talks with many hospitals, pharma companies and major doctors across India to provide a one-stop financial solution for people in need whenever and wherever there is an unforeseen medical emergency.\u201d said Mr. Jose Peter, Co-Founder and CEO of Arogya Finance.<\/p>\n\n
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