Välisviljastamise

Välisviljastamine, also known as in vitro fertilization (IVF), is a reproductive technology used to help people conceive when natural conception is not possible. The process involves the fertilization of an egg by sperm outside the body, followed by the transfer of the resulting embryo(s) into the woman's uterus.

The IVF process typically begins with the stimulation of the woman's ovaries to produce multiple eggs. This is usually done through the administration of fertility medications. The eggs are then retrieved from the ovaries using a needle guided by ultrasound. In the laboratory, the retrieved eggs are fertilized with sperm, either through conventional insemination or using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) if the sperm quality is poor. The fertilized eggs develop into embryos over the course of several days, and one or more are then transferred into the woman's uterus.

IVF is commonly used to treat a variety of infertility causes, including blocked fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, and unexplained infertility. It is also used to help women who have had multiple miscarriages or those who are undergoing cancer treatment. The success rates of IVF vary depending on the cause of infertility and the age of the woman, but overall, the live birth rate per embryo transfer is around 23-28% for women under 35 years old.

IVF can have both physical and emotional impacts on individuals. Common side effects include cramping, bloating, and mild pain during egg retrieval. Emotionally, IVF can be stressful and may involve dealing with the possibility of multiple pregnancy losses. However, for many couples, IVF is a successful pathway to parenthood.