Among all recently developed medical technologies one of the most radically effecting human perspective is medically assisted reproduction. It has resulted in wide possibilities of helping to obtain a precious goal that is bringing forth another life. One of its method is in vitro fertilisation which is a sterile method of an artificial insemination and culturing embryos outside woman’s body under laboratory conditions.
Although fertilisation is usually one of the most natural and as, a result, easily attainable process, for more and more couples it is either impossible or extremely difficult to naturally conceive a child. Impaired fertility of both partners or other reasons increasingly disallow ovum and sperm to meet during standard intercourse. According to WHO data the problem of childlessness (permanently or temporarily) refers to about 60 – 80 million pairs in the world. In developed countries this problem affects 10% to 15% of couples of childbearing age, part of which requires treatment by assisted reproduction. When other methods of supporting reproduction fail, the solution can be an in vitro fertilisation procedure that is highly beneficial to those who would like to procreate but are unable to do it without medical support. Thanks to IVF it is feasible for them to start a family and to enjoy having an offspring in the situation that otherwise it could not happen. The efficacy and safety of the method of in vitro fertilization has been confirmed by many studies.
A Brief History of in vitro
This type of fertilization at the beginning was used for a long time for mammals’ reproduction, especially for various species of cattle, pigs, sheep, dogs. For last decades in vitro fertilization has also used as one of the methods of symptomatic treatment of human infertility.
For the first time this method was used in 1978 in the UK. The physiologist who developed the treatment, was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2010.
First successful in vitro fertilization in Poland took place in Medical University of Bialystok in 1987. Since then, improved and rehabilitated, contributed significantly to the increase in fertilization. The world’s best clinics become enforceable in the amount of 30-40%.
Proceeding with IVF
In vitro fertilization consists of several stages from preparation to implementation and monitoring phase. First stage is obtaining egg cells which is preceded by examination and diagnosis and sometimes hormonal stimulation. During natural or stimulated ovulation woman’s cells are taken out and carefully transferred to a vessel in which conditions are similar to the woman’s body which is the most invasive part because of being an operation with use of laparoscope under general anaesthesia. At almost the same time there is sperm cells are collected from the partner or donor or by the use of a sperm bank. Then the gametes are being combined – egg cells and sperm are put together and incubated for fertilization. Success rate of this part is 50-60%. Part of the resulting embryos get frozen in case the first attempt fails or if the couple wanted to have more children. Two or three embryos are transferred into the uterine cavity. After successful implantation of the embryo the pregnancy begins.
The procedure may be run in a slightly different way depending on patient’s individual situation. There are various programs accessible for example in INVICTA Fertility Clinics that include several ways of treating infertility caused by different factors or induced by health condition or personal circumstances of patients. INVICTA Fertility Clinics also offer comprehensive IVF programs such as IVF Optimum Program, IVF All Inclusive Program, In Vitro All Inclusive Genetics NGS, IVF All Inclusive Egg Donation Program, IVF All Inclusive Egg Freezing and IVF Embryo Freezing Program. They vary by the range of service included. Because of their complexity and several procedures included they might be more accordant to specific issue connected to fertility and boost the chances of achieving a goal of successful and healthy pregnancy.
