### Introduction:
Infertility is a medical issue, not something you choose. As women age, their fertility decreases, but there are many other factors that can impact their ability to conceive. Because of this, IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) is becoming more popular as a way for women to get pregnant. IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilization, which is Latin for “within the glass.” The first IVF baby, Louise Brown, was born in the UK in 1978. IVF involves creating a baby outside the body and is the most effective assisted reproductive technology available.
### What Happens During IVF:
The IVF process starts by taking eggs from a woman’s ovaries and mixing them with sperm in a lab dish. To do this, a woman takes fertility drugs to produce healthy eggs. Normally, a woman produces one egg per month, but these drugs help the ovaries produce several eggs. A minor surgery is then performed to retrieve the eggs.
The next step is to combine these eggs with sperm in a lab, which is called insemination. This promotes the growth of embryos, and lab technicians check the embryos frequently to ensure they are developing properly. After 3 to 5 days, the embryo is transferred into the woman’s uterus with the hope that it will implant and grow into a healthy baby.
### Who Should Consider IVF:
IVF can be an option for couples facing:
1. Male fertility issues, such as low or no sperm count, and problems with sperm function and movement that prevent fertilization.
2. Ovarian issues that affect egg production or release.
3. Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, which make fertilization difficult.
4. Severe endometriosis, fibroid tumors, abnormal uterus shapes, or secondary infertility.
5. Sperm that cannot enter or survive in the cervical mucus.
6. Unexplained infertility.
### Cost of IVF:
IVF is a complex and expensive procedure, typically tried when other fertility treatments haven’t worked. The high cost is due to the medical expertise and specialized techniques required. However, on the Gold Coast and in much of Australia, IVF is more affordable than in other developed countries. Thanks to a Medicare rebate, a cycle of IVF treatment costs about $2000.
### Success Rates of IVF:
The success of IVF depends on several factors, including a woman’s age, the cause of infertility, where the procedure is performed, and the health of the reproductive organs. Advances in technology have significantly improved the chances of conception with IVF.
### Conclusion:
Researchers have developed a new IVF technique that can select healthy embryos based on their glucose intake, which is pretty amazing. So, if you’re a couple wanting to have children, why not give IVF a try?