‘In Vitro Fertilization’, or simply IVF, is a new generation solution to failed pregnancies, which are getting a lot common in the so called advanced lifestyle of today. The reason for infertility can be anything, genetic or any deficiency arose over time. The situation is not new, but the cure is. It was the year of 1978 in England, a boy named Louis Brown was born. He was just like any other boy in the town, but he came out of the womb with a big revolution. This revolutionary boy in the medical history was named as the first test-tube baby. When mankind first came across this concept, it was no less than a miracle to them. Some doomed it as a procedure of going against the nature of life, but in the long run, it brought happiness to millions.
In today’s world, it is famous as IVF (The process of fertilizing the egg with sperm outside the body; mainly in a laboratory). During the year of the miracle boy, Louis Brown, the procedure of creating a baby artificially was a complex one and was rarely opted by patients. But the US medical science changed the whole scenario, and now IVF is a household word. However, there are certain myths attached to this procedure of artificial fertilization, owing to which many couples drop this idea and sulk over their luck the whole life. Breaking all the myths, here are some facts about the donor egg IVF, which the present day woman must be aware of:
IVF helps women of different health conditions become mothers
Failure in natural fertilization can happen to any women, irrespective of his age. There can be many reasons, starting from the decline in ovarian function due to advancing age, early menopause and problems with the uterus. Other medical complication like birth without ovaries and surgically removed ovaries in the past, can be one of the major causes of infertility among women. These cases are not rare, but getting more and more in numbers.
It has also been seen that patients undergoing cancer removal therapies suffer problems of infertility. Well, cancer therapies make use of radiation and this certainly affects the female reproductive system. In all these cases, IVF is the answer to rejoice in motherhood.
Only you and your partner will be entitled as the legal parents
As per the laws of the Government, any women who is willing to donate eggs, is entitled to be barred from every legal right and responsibility of the child who is going to be born. Under this clause, the recipient of the egg along with her husband would be the parent of the child, and would be liable for every sort of expense and responsibility towards the child.
Some couples fear, what if the donor comes running to their doorstep asking for the baby. This clearly will not be happening in the future as the donor is very well made aware about the policies and laws attached to the procedure and there shall be no repercussions. Thus, you and your spouse will be the sole parent legally.
Donor eggs are always from a healthy woman
As you are going to use the eggs of some other woman, you always have the advantage of giving birth to a healthy and mentally sound child. Hospitals offering IVF solutions go through thousands of profiles of women, who wish to donate their eggs. They are made to undergo various tests and procedures, failure in that leads to rejection of the profiles. A well defined parameter is taken into consideration while choosing the right donor eggs.
People tend to consider scholars, artists, musicians and athletes amongst the best breeds of human. Besides, profiles of women within the age group of 20s and early 30s from different ethnicities and social backgrounds are analyzed. Various factors, like the donor’s medical history, interests, physiological details and talent predict the future of these eggs. After going through all these set procedures, the eggs are inseminated into the recipient’s womb. Thus, a win-win situation for the women seeking to get pregnant.
Donor would be having sufficient eggs to have her own children
Here is one common myth about egg donation. Many people, especially the donors believe that after donating their ovarian eggs, they would run out of eggs to start their own family in the future. Well, it is just a myth and donors must not be wary of it. The fact is after attaining puberty, women produce eggs every month and around 10-20 of them are washed away from the body during the mensuration cycle. Then this cycle of producing eggs continues the next month. So donors, feel free to donate as many times you want as your body has enough backup for yourself.
Egg donation is a big time commitment
Egg donation is not like sperm donation. In sperm donation, the donor can be free of the process in just a few minutes, and it has no complications as well. On the other hand, egg donation is surely a big time commitment. The procedure involves making the body of the woman ready as per the standards, as the first motive. This is usually done by medication, which continues to near about six weeks in a stretch.
For the recipient to get pregnant, it is necessary that the birth cycle of the donor to be synched with her body. It’s like pausing the birth cycle of the donor and then playing it again when the surrogate’s body is completely ready to continue with that of the former. The donor is also required to take egg development hormones as a part of the standard procedure. All this happens in six weeks of time, post the actual procedure of insemination. However, the actual procedure of egg transplant only takes 10-15 minutes, but the real deal lies before it.
Egg donation is not painful
Having an IVF procedure done is not painful. Many people think of it as painful, but the standard procedure of introducing the eggs is carried under the influence of a sedative. IVF is a minor medical procedure that only requires 10-15 minutes, during which the patients do not feel anything, penetrating through the vagina. Some people do complain about little discomfort after the egg retrieval procedure is done, but the doctors describe it as cramps, which women feel during their very first days of pregnancy. These cramps are usually described as temporary stinging by the patients.
As IVF requires stimulation of the ovaries using hormones, regular injections of them are given to the patient. This can go on for 9-10 days and as a result the patient might complain of a temporary sting at the injection spot. Feeling of bloating or heaviness in the lower abdomen can also be experienced after the actual procedure. This happens due to the enlargement of the ovaries in the uterus, which must not be characterized as pain.
[Know more about Infertility Treatment in India]