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In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

The test-tube baby technique

The fertilization of an egg by sperm.

IVF means fertilization outside the body in a test tube. Since the birth of Louise Brown, the first test-tube baby in 1978, IVF has resulted in over 1,000,000 babies worldwide. Pregnancy rates and live birth rates have improved over the past few years, leading to a steady increase in the number of IVF treatment cycles performed worldwide.

To whom is IVF is advised?

There are several groups to whom IVF treatment may be advised that include:

Women with blocked, damaged Fallopian tubes or inoperable tubes or whose tubes have been removed after ectopic pregnancies.
Women with endometriosis.
Women with cervical mucus problems.
Men with infertility problems.
Men or women with immunological infertility problems.
Couples with unexplained infertility.

Causes of infertility in couples having IVF/ICSI

User Contributed Notes

Samuel Marcus
29-Feb-2004 10:57

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the UK has issued guidelines on infertility treatment. Women aged 23-39 who have identifiable causes for their infertility problems and have been infertile for at least three years, should be offered three cycles of IVF treatment on the NHS. In couples where men have male factor infertility or the couples have unexplained infertility or where the women have minimal or mild endometriosis, they should be offered six cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI). Women should also be screened for chlamydia before treatment. For more information see www.nice.org.uk

Last updated: Thu, 24 Apr 2008 - 13:21:30
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