What is Test Tube Baby?
Although the medical term for this procedure is in vitro fertilization or IVF, it is often referred to as test tube baby, as the process occurs inside the lab, in a glass dish. Essentially, IVF is an assisted reproduction technique and is often opted for when couples face fertility issues.
Many people also resort to test tube babies to prevent genetic disorders. Moreover, IVF is relied on in the case of surrogacy or when the couple is using egg or sperm donors.
In this procedure, eggs are harvested from the female body, whereas sperm from males is taken, and placed inside a petri dish for fertilization. In the end, the resultant embryos are implanted inside the uterus.
When should you try for a test tube baby
IVF is used when the couple has already tried natural conception, fertility drugs, and artificial insemination, as it is more invasive and expensive. However, certain health conditions leave IVF as the only viable option.
One such case is when there are problems with the fallopian tubes. It then leads to an issue with the fertilization of an egg. In some people, the damage prevents the embryo from getting to the uterus, and hence fertility problems ensue.
Another common issue is when there is a problem with ovulation. As fewer eggs are produced then, the probability of fertilization falls significantly. Moreover, women who have endometriosis, fibroids, etc. also often have to undergo the IVF test tube baby process.
Men too, can have biological issues like impaired sperm count, poor mobility of the sperms, issues with the size or shape of the sperm that also make natural conception very difficult.
Many people also go for IVF due to the probability of genetic disorders. Once the embryo is formed, it is then scanned for genetic disorders, and implanted accordingly. Some people also use donors due to the risk of congenital disorders.
Furthermore, many couples opt for IVF to preserve embryos. Certain times diseases, career & relationship problems also pave the way for test tube babies, as people get the embryos frozen for when they are ready to have a baby. Unfortunately, some couples also suffer from unexplained infertility issues as well.
What is the difference between test tube baby, IVF and in vivo fertilization?
Test tube baby and IVF are the same procedures, where the former is part of the layman language and the latter is the proper medical term used to refer to this type of artificial fertilization.
In vivo fertilization, however, is a different procedure. In it, sperm is harvested from the male, treated accordingly, and then transferred into the female body via the cervix. It is also referred to as artificial insemination.
Often, AI is used in cases where women are going for a sperm donor, or their partner’s sperm count or mobility is low. This process serves to quickly deliver the sperm inside of the uterus then.
What are the possible health complications of IVF?
IVF is not an easy journey. While there are many test tube baby disadvantages, most people, admittedly, do not undertake this route due to their own accord. It is more of the last resort available to them
The possible complications of IVF include:
- Multiple births: Since the process is rather expensive, hence, multiple embryos are implanted at one time, to increase the probability of implantation. Occasionally, multiple embryos make it through, leading to multiple births
- Miscarriage: Even though the odds of miscarriage are the same overall, however, IVF often is resorted to by women of older age, who have a greater risk of miscarriage.
- Ectopic Pregnancy:It refers to the implantation of the embryo anywhere but inside of the uterus. Consequently, the pregnancy needs to be terminated.
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome: As women need to be injected with fertility drugs to harvest eggs, it leads to OHS. Symptoms of this condition include abdominal pain, bloating, digestive problems like vomiting or diarrhea. Severe cases lead to weight gain and shortness of breath as well.
- Procedural issues: Female body has to endure a lot during IVF rounds. Alongside the strain of hormone injection, the egg retrieval process is also painful. It can result in bleeding, infection, damage to the bowel or bladder, or even the blood vessels.
- Emotional Trauma: IVF is an emotionally draining process. The haywire hormones, expenses, expectations, and risks take a lot of toll on the mental health of the people.
Test tube baby procedure
- The first step in IVF is the stimulation of multiple eggs. As women produce only 1 egg in a month, it is then necessary to give them hormones to stimulate the production of a greater number of eggs. A doctor carefully monitors this process through blood tests and ultrasounds.
- Next up, these eggs are retrieved through the process of follicular aspiration. A needle is put through the vagina to suck the egg and fluid out of each follicle.
- After this, men are required to give the semen sample. The eggs and sperm are mixed in a petri dish to allow for fertilization to take place. This stage is known as insemination.
- Fourth step is the careful monitoring of the embryo. The doctor ensures that the cells are dividing during the percolation time. Genetic screening is also done during this time
- Finally, after 3-5 days, the embryos are implanted into the female body via catheter, through the vagina. A blood test is done after around 6-10 days to establish if the embryos have been successfully implanted.
What kind of doctors offer IVF?
Most often, gynecologists are the first point of contact when the couple is trying to have a baby. However, not every OB-GYN deals with fertility issues. For that purpose, it is important to visit a fertility consultant.
Certain doctors get specialist training in IVF and thus their knowledge of the subject is better. The specialist caters to the health of the patient from the start and also overlooks the pregnancy of the patient as well. The procedure for IVF baby delivery is not different from the usual
For contact with the best fertility consultants in Pakistan, you can visit Oladoc and book appointments with the respective experts.
What is the time required for successful conception?
IVF does not always result in pregnancy. Many couples have to get several IVF rounds to make a successful test tube baby. A ballpark 26- 32% probability exists for success. However, many factors affect the success rate.
Among these, the age of women is the most important factor. With increasing age, the chances fall, drastically. Moreover, the time elapsed since the couple has been trying to get pregnant, the cause of infertility, etc. also has an impact on the outcome.
But each IVF case is eventually different. Every couple has their journey!
Test tube baby price in Pakistan
The test tube baby price in Karachi, Pakistan can start somewhere from around Rs. 2,10,000
However, it is important to note that the test tube baby cost in Karachi is subjective to the treatment and the rounds done. IVF treatment cost runs relatively high, although, the test tube baby price in Pakistan is slightly lesser than in some of the developed countries.
What are the challenges of having a test tube baby in Pakistan?
Although the first test tube baby in Pakistan was conceived back in the 1980s, however, the challenges have not been abated yet. Due to the conservative outlook of the majority, mixed with ignorance, it is harder for some to resort to IVF.
Moreover, many religious issues have also reared their head. However, the Council of Islamic Ideology has allowed married couples to try for IVF under certain conditions. Still, surrogacy, egg or sperm donation, gender selection, etc. are not allowed
Furthermore, fertility treatments are offered mostly at private clinics. Since a large segment of society lives rather modestly, the high test tube baby price then makes it not possible for them to take up this treatment.
