FAQs
What is assisted reproduction?
Assisted reproduction refers to medical techniques used to help individuals or couples conceive a child when natural conception is difficult or impossible. It involves manipulating eggs, sperms or embryos to aid in conception.
Who can benefit from assisted reproductive technology (ART)?
ART is beneficial for individuals or couples with infertility. Single mother and individuals with genetic conditions or medical issues liked blocked fallopian tubes, ovulation disorders, endometriosis, unexplained infertility, male factor infertility preventing natural conception. ART is also helpful to those individuals or couples who want to preserve their fertility for personal or medical reasons or to a single woman who wants to become a mother.
What are the different types of assisted reproductive technologies?
Common ART methods include intrauterine insemination (IUI), invitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), egg and sperm donation and surrogacy. The less common ones include gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT), Zygote intrafallopian tube transfer (ZIFT).
Is assisted reproduction safe?
ART procedures are generally safe but may carry risks such as multiple pregnancies, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and potential birth complications, though majority of ART-conceived babies are healthy.
What are the success rates of assisted reproductive techniques?
Success rates vary based on age, fertility issues, and the specific procedure used. One of the major factors affecting the success rate is woman’s age and embryo quality. IVF success rates can range from 20% to 50% per cycle.
What is IUI, and how does it work?
IUI is a fertility treatment where sperms after being washed and concentrated are directly placed into the uterus at the time of ovulation to increase the chances of fertilization. This procedure can be used in conditions like low sperm count or quality, cervical factor infertility or unexplained infertility.
How does IUI compare to IVF?
IUI involves placing the sperms in the uterus, allowing the sperms to fertilize the eggs on their own. While IVF involves retrieving the eggs and sperms and fertilizing the eggs inside the lab using the advanced technology, ensuring fertilization and embryo formation. IUI is less invasive and more affordable than IVF but has lower success rates, especially for women with severe fertility issues.
Who is a good candidate for IUI?
IUI is often recommended for couples with unexplained infertility, mild male factor infertility, or cervical mucus problems. It can also be used when there are no sperms found in husband or when a single mother wants to conceive using donor sperms.
What is IVF?
IVF is a procedure where eggs are retrieved from a woman's ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a lab to form an embryo which is then implanted into the uterus. IVF may be done using the couples own eggs and sperms or may also be done using donor sperms and eggs.
How long does the IVF process take?
From ovarian stimulation till the embryo transfer the whole process takes about 2-3 weeks’ time. Sometimes it may take longer if the procedure is split in to different steps.
How many IVF cycles are usually needed to achieve pregnancy?
There is no set number of IVF cycles to achieve pregnancy. Many get pregnant with first cycle while others may require multiple cycles to achieve pregnancy. On an average many couples achieve pregnancy with 2-3 cycles.
Are there any lifestyle changes that can improve IVF success rates?
Yes, maintaining a healthy weight, adopting a balanced diet, regular exercise, managing stress, avoiding alcohol and smoking, ensuring adequate sleep and taking essential vitamins can improve IVF success rates.
Can IVF be done with donor eggs or sperm?
Yes, donor eggs or sperm can be used in IVF for individuals with fertility issues. This is recommended when there is low ovarian reserve, premature ovarian failure, repeated IVF failures, severe male factor infertility, unexplained infertility.
What is egg donation?
Egg donation is when a fertile woman donates her eggs to help another woman conceive through IVF who is unable to do so with her own eggs, thereby, allowing the recipient to carry a child. Egg donation is considered in woman who have low ovarian reserve, premature ovarian failure, repeated IVF failures, genetic conditions, etc.
Who should consider using donor sperm?
Donor sperm is an option for single women and couples where the male partner has severe male infertility with no sperm or low sperm count and quality, single mothers and those who want to avoid passing genetic conditions.
What is surrogacy, and how does it work?
Surrogacy is when a woman (the surrogate) carries a pregnancy for another person or couple and delivers the baby for them. There are two types of surrogacies. In gestational surrogacy the embryos are made using gametes of the intended couple or donor gamete/s. In traditional surrogacy the surrogate eggs are used.
Does ART increase the risk of birth defects?
Most children conceived through assisted reproduction are healthy. Some studies show that the risk of birth defects is slightly higher in ART-conceived children, though the increase is not substantial.
Can ART help with genetic diseases?
Yes, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can be combined with assisted reproductive technology to screen for genetic conditions before embryo transfer and can prevent the transmission of genetic condition to the offspring. PGT can detect chromosomal structural abnormalities, abnormal chromosomal number or single gene defects.