#KhushKhabriWithIVF: Gone are the days when people used to wait for years to conceive naturally. Over the time, couples have turned to different techniques like in vitro fertilisation to embrace parenthood. If statistics are to be believed, around 2.5 lakh IVF cycles are done yearly in India with a growth rate of about 20%. This shows the growing acceptance of fertility treatments. This World IVF day 2023, let us share some interesting facts about IVF that you may not have heard before. Scroll down to read and follow our ‘Khush Khabri With IVF’ campaign for more informative pieces on IVF.
10 Facts About IVF
Here are ten amazing facts about IVF shared by Dr Sunitha Mahesh, Senior Consultant, Feto Maternal Medicine & Medical Director, Milann Fertility & Birthing Hospital, JP Nagar, Bangalore:
#1 Historic Milestone: The first successful IVF baby, Louise Brown, was born on July 25, 1978, in the United Kingdom. She was the world's first ‘test-tube baby’. The first Indian IVF baby, who also happens to be the second in the world is Kanupriya Agarwal, born on October 3, 1978.
#2 Natural Twin Boom: IVF has contributed to a significant increase in the number of twins and triplets being born. Multiple embryos transferred during the procedure is one of the major reasons for the surge in twins and other higher order pregnancies.
Also Read: Twin Pregnancy Double Joy Or Double Challenges?
#3 Frozen Embryos: With the advent of better technologies for storage of embryos, mainly vitrification, embryos can be kept frozen and transferred into the uterus when conditions are most optimal. Some babies born through IVF are called "snowflake babies" because they were conceived from frozen embryos.
#4 High Success Rates: Over the years, IVF success rates have significantly improved, with advanced technologies and techniques leading to better outcomes for couples trying to conceive. Currently, the success rate is between 30% to 50%, young women having the highest chances.
#5 Global Impact: IVF has enabled millions of couples around the world to achieve parenthood, making it one of the most impactful advances in reproductive medicine.
#6 Embryo Selection: Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) allows scientists to screen embryos for genetic abnormalities before transfer, reducing the risk of certain genetic conditions. PGT allows for the selection and transfer of the best quality embryos having the most potential for development.
#7 Egg Freezing: IVF has also led to revolutionary advancements made in the field of egg freezing. Decline in the quality and quantity of eggs in women as they age is a well known fact. Egg freezing allows women to freeze their eggs when they are younger and use them later in life to improve their chances of conceiving.
Also Read: Why Egg Freezing Is A Great Way For Fertility Preservation
#8 IVF for Endangered Species: IVF techniques have also been employed for endangered species as part of conservation efforts to increase the genetic diversity and survival chances of critically endangered animals.
#9 Record-Breaking IVF: In 1992, the Guinness World Record recognized the oldest woman to give birth through IVF, who was 63 years old at the time.
#10 IVF and Stem Cell Research: IVF has also been instrumental in advancing stem cell research and regenerative medicine, as it allows scientists to obtain early-stage human embryos for study.
While IVF has provided hope and happiness to countless families worldwide, it's essential to acknowledge that each person's fertility journey is unique, and IVF may not be the right path for everyone.
