In Vitro Fertilization - Research Paper Example

? In Vitro Fertilization In vitro fertilization (IVF) first performed by two doctors, Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards, isa scientifically advanced procedure that provides an effectual solution for those couples who are suffering from infertility caused by any reason. Since the successful attempt in 1978, many couples in various parts all over the world have opted for this procedure and have enjoyed rewarding outcomes. In this simple procedure the egg is removed from the woman after ovulation and is then fertilized in the laboratory with a sperm under strict observation. After the formation of embryo, it is implanted in the woman’s uterus through a quick 20 minute procedure. The success rates of IVF are different for every couple and they should carry out a thorough research and analyze their options before committing for IVF. Certain risks are associated with IVF which can affect both the mother and the fetus. Spontaneous abortions, low birth weight babies and congenital abnormalities are feared from IVF pregnancies. IVF requires a firm sense of commitment from the couple as it not only requires a long term strict medical vigilance but also a strong financial and emotional support. The couples should be made aware of the associated risks and feared outcomes. With the modern advancements, improvements in IVF are being made and the associated risks have also been controlled to a great extent. In Vitro Fertilization In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a remarkable scientific and medical solution for those couples who cannot reproduce naturally because of any reason. In vitro fertilization has a Latin origin and it means “fertilization under glass”. The name was given because initially glass dishes were used in the laboratories for the whole procedure. The application of IVF widely all over the world provided a solution for those couples who were hopeless and it seemed impossible to reproduce or have children of their own. This advanced form provides a solution for the treatment of various causes of infertility in both men and women. The quick and feasible procedure is widely chosen by many couples because of its high success rates in various countries. However, many ethical dilemmas and feared outcomes highlight the other side of IVF (Alabi 2012; Charlesworth 2004). It is important to understand the basic procedure involved in the IVF along with its historical evolution in the field of medicine. In vitro fertilization is a technique used as a means of reproductions for people who cannot conceive naturally and this method has its own benefits as well as short-comings and these factors have been highlighted by various researches and studies. The first successful attempt at IVF was made in the year 1978 in England. On 25 July 1978 the first baby was born through the IVF technique. Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards were the two doctors who made this remarkable procedure possible and a healthy baby girl, Louise, was born to Lesley and John Brown. Many commented on the possibilities of acquiring complications in the child because of the IVF procedure. But to everybody’s delightful surprise, Louise grew up as a completely healthy and normal child. This successful attempt was achieved by the two doctors after repeated unsuccessful 80 experiments with infertile women and it took a long time period of 10 years. The Lancet published this remarkable outcome on 12 August 1978. After this fruitful attempt, many different clinical settings in various parts of the world also applied this procedure as a treatment for the infertile couples. In 1981, Elizabeth Carr who was the first in-vitro baby of the United States was also born with the assistance of the team at the Jones Institute in Norfolk, Virginia. Initially the success rate of IVF was very unpredictable and very few victorious attempts were made. Some of the major short-comings included its high cost, intensive labor and only suitable for those women who faced infertility because of tubal obstruction. With the passage of time, doctors and scientists made repeated experiments to understand the procedure better and reduce the complications and adverse effects of the procedure. A break-through was made in 1992, when IVF led to the birth of a baby to a 62 year old woman, by using the egg form another woman. This represented the advancements made in this particular field and the improved skill and technology of the doctors (Charlesworth 2004; Dyson 1995). The legislators also took interest in this new advanced tool. The Warnock Committee in England forwarded its recommendations about the IVF implementation guidelines to the Lord Chancellor and lead to the formulation of the Act 1990 after being approved in the parliament. Now this technique is widely accepted in various parts of the world. In USA, 400 centers for IVF particularly are present signifying its demand and increased rate of success. Now the IVF procedure is not restricted to only those women with tubal obstructions- but infertility caused by endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, poor ovulation, abnormalities in