Bearing children is the continuation of life. However, for many couples, facing fertility struggles becomes a difficult hurdle to overcome.
In 1978, the world’s first “test-tube baby” was born in the United Kingdom. This was considered another major medical breakthrough following the success of heart transplants, offering couples with fertility issues a renewed possibility of becoming parents. Continuous advancements in assisted reproductive technology (ART) have brought a glimmer of hope to many couples unable to conceive naturally.
Dr. Prakash M Chandrakanthan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre in Klang, explains that In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)—also known as test-tube baby technology—is a non-natural method of conception that uses assisted reproductive technology to perform fertilization outside the body.
He notes that IVF can be completed using a couple’s own eggs and sperm. It is a form of assisted reproduction where, through manual intervention, high-quality sperm and eggs are selected to combine outside the body to form fertilized eggs. Subsequently, high-quality embryos are screened and placed back into the mother’s uterus for natural gestation.
Psychological Stress Can Lead to Infertility
Dr. Prakash points out that there are several causes of female infertility, such as blocked fallopian tubes, ovulation disorders, and endometriosis. On the male side, issues may include low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormal sperm quality.
“Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic lifestyle stress can affect the endocrine system, interfering with female ovulation and male sperm quality, thereby reducing the chances of pregnancy. Environmental pollution may also be a factor contributing to the decline in male sperm quality and reproductive capacity.”
Seizing the “Golden Age” for Fertility Planning
Is the success rate of the first IVF attempt high? Dr. Prakash notes that while some people successfully conceive during their first cycle, IVF is not a 100% guaranteed success.
He states that the success rate for a single IVF embryo transfer typically falls between 40% and 60%. This rate is influenced by age, equipment technology, the quality of sperm and eggs, and the quality of the embryos and the uterus.
The success rate of IVF varies based on age and the cause of infertility. For women over the age of 38, the success rate gradually declines as age increases. For men over 40, the success rate of IVF also begins to drop.
“Age is one of the most important factors affecting IVF success. As age increases, ovarian function deteriorates, and the quantity and quality of eggs decrease, leading to a lower success rate after transfer. Low sperm count or weak sperm in men can affect embryo quality after fertilization, also leading to a lower success rate.”
The IVF Process
Dr. Prakash explains that the entire IVF process takes approximately 2 to 3 months. The procedure generally includes: pre-treatment health screenings, ovulation induction, egg retrieval and sperm collection, in-vitro fertilization and embryo culture, embryo transfer, and pregnancy testing.
“As an assisted reproductive technology, IVF assists women in getting pregnant by combining the woman’s eggs and the man’s sperm in a laboratory to form embryos, which are then implanted into the woman’s uterus.”
Before starting the treatment, doctors assess the physical health of both partners. They arrange a series of tests and blood work to determine suitability for IVF. This includes ovarian reserve testing to determine the number of available eggs, as well as checking the man’s sperm count, morphology, and motility.
“Regarding ovulation induction, blood tests and ultrasounds are performed, followed by a series of ovulation-stimulating injections or oral medications. Once the follicles are mature, egg retrieval surgery and sperm collection are scheduled, and the eggs and sperm are fertilized in the lab. After fertilization, the process enters the laboratory embryo culture stage.”
“The next stage is embryo transfer, where the cultured embryo is placed into the woman’s uterine cavity via a catheter to await implantation. About one to two weeks after the transfer, the patient returns for a blood test to confirm if the pregnancy was successful.”
Book a consultation with Dr. Prakash M. Chandrakantan, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Reproductive Medicine / Fertility at Sri Kota Specialist Medical Centre, for personalised fertility care.
If you have any concern, do contact us at 03-3375 7799 @ ext 7712
by Dr. Prakash M Chandrakanthan, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist