What is a Test Tube Baby?
A "test tube baby" is a term commonly used to refer to a baby conceived through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This groundbreaking medical procedure involves combining an egg and sperm outside the body in a laboratory dish. Once fertilization occurs, the resulting embryo is transferred to the woman's uterus, where it can implant and develop into a pregnancy.
The IVF Process
The process of creating a test tube baby through IVF involves several key steps:
- Ovarian Stimulation: Hormonal medications are administered to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
- Egg Retrieval: Once the eggs are mature, they are retrieved from the ovaries using a minor surgical procedure.
- Fertilization: The retrieved eggs are combined with sperm in the lab. This can be done using conventional IVF or Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is injected directly into the egg.
- Embryo Culture: The fertilized eggs (embryos) are cultured in the lab for a few days to allow for development.
- Embryo Transfer: One or more healthy embryos are selected and transferred to the woman's uterus.
- Implantation and Pregnancy: If the embryo implants successfully, it leads to pregnancy.
Success Rates of Test Tube Babies
The success rates of IVF can vary based on factors such as age, cause of infertility, and the quality of the embryos. On average, the success rates are:
- Women under 35: 40-45% per cycle
- Women aged 35-37: 30-35% per cycle
- Women aged 38-40: 20-25% per cycle
- Women over 40: 10-15% per cycle
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