1.

Test tube baby

CONS:

The concept of a “test tube baby” is a topic that for many years has drawn much debate. First, it
is best to understand what the term “test tube baby” really means. Many people have the
misconception that babies are created in a glass tube and then mothers are impregnated. While
to some degree the main idea is the same, the process is not. Test tubes refer to in vitro
fertilization (IVF) consists of sperm and an egg coupling to start the process and then that
coupling is inserted into the mother for full fertilization and the term of the pregnancy

Those who oppose IVF often have many of the same views. The most common view is that IVF
will create or cause birth defects and deformities because the baby was created in a “test tube”
rather than in a traditional host. Many people feared that test tubes would cause illnesses that
were not treatable, or would cause deformities because IVF was so new. The only way past that
though is with trying.

It has been used for a long time and has a safe track record. The first ‘IVF baby’, Louise Brown,
was born using natural IVF in 1978. Since then, the technology has advanced, and techniques
refined in order to create safe and successful treatment. The doctors use only the safest forms
of IVF with the lowest drug regimes in order to prevent side effects such as Ovarian
Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).

Though IVF is a very expensive and time consuming method, it is by far the most effective
treatment in order to bear a child.

VF helps patients who would be otherwise unable to conceive. The ultimate advantage of IVF is
achieving a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. IVF can make this a reality for people who
would be unable to have a baby otherwise:

Blocked tubes: For women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, IVF provides the best
opportunity of having a child using their own eggs.
Older patients/ patients with a low ovarian reserve: IVF can be used to maximise the chance of
older patients conceiving. At CREATE, we have great expertise with older women and those with
low ovarian reserve. We use Natural and Mild IVF to focus on quality of eggs, rather than
quantity.

Male infertility: Couples with a male infertility problem will have a much higher chance of
conceiving with IVF than conceiving naturally. We have a number of laboratory techniques to
facilitate this including intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We also liaise with an
experienced urologist, Mr Vinod Nargund.

Unexplained infertility: 1 in 6 couples will suffer infertility problems and sometimes these remain
undiagnosed after investigation. These patients may benefit from intervention.

PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome is common condition in which there is a hormone imbalance
leading to irregular menstrual cycles. IVF has proved very successful in patients with PCOS, who
will not respond appropriately to fertility medication in isolation.

Endometriosis: Patients with endometriosis, where parts of the womb lining grow outside the
womb, may like to try IVF, as it has proved successful in this group.

Premature ovarian failure: Women with premature ovarian failure or menopause can have IVF
treatment using donor eggs, which typically has high success rates.

It has been used for a long time and has a safe track record. The first ‘IVF baby’, Louise Brown,
was born using natural IVF in 1978. Since then, the technology has advanced, and techniques
refined in order to create safe and successful treatment. We use only the safest forms of IVF with
the lowest drug regimes in order to prevent side effects such as Ovarian Hyperstimulation
Syndrome (OHSS).
IVF is more successful than IUI and other forms of assisted reproductive technology. IVF success
rates have been increasing year on year since its conception, thanks to technological advances.
Although IUI and other forms of assisted reproduction technology can be successful for some
patients, on the whole they have not undergone the same level of improvement, and do not
currently have as high success rates. IUI with donor sperm can however be a useful first option
in single women and same-sex couples.

It can help single women and same-sex couples. For single women or same-sex couples who
wish to have a child, IVF can provide a great opportunity for helping them to become parents.
IVF with donor sperm can help potential patients achieve this goal.

It can help to diagnose fertilisation problems. In some cases of unexplained infertility, there
could be a problem with fertilisation. Cases such as these may not be diagnosed until fertilisation
is attempted in the laboratory. Although this would be a disappointing outcome, it is useful to be
able to uncover such problems so that solutions can be reached for future treatment with ICSI.

Unused embryos can be donated to research or another couple. If you are lucky enough to have
embryos to spare, these can be used to help other people and even save lives. With the
permission of the biological parents, unused embryos can be donated for research purposes, or
to another couple to enable them to have a child.

It can be used to screen for inherited disease. For individuals who are known carriers of genetic
disorders such as cystic fibrosis, Huntington’s disease and muscular dystrophy, IVF with pre-
implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) is one of the most reliable ways to ensure that a child
conceived will not suffer from the disorder. Pre-implantation genetic screening (PGS) can
improve the chances of a successful cycle, as it screens embryos for chromosomal disorders such
as Down’s syndrome. Both of these techniques will shortly be available at our clinic.