menstrual cycles, repeated miscarriages and autoimmune causes are also treated with IVF. Moreover, if the male partner is facing low sperm count problems or any other infertility cause; the couple can still make use of IVF as a solution (Charlesworth 2004; Dyson 1995). Many women consider that IVF procedure resembles a surgical operation, but that is a misconception. In a procedure of 20 minutes, the embryo is passed into the uterus of the woman. The woman can leave the hospital the same day after the whole process (Alabi 2012). Before the implantation of the embryo into the female, the healthy egg and sperm are fertilized in a laboratory environment. The woman from whom the egg is taken is monitored closely until the time of ovulation through ultrasounds, blood tests and urine tests. The egg is then removed through a simple procedure in which a needle is inserted through the pelvic cavity, under local anesthesia, and the egg is removed from the ovaries. The second step is attaining the sperms which are obtained usually through ejaculation. The third and most important step is called insemination, in which the egg and sperm are fused in incubators. Once fertilization is successful, the resultant product is called an embryo and is ready for implantation in the female. After insertion of embryo into the female’s uterus, she is closely monitored through laboratory tests for signs of pregnancy and the healthy growth of the fetus (American Pregnancy Association 2007). The success of IVF has been possible because of the recent advancements and the improved technology. The circumstances and outcomes of IVF can never be the same for all the couples who think about adopting this treatment. It is important to first find out the cause of infertility. If the cause is diagnosed and is treatable though other options like drugs or surgery, they should be also considered by the couples before opting for IVF. Unexplained infertility is a term which is given to infertility with no explainable cause or reason and occurs in 10% cases of infertility. In such cases apart from IVF other procedures are also available and should be considered before reaching a final decision. These include intrauterine insemination with partner sperm or donor sperms. In a nutshell, the couple should be aware of the treatment options they have and should be aware of the pros and cons of every procedure. If they truly want to commit to the IVF procedure, only then they should proceed with the whole procedure (Charlesworth 2004). The successful outcome of the IVF is dependent on various factors like treatment strategies, particular features of the patient and laboratory quality standards. In United States the live birth rate for each IVF has been established as 30% to 35% under 35 years old women, 25% for 35-37 years old women and 15-20% for women between the age group of 38 to 40 years (American Pregnancy Association 2007). Certain risks are associated with the IVF procedure and are specific for the various steps of the whole procedure. A very rare disorder called “Ovary Hyper Stimulation Syndrome” is associated with the stimulation of ovaries resulting in swelling and tenderness in ovaries. Symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, weight gain within five days of procedure and shortness of breath are rare and only occur in 1% of the cases. A very important aspect is the chance of multiple pregnancies. In one cycle not more than four embryos are transferred to achieve the desired results. However, it can lead to multiple pregnancies if all the embryos are implanted. The questions about the leftover embryos also are a query of the patients. IVF is an expensive procedure and the couple requires a long term financial and emotional commitment for this procedure. They require counseling and proper awareness about the whole procedure before they make their final decision. Furthermore, there are chances that the IVF results in an unsuccessful outcome which can be a very discouraging event for the couple. Emotional support is crucial in these circumstances (American Pregnancy Association 2007). The IVF pregnancy can lead to complicated outcomes and undesired results. Spontaneous abortion is one of the problems in IVF pregnancies. According to a study in France, the spontaneous abortion rate in a group of 100 was found to be 22.5%. Multiple pregnancies areanother undesired and feared consequence of IVF. The chance of live birth rates from IVF decline after the age of 40 years and also the chance of becoming successfully pregnant from IVF (Matson & Lieberman 1990). The condition of the children conceived through IVF is another very conspicuous aspect of this topic. Studies have showed that babies born through IVF have higher incidences of congenital abnormalities, low birth weight, higher order births and prematurity issues. Congenital abnormalities like hypospadias, undescended testes, pyloric stenosis, tongue tie and squint have been observed more in such babies (Matson & Lieberman 1990). According to a recent report, it has been established that IVF procedure increases the risk of Down’s syndrome in the children. The old age of mother mostly above 35 years also increases the