World IVF Day: A New Hope for Childless Couples

Posted On: 2024-07-25 10:35:01

Almost all couples dream of one day holding a little one of their own in their hands. A combination of the best of two of them is a joy which can be compared to none. However, many couples are denied this simple pleasure due to infertility. They spend their entire lives looking at other couples with longing.

However, in the modern age that sadness can become history. IVF is a technology that helps many couples fulfil their dream of becoming parents. So, how does IVF work? Well, instead of fertilization happening inside a woman's body, it happens in a laboratory. First, eggs are collected from the woman's ovaries. Then, these eggs are combined with sperm from the man in a petri dish. This is where fertilization takes place. Once the fertilized eggs, now embryos, start to develop, one or more of them are carefully placed back into the woman's uterus. If everything goes well, one of these embryos can implant in the uterus and grow into a baby.

To raise awareness of this new reproduction technology and celebrate those who made it possible, 25th July is celebrated annually as World IVF Day. The date was chosen as it coincides with the birthdate of Louise Brown, the world’s first IVF baby, who is still alive today at the age of 45.

Hearing the age of the first IVF baby, it is easy to come to the realization that IVF is a relatively new technology and many people are unaware of it. Naturally, many myths persist about IVF. To break some myths, we will quote Dr. Supriya Puranik ‘s blog. Dr. Supriya Puranik is a leading gynaecologist and an IVF expert in India.

In her blog, Dr. Puranaik lists some myths and breaks them down as follows:

• Myth 1: IVF is always successful.
• Fact: While IVF can significantly increase chances of pregnancy, it is not always successful. Success rates vary depending on factors such as age, fertility issues, and the quality of eggs and sperm.
• Myth 2: IVF is the only way to conceive if experiencing infertility.
• Fact: IVF is one of many fertility treatments available. Other options include fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and surgery.
• Myth 3: IVF always results in twins or multiples.
• Fact: The chance of having multiples is higher with IVF due to the transfer of more than one embryo. However, single embryo transfers are becoming more common to reduce this risk.
• Myth 4: IVF increases health risks for your baby.
• Fact: Most babies conceived through IVF are healthy. While there is a slightly increased risk of birth defects with IVF, the overall risk remains low.
• Myth 5: IVF increases your risk of health problems.
• Fact: The most common side effects of IVF are minor and include bloating, mild cramping, and constipation. Serious complications are rare.
• Myth 6: Eating pineapple will improve IVF outcomes.
• Fact: There is no scientific evidence that eating pineapple or any other specific food will improve IVF outcomes
• Myth 7: Babies born through IVF have health and developmental problems.
• Fact: Most children conceived through IVF develop normally. While there may be a slight increase in the risk of certain conditions, the overall risk remains low.
• Myth 8: IVF takes away eggs that you would otherwise have and diminishes your reserve.
• Fact: IVF involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs in a single cycle. This does not deplete the overall egg reserve
• Myth 9: Ovarian stimulation causes cancer.
• Fact: Current research does not support a direct link between ovarian stimulation for IVF and increased risk of ovarian cancer.
• Myth 10: IVF is never successful at the first attempt.
• Fact: Many people achieve success on their first IVF cycle, but success rates vary widely and depend on individual circumstances
• Myth 11: Age doesn’t matter for IVF success.
• Fact: Age is an essential factor in IVF success. Women under 35 generally have higher success rates
• Myth 12: If IVF fails once, it will never work.
• Fact: Many people who don’t succeed on their first IVF cycle do achieve success in subsequent cycles
• Myth 13: IVF leads to cancer.
• Fact: There’s no conclusive evidence linking IVF treatments to an increased risk of breast or ovarian cancer.
• Myth 14: IVF is too costly for most people.
• Fact: While IVF can be expensive, many clinics offer financing options, and some insurance plans provide coverage for fertility treatments.
• Myth 15: IVF guarantees a baby
• Fact: While IVF increases the chances of pregnancy, it doesn’t guarantee a baby. Success rates vary greatly depending on factors such as age, fertility issues, and lifestyle habits.
• Myth 16: IVF is more likely to result in a girl.
• Fact: The sex of the baby is determined by the sperm, and IVF does not influence this.
• Myth 17: IVF is only for women with blocked tubes.
• Fact: IVF can help with many types of infertility, including male factor infertility, unexplained infertility, and ovulatory disorders.
• Myth 18: Stress causes IVF failure.
• Fact: While high levels of stress can negatively impact overall health, there’s no definitive evidence that stress directly causes IVF failure.

Filaantro is open to support couples seeking children through IVF. Those who wish to raise money for their IVF procedure can reach out to us through our website or social media handle. 

Thank you for taking the time to read this article. Make sure to share it with all your friends and family members. 

AUTHOR: Adil Sayyad