Infertility and In Vitro Fertilization

The desire of a couple to grow their child can be faced with one major difficulty which is infertility; the inability to reproduce by natural process. Infertility can be caused by structural complexities of a woman’s reproductive organs. It could also be as a result of menopause, poor ovulation (low production of eggs),fallopian tubes,defection from sexually transmitted disease and many other influential conditions. Infertility in a woman generally demonstrates the inability of a woman to carry a young one till birth. However, childbirth challenges are not only among women. Some men who are infertile may be as a result of low sperm count, inability to produce life sperm and many other organ deficiencies. This notwithstanding, there are medical interventions to salvage the opportunity to give birth; in vitro fertilization, which usually is the last resort to fertilization, when other medical interventions have failed.

What is In vitro fertilization?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertilization treatment which involves the combination (fertilization) of female eggs with sperm outside the body, usually in a test tube. After which the fertilized eggs are planted in the female’s womb. The planting process is usually done after about 2 to 6 days of fertilization. And in most cases, more than one egg is fertilized and planted to ensure the process did not fail completely based on the level of misshapen in the process. In vitro fertilization does not only demonstrateinfertility in a woman. Men with low sperm count or deficient sperm quality can be assisted using in vitro fertilization. It is also possible that a woman seeking in vitro fertilization cannot produce eggs and hence, donor eggs are used for the process. Men who cannot produce life sperm cells also receive donor sperm for in vitro fertilization of their partners.



In vitro fertilization was first used by two researchers; Steptoe and Edwards who successfully used IVF to deliver the first test tube baby, Louise Brown into the world on the 25 July 1978. Louise Brown was born at Oldham General Hospital in the United Kingdom. And since then, IVF has been in use around the globe, though different countries have different regulations on how IVF should be used and when it can only be used. The second test tube baby was born in India after about 67 days from the date Louise was born. 

Infertility caseswhere in vitro fertilization was successfully used

The following infertility challenges have been conquered using in vitro fertilization. They include:

• Infertility due to blocked fallopian tube


• Low sperm count in men


• Repeatedly pregnancy loss


• Pelvic Inflammation (Endometriosis)


• Genetic diseases


• Secondary infertility

The above-listed conditions are only but a few of the fertility challenges which have been solved by the use of in vitro fertilization.

In Vitro fertilization procedure

To conduct a successful in vitro fertilization, some procedures must be observed to enhance the chances of success. As such the procedures below are very vital towards making it beyond delivery using in vitro fertilization.

• Stimulation of the ovary

Fertility medication is used to improve the ovaries for the multiple egg production within 8 – 14 days of the menstrual cycle

• Monitoring of the development of the Follicle

Blood hormones are checked and ultrasounds performed to investigate the follicle’s condition

• Trigger injection to enhance egg maturity

An injection is given to the woman to make the eggs ready for fertilization

• Egg collection

About 15 eggs are removed from the follicles through the virginal.

• Fertilization

The eggs are combined with the sperm and incubated overnight for fertilization to occur

• Embryo development, selection and planting

The most active embryos which are fertilized are selected by the embryologist and sent into the woman’s uterus

• Implantation

The embryos will implant at the uterus walls if the entire procedure is successful and the baby continues to grow.