How old can a test tube baby be born?
Test tube baby technology (assisted reproductive technology) is a method that combines eggs and sperm in the laboratory to cultivate embryos, and then transfers the embryos to the mother's uterus to develop into a fetus. However, the exact time of IVF birth depends on several factors. In this article, we will elaborate on the time limit of IVF birth from four aspects: pregnancy, fetal development, perinatal period and medical restrictions.
pregnancy
The pregnancy period of IVF is the same as that of natural pregnancy, about 40 weeks. The development process of IVF eggs is similar to that of naturally fertilized eggs, but they are developed in culture dishes and then transplanted into the mother's uterus. Therefore, the pregnancy period of IVF is usually as long as that of natural pregnancy. This means that IVF babies are generally born around 40 weeks of gestation.
During the whole pregnancy, the development of IVF will be monitored by regular B ultrasound, blood testing and other monitoring means. Medical professionals will make appropriate fetal development assessment and monitoring measures according to the health status of the mother and fetus.
Fetal development
The fetal development process of IVF is the same as that of naturally pregnant fetus, which has a series of stages. Although the growth rate of each fetus may be different, it is generally possible to observe the development of the fetus according to the following time periods:
At the 3rd week after the transfer of the fertilized eggs, the embryo began to differentiate into the ectoderm and ectoderm. The fertilized eggs further develop and form embryo bubbles. Later, the embryo develops the placenta and other important tissues.
By the eighth week or so, the embryo has developed into a fetus. At this point, the fetus will have limbs, internal organs and other important structures. The brain and heart of the fetus begin to form and begin to beat.
By the 12th week of pregnancy, the fetal organs had basically formed and began to grow. The urine of the fetus begins to be produced and can be discharged from the body through amniotic fluid. The nervous system, skeleton and respiratory system of the fetus also continue to develop.
Perinatal period
The perinatal period of IVF before and after birth is similar to that of natural pregnancy to a large extent. The perinatal period usually lasts from 37 weeks to 42 weeks. If a test tube baby is born after 37 weeks, it is considered as full term birth. However, once the IVF reaches 37 weeks, the doctor may recommend an elective caesarean section to control the pregnancy and reduce the risk of the fetus or mother.
No matter whether the test tube baby is born through natural delivery or caesarean section, doctors and nurses will provide comprehensive perinatal care to ensure the safety and health of the mother and baby.
Medical restrictions
Although the pregnancy period and fetal development time of IVF are similar to those of natural pregnancy, there are also some medical restrictions. The success rate of IVF decreases with the increase of female age, because the increase of female age will affect the egg quality. Doctors usually advise women to try IVF under the age of 35.
In addition, medical facilities will also set some restrictions. For example, some hospitals may stipulate that the fetus can be transplanted only at a specific developmental stage to improve the success rate of transplantation. Doctors will make decisions according to personal conditions and medical guidelines to ensure the safety and health of IVF.
To sum up, the birth time of IVF mainly depends on many factors, such as pregnancy, fetal development, perinatal period and medical restrictions. The pregnancy period of IVF is usually the same as that of natural pregnancy, about 40 weeks. During the whole pregnancy and perinatal period, medical professionals will ensure the health status of mothers and fetuses through various monitoring means. However, there are also some restrictions in medicine, such as female age, the opportunity of embryo transfer, etc. Understanding these factors is very important for IVF families to make wise decisions and get the right medical support.
