Self-report of IVF

My name is Xiao Ming. I am an ordinary primary school student like other students in school, but I am different from them because I grew up in a "test tube". You must be wondering, how is it possible! Everyone grows up in their mother's belly. Don't worry, let me tell you slowly.

My parents have a deep affection for each other, but they are unable to have offspring due to some diseases. About 10% to 20% of couples of childbearing age in the world suffer from different types of infertility like my parents, which is a global problem that affects the harmony of families and society. After many consultations, they decided to try IVF technology. IVF is the common name for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer technology, which refers to the whole process of taking eggs from female ovaries, fertilizing them with sperm in vitro and culturing them for 3-5 days, and then transplanting embryos that have developed to the blastomere stage or blastocyst stage into the uterine cavity to implant and develop into a fetus. Therefore, "test tube babies" are not babies that really grow up in test tubes, but refer to the use of test tubes or culture media instead of fallopian tubes to provide a place for the fertilization process, and "test tube babies" are named after this.

In 1978, the world's first test-tube baby was born by British doctor Robert Edwards. In 2010, he won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for this research, and the test-tube baby technology was recognized. The test-tube baby technology has made it possible for many infertile patients to give birth to new lives, and it is now becoming more and more popular in my country. This technology has now developed to the fourth generation, but the four generations of technology are not replaced by new generations, but each generation of technology is dedicated to solving different fertility problems.

So what kind of couples is in vitro fertilization technology mainly for?

Clinically, patients with infertility such as tubal infertility, unexplained infertility, endometriosis, male factor infertility, abnormal ovulation and cervical factors who cannot conceive through other conventional treatments are all indications for "test tube babies". Because the treatment cost of this technology is high, ovulation-inducing drugs and surgical operations are required during the treatment process, and there is a risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, ovarian bleeding and injury. Therefore, the Ministry of Health strictly stipulates that this technology should be carried out according to the indications, and couples who do not have the indications for test tube babies cannot accept this technology.

You must be curious about whether there is any difference between children conceived through IVF and those conceived through normal conception?

Just look at me and you will know that I am no different from other children. Through testing, all indicators of IVF are normal. There is no obvious abnormality in physiology, psychology, intelligence, etc. compared with children born from normal conception. Therefore, parents who want to try IVF technology do not have to worry too much about the future development and growth of their children. However, in order to increase the success rate of IVF, you must choose the best age for conception, choose a regular and professional hospital, and relax.

Mothers who conceive through IVF technology are often more cautious during pregnancy, so mothers can be in an optimal physiological state, which provides a good growth environment for the fetus. First of all, mothers should adjust their mentality and maintain a happy mood. For all kinds of discomfort caused by pregnancy, it is necessary to realize that this is a normal physiological reaction, avoid excessive anxiety, and do not abuse drugs to relieve symptoms. Secondly, maintain good living habits, ensure adequate and good rest and sleep; do housework and physical exercise appropriately; quit bad habits such as smoking and drinking, and eat less coffee, tea, cola and other caffeinated foods; nutrition should be comprehensive and balanced, with a combination of meat and vegetables, coarse and fine, moderate hunger and fullness, and no partiality or picky eating; finally, you must insist on regular prenatal examinations and be alert to abnormalities during pregnancy, so that you will have your own healthy baby in the near future.

References:

[1]. Introduction to “Test Tube Baby”[J]. Journal of Chongqing Medical University, 2019, 44(08):972.

[2] Guo Huining, Zhang Qiujin. Overview of IVF technology[J]. Biology Teaching, 2021, 46(08): 2-4.

[3] Peng Jing, Lu Daru. Development and discussion of in vitro fertilization technology[J]. Nature Magazine, 2010, 32(06): 338-343+308.