Every couple desires to see regular pregnancy and delivery, but experts often suggest an alternative called ‘Test Tube Baby’ if any of the spouses has defects or any abnormality arises in pregnancy.

How Test Tube works?

This procedure requires that egg cells from ovary and sperm of the male be collected in a test tube, and the container be kept in a temperature controlling incubator. An observation goes to notice if fertilization between sperm and egg cells takes place and a fetus creates. After the successful creation of a fetus, it is placed inside the uterus. In some cases, if the creation of ovum is possible through medication and the menstrual cycle is irregular, the next menstrual cycle is the ideal time for the placement of the fetus. Till that time, the embryo cell is kept refrigerated in a special process. In order to ensure pregnancy, scoring is undertaken through examination of the quality of the embryo. The right embryo is chosen on the basis of the proper growth of the embryo cells and reproductive motions.

Applicability of Test Tube:

·        Tubal defects are to hinder the entrance of sperm into the uterus

·        The oviduct is overly constricted or damaged or closed due to inheritance or diseases

·        There is absence of the required number of active sperm or inability of the sperm to reach the oviduct

Normal baby and a Test Tube baby:

The only difference between the two procedures lies in the process of creating the embryo. For the test tube procedure, it is done outside the female body. Many people have a misconception that a test tube baby comes with a shorter lifespan. However, the procedure may yield the delivery of multiple babies at a time, which is why the new born babies might have malnutrition along with other physical complications. In fact, childless spouses choose to go for a test tube baby.

Things to be followed:

·        Spouses need to refrain from alcohol, smoking or addiction to drugs.

·        Spouses must avoid taking caffeine more than twice a day.

·        They must avoid warm water during a bath.

·        Simple exercise is good, but observation is advisable for identifying if any issues occur with the development of the ovary.

·        Women must stop taking medicines that might cause abortion in 3-4 days after the placement of fertilized ovum collected from the ovary.

·        A balanced diet is strongly recommended while no changes in diet should be followed to lose weight.

·        During the collection of ovum and sperm, it is to be ensured that neither of the spouses has fever.

Complications:

·        Abortion after a few days without any notable reason.

·        Likelihood of the birth of twins or even more.

·        Success rate is not good enough for women with obesity or excessive fat.

·        Expensive procedure.

·        Physician’s attempt to create multiple embryos from multiple egg cells leading to severe harm to the female reproductive system.

Success rate:

On the whole, success rate is anywhere between 15% and 30%. Women between 25 and 35 years of age may enjoy a higher success rate that is 30%-40% while the rate is 15%-20% in women with 35-40 years of age and 10%-15% in women with 40-45 years of age.

Source: http://www.hfea.gov.uk/ivf-success-rate.html

Reasons for failure of the procedure:

·        Wrong assessment of the time taken by ovum in the ovary to attain maturity

·        Damage of ovum during segregation

·        Removal of ovum before full maturation

·        Failure of embryo creation from fertilized ovum

·        Improper growth of embryo despite successful creation

·        Improper placement of embryo inside the uterus

·        Any defects in the tools and technology used

When to avoid Test Tube procedure?

·        Failure of sperm or egg cells to conduct fertilization

·        Hormonal issues that might lead to abortion despite successful fertilization

·        Absence of maturation of the egg cells inside the uterus

·        Loss of the ovary’s regular efficacy

·        Any physical complication or disease leading to the harm to the uterus

·        Reduced production of sperm due to adulthood

Cost of treatment:

With cost of frequent blood tests, injections, operations and others added, the procedure is expensive and hardly affordable for middle class families. Added with this is the success rate which is not up to the mark. By far, the procedure is ideal for solvent families.

Conclusions:

Despite the poor success rate and expensiveness, this procedure can still bring a smile on the faces of spouses who can afford to it.

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