Test tube babies, as they are commonly known, are created using IVF or In Vitro Fertilization which literally means fertilization in glass. The woman’s eggs are taken from her ovaries and then in a laboratory dish, fertilized with sperm before being inserted into her womb. Women who use In Vitro Fertilization are often recommended this method when others have failed or because they are older.

The In Vitro Fertilization process should go something like the method set out below but may differ slightly between clinics. Initially your physician will give you hormone blocking drugs normally produced during your menstrual period. Blocking the hormones helps the doctor have greater control over your egg production. You then take different drugs to make your ovaries produce more than one egg.

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Estrogen levels produced by the eggs are monitored to ensure they rise, using vaginal ultrasound scans and blood tests. Another hormone injection will be given when the tests show the time is right to help the eggs mature. Timing is crucial, as you must have this injection 34-38 hours before your eggs are collected - this may mean you having it last thing at night. When it is time to collect the eggs, you may be given a general anesthetic or drugs to make you feel drowsy as they are collected by ultrasound guidance and it takes about 30 minutes.

It is now the male’s job to ensure that a fresh sperm sample is ready. The health of the sperm is important so after a short storage period they are spun at high speed after being washed so only the healthiest and most active are used. Sperm which has been donated is kept in a freezer but the same method for preparation is used. Your eggs are then mixed with your partner’s sperm and left in a laboratory dish for 16-20 hours before they are checked to see if any have fertilized. Successfully fertilized embryos are then left for a further day to two days before the last inspection is carried out.

In order to help prepare your womb, pessaries, gel or an injection are given two days after your eggs have been collected.

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