Test Tube Baby

Children are the gift of god but some couples are deprived of this gift. Scientists and doctors have invented a special technique i.e. test tube baby or I.V.F (in vitro fertilization) and embryo transfer. The first test baby was born in 1978 and he was Louise Brown.
In this system of fertilization, the egg is fertilized outside the woman’s body and is then transferred inside the uterus. Woman up to the age of 38 can get it done.
Getting a test tube baby is a time consuming phenomenon but an expensive technique. Being costly, this procedure is tried only after all other available options to conceive have failed.
It can be tried on females with faulty fallopian tubes or if no eggs are formed in the ovaries and if the male partner does not produce enough motile sperms to cause fertilization.
Method of In Vitro Fertilization
The procedure starts by taking various tests and detailed ultrasound is carried out. Proper semen analysis is also done. Injections are given to produce eggs.
Then an egg is taken from the ovary by a very thin needle through vagina. This is done under great medical supervision and takes around 30 minutes.
Now this egg is placed in the incubator before it is fertilized, till the time sperms are collected from the male partner and washed. After this the patient is allowed to go home.
Fertilization is then done in especially prepared fluid medium and after 12 hours the egg starts dividing into cells. About 48-72 hours later, the embryos become ready for transfer. The embryos are kept under observation for 2-3 days and then the best-selected embryo is transferred into the lady’s uterus.
When the pregnancy is confirmed, regular check-ups as per normal pregnancy procedures are done