risk by many folds. A group of 34 women who were above 31 years were included in the study. After extracting their eggs, the chromosome profile was studied and genetic abnormalities were observed in a few. It was observed that the genetic abnormality pattern was different from the one seen in the classic Down’s syndrome in the children born from the natural process of reproduction. Thus, IVF is considered as a risk factor for Down’s syndrome in the babies (Roberts 2011). Dutch researches have also highlighted a very alarming aspect of IVF. According to them, women who have undergone IVF and had taken the fertility drugs are more vulnerable to ovarian cancers in their later years of life. In normal women the incidence of ovarian cancer is 1 in 1000 but in women undergone IVF the rates were 3.5 in 1000. The follow-up of 250,000 women was established in Netherlands and it was observed that mostly cases of “borderline” ovarian tumor were diagnosed. However, IVF is not an absolute or major risk factor for ovarian cancer. The women should be informed of this potential risk but it should be overstated and they should be reassured reasonably (Briggs 2011). The procedure of IVF till the end is an expensive process and requires a strong financial back-up. For one cycle of IVF the cost in US dollars ranges from $8,000 to $20,000. This cost includes the IVF cycle procedure including the Ultrasound monitoring, laboratory procedures, consultation fees and screening tests. Many insurance companies in fifteen states of U.S.A. offer financial aid in cases of infertility or IVF. If a couple is looking into acquiring IVF as a treatment plan, they should take wise and planned steps for their financial back-up. Emotional counseling is very crucial. Infertility can cause feelings of despair and low-self-esteem in a person. This can not only affect the individual but also their partner and indirectly their relationship. Stress on marriage and conflicts between partners can also occur if they do not seek a professional help to sort out this matter. Sexual life of the couple is also affected because of the realization that they cannot conceive naturally. Employment is another aspect which becomes difficult to manage along with the expenses of the IVF. Awareness through literature, talking with doctors and psychologists is helpful in such cases. Furthermore, talking to a family who has already experienced a successful IVF can also help a couple manage their emotional and financial problems (Charlesworth 2004). IVF technique has developed through the years with the improvement of the doctor’s skills and the establishment of better technological support. IVF is associated with a list of potential risks and benefits. The risks associated with IVF have been established by various studies carried out in various countries and the documented records of IVF outcomes. Nevertheless, IVF provides a very hopeful solution for those couples who have no other cure for the problem of infertility. A complete awareness of the procedure, its requirements, pros and cons and the potential outcomes can help them in coming to a decision that will be fruitful for them in the long run. IVF requires a strong financial support and continuous emotional support. Couples should be emotionally counseled so that they can face any undesired conclusion of the procedure. Careful monitoring of both the mother and the child is important to exclude any cases of spontaneous abortion, miscarriages or any abnormalities in the child. IVF is a widely accepted practice and couples in need of a solution rely on this advanced fertility tool all over the world. In vitro fertilization has served as a ray of hope for many couples who have been unable to conceive naturally. The process has its benefits but all the factors encompassing the procedure should be considered before opting for it. Furthermore, the outcome of the procedure is not known and this technique is very expensive and beyond the affordability of a large number of people. Couples need to be very strong and determined before choosing this procedure. References Alabi, C.T. (2012, March 13). “Nigeria: IVF provides 90 percent solution to infertility”. Daily Trust, All Africa Global Media.Retrieved from: http://allafrica.com/stories/201203130364.html American Pregnancy Association. (2007). “In Vitro Fertilization: IVF.” American Pregnancy Association: Infertility. Retrieved from: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/infertility/ivf.html Briggs, Helen. (2011, October 26). “IVF linked to ovarian tumors”. BBC News Health.Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-15467844 Charlesworth, L. (2004). The couple's guide to in vitro fertilization: Everything you need to know to maximize your chances of success. Cambridge, MA: Da Capo Lifelong Books. Dyson, A. O. (1995). The ethics of IVF. London: Mowbray. Matson, P. L., & Lieberman, B. A. (1990). Clinical IVF Forum: Current views in assisted reproduction. Manchester: Manchester University Press. Roberts, Michelle. (2011, July 4). “IVF procedure may increase the risk of Down’s Syndrome”. BBC News Health.Retrieved from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-13992232 Read More