As we get older, do we still have a chance to have children? You have been trying to conceive naturally for many years… but still not pregnant! If you are experiencing the problem of “difficulty having children” and don’t know which temple to pray for blessings, try to understand more about “In-vitro Fertilization (IVF)”, another fertility technology that helps treat infertility!!
What is In-vitro Fertilization or IVF?
IVF (In-vitro Fertilization) is the process of fertilizing a woman’s egg with a man’s sperm outside the body by mixing them in a glass tube (test tube). Then, the embryo is transferred back into the woman’s uterus to grow normally during pregnancy.
Who is IVF suitable for?
-
- Women who have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes on both sides
- Men who have low sperm count, weak sperm, or poor sperm motility
- Couples who have tried to conceive naturally for over 3 years without success and the cause of infertility is unknown
- Couples who have tried intrauterine insemination (IUI) but failed
- Women diagnosed with pelvic adhesions
Advantages of IVF
With continuous advancements in IVF technology, it has become one of the fertility technologies that give hope to couples facing infertility. This method allows the selection of strong sperm and healthy eggs for fertilization outside the body. Not only does it have a relatively high pregnancy success rate, but IVF also enables the selection of healthy embryos, helping to avoid genetic diseases or abnormalities that may occur in the baby.
Chances of “having a child” through IVF
Although the chance of pregnancy through IVF is quite high, with a success rate of about 20-50% per cycle, besides medical technology, other factors also affect the chance of pregnancy, including…
-
- The quality and strength of the man’s sperm and the woman’s eggs. If either or both are weak, the chance of pregnancy decreases. This may be due to the couple’s behavior or age, as older couples have lower success rates than younger couples.
- The woman’s mental health. If the woman maintains a positive mindset, avoids stress, gets enough rest, and eats nutritious food, it will help promote successful embryo implantation.
- The efficiency of the laboratory, readiness of equipment, and expertise of the embryologist. Embryo culture requires understanding and careful attention to minimize errors.
Are babies born from IVF the same as naturally conceived babies?
Research from Scandinavian countries found that babies born from IVF “are no different” from babies conceived naturally, including the rate of congenital disabilities. The only difference may be a lower birth weight, which can be managed by giving special attention to prenatal and postnatal care.
Because “having a child” is another step that completes the meaning of family. But if many factors prevent a couple from conceiving naturally, IVF may be another solution to help fulfill your wish.