What's the matter with test tube babies
IVF is an assisted reproductive technology, also known as in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET), which refers to the artificial combination of male and female germ cells (sperm and eggs) in vitro and culture them into embryos, and then transfer the embryos to the mother's uterus or freeze them for use. The IVF technology was first successfully implemented by Robert G. Edwards and Patrick Steptoe of the University of Edinburgh in the UK in 1978, and has been promoted and applied worldwide so far.
The specific steps of IVF technology include the following stages.
The first stage: ovulation induction. The woman uses drugs to stimulate the ovary and promote the development and maturation of multiple follicles to increase the number of fertilized eggs.
The second stage: taking eggs. The mature eggs are extracted through a small operation - ovarian puncture.
The third stage: fertilization and culture. Combine the extracted egg with the sperm provided by the man in the laboratory to form a fertilized egg, and then culture the fertilized egg for several days to select the best quality embryo.
The fourth stage: embryo transfer. The cultured embryos are regularly checked and the most promising embryos are selected, and then they are transferred into the mother's uterus through a catheter.
IVF technology has brought new fertility opportunities to couples who cannot conceive naturally due to physiological reasons. With the advent of this technology, most infertile couples have the hope of becoming parents.
How much does IVF cost
The cost of IVF varies according to different regions, hospitals and treatment schemes. Generally speaking, the total cost of IVF includes medical examination fee, operation fee, drug fee, laboratory fee, embryo transfer fee and related follow-up fee.
In China, for example, the cost of IVF is between 100000 yuan and 300000 yuan. The specific cost will vary according to the age of the couple, the cause of infertility and the complexity of the treatment program. In some high-end private hospitals, the cost may be higher.
In addition, citizens in some countries and regions can enjoy medical insurance or other subsidy policies provided by the government to reduce the economic burden of IVF. Therefore, the specific cost of IVF should also refer to local policies and the specific pricing of medical institutions.
The real hospital
In China, IVF diagnosis and treatment centers and hospitals are set up everywhere, including but not limited to Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Shanghai Changhai Hospital, Guangzhou Maternity and Infant Hospital, etc. These hospitals have rich experience and professional medical teams, with a high level of IVF technology.
In addition, there are also well-known IVF hospitals around the world, such as London Reproductive Medicine Center in the United Kingdom, California Reproductive Medicine Center in the United States, etc. These hospitals bring together the world's top medical experts and advanced medical equipment to provide high-quality IVF services for infertile couples.
Summary
IVF technology is a kind of science and technology that helps infertile couples achieve fertility through in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. It is widely used in the world and has achieved remarkable results. The cost of this technology varies according to different regions and treatment schemes, generally around hundreds of thousands of yuan. There are real IVF hospitals in China and all over the world, including many well-known hospitals and diagnosis and treatment centers. The introduction of IVF technology has brought new fertility hope to infertile couples and provided strong support for them to realize their dream of becoming parents.
