In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure used to help individuals and couples conceive a child. The process involves several steps:

2. Ovarian Stimulation: The woman takes hormone medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.

3. Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are mature, they are collected from the ovaries through a minor surgical procedure.

4. Sperm Collection: A sperm sample is collected from the male partner or a sperm donor.

5. Fertilization: The eggs and sperm are combined in a laboratory to facilitate fertilization. This can be done by simply mixing the sperm with the eggs or by injecting a single sperm directly into an egg (a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection or ICSI).

6. Embryo Culture: The fertilized eggs (now embryos) are cultured in the lab for a few days to monitor their development.

7. Embryo Transfer: One or more healthy embryos are transferred into the woman's uterus in the hopes of achieving a successful pregnancy.

Why Use IVF?

IVF can be used for various reasons, including:

• Infertility: IVF is often recommended for couples who have been unable to conceive naturally after a year or more of trying.
• Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes: IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes, making it a viable option for women with tubal issues.
• Male Factor Infertility: Conditions such as low sperm count or poor sperm motility can be overcome with IVF, especially with ICSI.
• Ovulation Disorders: Women who have irregular ovulation or no ovulation can benefit from IVF.
• Endometriosis: This condition, where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside it, can affect fertility and may be treated with IVF.
• Unexplained Infertility: When the cause of infertility cannot be identified, IVF can be a next step.
• Genetic Disorders: Couples at risk of passing on genetic disorders can use IVF with preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to select embryos without the genetic condition.
• Age-Related Infertility: Women of advanced maternal age may turn to IVF, often using donor eggs, to increase their chances of conception.
• Single Parents and Same-Sex Couples: IVF provides an opportunity for single women and same-sex couples to have children using donor sperm, donor eggs, or gestational carriers.

IVF has helped millions of people worldwide to conceive and build families, making it a crucial option in reproductive medicine.