In Vitro Fertilization-How to get Pregnant without Sex

The birth control pill, and other subsequent contraception, when used appropriately, prevent unwanted pregnancy. For pregnancies which occur and are not desired in the United States, Rowe versus Wade provides opportunity for termination of these pregnancies.  For most couples, pregnancy is a choice they desire, although for some it is as difficult to achieve as scaling Mount Everest. Over time, infertility has generally affected 11 to 15 percent of the population and may be contributed to by damaged fallopian tubes, difficulties with ovulation, inadequate sperm production by the male, and a few other issues.  While improvements in treatment methods of these deficiencies in recent years have increased their efficacy, only about 50% of infertile couples will conceive with their use.  Like a ray of light bursting in with hope, in vitro fertilization (IVF) came onto the scene with the first spectacular live birth in England, initiated by Drs. Edwards and Steptoe in 1978.  In the United States, under the aegis of Drs. Howard and Georgeanna Jones, America's first IVF pregnancy occurred in 1981 in Virginia. 

IVF involves the surgical collection of a woman's eggs and a man's sperm for fertilization, usually by masturbation, and fertilization occurs in the laboratory in a dish.  The resulting embryos are subsequently transferred into a woman's uterus for the pregnancy to proceed.  It may sound like a simple procedure, but it is not.  It is sufficiently convoluted that it requires the skill of a cadre of clinical, laboratory, and radiologic personnel.  The cost is usually about $18,000 per attempted cycle in the United States.  Each attempt has its emotional toll, as well. Nevertheless, it is sought after by most couples who do not conceive with simpler treatments.  IVF accounts for about 2% of babies born in the United States currently.  

It is said that when one door closes, a window somewhere opens. This seems to be the case with IVF, a welcome potential window for couples who can't conceive using traditional therapy methods.

by Dr. Barry Verkauf, author of the book, Sex, Science, Society, and Reproduction: The Pill that changed America