In vitro fertilization (IVF) was first proven effective as an assisted reproduction technique with the birth of Louise Joy Brown in 1978. The procedure was developed by surgeon Dr. Patrick Steptoe and physiologist Robert Edwards who won the 2010 Nobel Prize in medicine for his work. Today, IVF is a relatively common procedure undertaken for the benefit of the thousands of infertile couples.
Opposite Sides of the Spectrum
Yet, despite its 30-year existence on the arsenal of weapons wielded by the fertility specialists, IVF still has its fair share of critics, cynics and doubters as well as firm believers. On one hand, the critics of the fertility technique assert that it is being abused by patients and doctors alike who consent to multiple pregnancies even for women who may be unable to take good care of their children. Then and now, the ethical and legal issues of IVF remain.
On the other hand, the firm believers of in vitro fertilization are highly appreciative of the procedure simply because of the opportunity it provided to overcome their infertility. Since the procedure was introduced in the United States in 1981, more than 200,000 test tube babies have been born.
Success Rates
With such number of test tube babies and growing, many people will believe that IVF is successful in all aspects. However, like all types of assisted reproduction technology including gammete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), IVF is not infallible.
Many factors affect the success of all assisted reproduction technology with in vitro fertilization not being exempted from the rule. In fact, in figures compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the procedure, pregnancy was achieved in approximately 32 percent of all implantation cycles on average while one 25.6 percent of all cycles resulted in live births. In short, IVF is only successful in a quarter of infertility cases in which it was applied in full.
Many people ask about the fate of the unused embryos grown during the IVF process. Couples have the right to decide on this matter, which can be frozen for later use, donated to another infertile couple or destruction of the embryos. All of these options must be made with the approval of the couple and the consent of the fertility clinic.
Factors Affecting Success Rate
So, what exactly are the factors that affect the success of the in vitro fertilization technique? It must be said that success differs from one couple to the next precisely because of the unique infertility condition. The most common factors, nonetheless, are as follows:
- Age - The chances for success decreases with age. Thus, a woman under the age of 35 has a 40% chance of becoming pregnant with IVF while a woman over the age of 40 will only have an 11% chance.
- Lifestyle – No, we are not referring to the economic and social status of the couples. Instead, reference is made to the lifestyle choices made by the individuals before and during the IVF process. Smoking, alcoholism, substance abuse and poor nutrition adversely affect the success of IVF.
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Indeed, if in vitro fertilization is to become successful in your case, you have to become healthier in body and mind. It is not just about technology but also about helping Mother Nature perform her work.
