Bangalore: Since the birth of the first test tube baby 34 years ago in the United Kingdom, the world has seen five million new births, according to a new study that says In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is a boon for infertile couples. Bangalore too is adding to it with many couples adopting this procedure in the recent years for many reasons. The IVF procedure has in fact, allowed women to have children until a much older age, sometimes, even after menopause.
However, with only 40 per cent success rate, how do the city couples fare in this emerging trend? City Express takes a look into the reasons for the increasing trend and also the controversies surrounding the IVF. A leading infertility expert, Dr Mahesh Koregol says, “Every month, 40-50 patients come to me for test tube babies. Over the last two years, the rate of couples opting for IVF has gone up by 5 per cent. Moreover, people are coming forward, shedding their age old inhibitions.” He added, “Late marriages due to professional and career decisions are some of the reasons that I have come across for couples opting for this procedure.”
However, Dr Punyavathi Nagraj from Gynac and surgical clinics said, “Only 40 per cent of the cases are fruitful. The success of IVF depends basically on the couple themselves. It is very important for the woman to come for periodic check-ups and take proper medication for a successful outcome.”
The baby-making business
One of the major criticisms that IVF has been facing is the affordability factor. The rate starts from Rs 1.5 lakh in the city today and without any guarantee of success. Ranjitha (name changed), along with her husband had opted for IVF and underwent the procedure six times but with no result. She said, “We have spent about Rs 8 lakh but in vain.”
Apart from the cost, the long time period that goes into the success of IVF is extremely frustrating. The woman is constantly under scrutiny be it her monthly cycles or the regular intake of fertility injections. These steps are necessary to ensure the retrieval and transfer of the fertilised egg into the womb.Another criticism faced by IVF technology is that often a woman under IVF is faced with a condition known as OHSS or Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome.
There is a huge risk of multiple embryos attaching themselves to the uterus. This can cause complications such as twins or triplets or selective termination of the embryos. Last but not the least, women who undergo IVF are usually at a high risk of a condition known as ‘ectopic pregnancy’. This is a life threatening condition where the embryo implants itself either in the fallopian tube or in the uterine cavity.
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