Assisted reproductive technology is a boon for couples who face trouble conceiving naturally. Couples with fertility issues can rely on ART to become parents. There are various assisted reproductive techniques popular worldwide. IUI (Intrauterine Insemination), IVF (In-vitro Fertilization), and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) are some of the common ART techniques adopted by couples to conceive. ART gives couples suffering from fertility problems a better chance of conceiving a biological child of their own. However, choosing this treatment mode needs careful consideration as it depends on several factors.
This article takes a brief look at how couples can proceed with choosing ART to resolve their fertility problems.
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Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is primarily a fertility procedure that increases the chance of conception. It is a procedure where the eggs from women are surgically harvested and combined with the sperm in a laboratory. ART is becoming widely popular due to its high success rate.
Here’s a quick look at some of the popular assisted reproductive techniques available for couples with fertility issues.
This is the first-line option of ART for couples with fertility issues that have no apparent cause or for couples with male factor infertility. During this process, the semen is collected, processed in the lab and inseminated into the uterus with the use of a catheter. This process helps the semen reach the eggs quickly, thereby increasing the chance of conception.
It is a popular ART procedure used in couples with various fertility problems. It involves collecting and fertilising eggs and sperm in a controlled laboratory environment. The fertilised embryo is then transferred into the uterus, where it gets implanted in the uterus lining, resulting in a successful pregnancy. Acceptance of In-vitro Fertilization options is rising due to its high success rate.
The eggs and sperm of the couple are under certain laboratory techniques, and then it is implanted in the fallopian tube of the woman. In this ART procedure, the fertilisation occurs inside the uterus.
In this type of ART, the embryo is transferred directly into the fallopian tube instead of the uterus, as in the case of IVF.
Intracytoplasmic sperm injection is an advanced IVF technique where the sperm is directly injected into a single mature oocyte. The resulting embryo is transferred into the uterus. It is a more preferred technique right now.
Women over 35 have a lower chance of conceiving. Laser-assisted hatching is a reliable ART procedure in which a hole is made using a laser on the outer shell of the embryo. This helps to increase the chance of embryo implantation in the uterus lining. This procedure is usually carried out as part of the IVF procedure. Women with recurrent implantation failure can also opt for this procedure.
Women with defective eggs or very less eggs or women over the age of 40 can opt for this ART procedure. In this procedure, eggs from a donor are used to fuse with the sperm for fertilisation.
● Age: Age is a crucial factor when deciding the type of ART procedure. Fertility usually declines as you age. The quality and quantity of eggs decrease as you become old. So, the choice of ART mainly depends on your age. It is better to opt for IVF than IUI for older women.
● Medical History: Your medical history plays a key role in deciding on the type of ART procedure. Couples may suffer from fertility issues due to their current health condition. Chronic health issues can affect their fertility and reduce the chance of conception. Couples can opt for an ART procedure based on their health issue.
● Reproductive Health: The reproductive health of the men and women is assessed before choosing an ART procedure. The fertility specialist decides on an ART procedure based on the fertility issue of the man or woman. For eg, IUI is recommended for couples with unexplained infertility. Also, women with low egg count or blocked fallopian tubes go for IVF procedures.
● Success Rate: The success rate of the various ART procedures varies. The success rate of IVF is high when compared to other ART procedures.
● Cost: Cost is an important factor when deciding the type of ART to use in conceiving. ART procedures are expensive as they involve the use of the latest technology and fertility drugs. Intrauterine insemination is less expensive than IVF. Couples can opt for an ART procedure based on their budget.
● Risks and Complications: Most ART procedures are not associated with risks and complications for the mother and the baby. The chance of multiple pregnancies increases with the IVF procedure. There are slightly higher chances of preterm birth and low birth when you get pregnant through IVF procedures. It also increases the chance of gestational diabetes, placenta previa and preeclampsia.
Assisted reproductive technologies are popular due to the rise in fertility issues. Couples can opt for any of the ART procedures based on their age, fertility and health conditions. The cost and risk associated with the ART procedure also impact the choice of the ART procedure. It is up to the couple to decide on the type of ART procedure to get pregnant. They must do adequate research and consult a qualified fertility expert.
The cost of assisted reproductive techniques varies based on the type you choose. The cost varies based on the technology used in the ART technique. It is up to the patient to choose a type of ART based on its budget.
Age is a crucial factor when choosing the right ART. The success rate of ART declines as your age increases. This is mainly due to the decreased quality and quantity of eggs and sperm of aged couples.
Yes, there are few risks associated with ART procedures. Risks are low birth weight, preterm delivery, placenta previa, preeclampsia, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and multiple pregnancies. But when done from a good centre these risks are greatly minimised.
