Courtesy Mayo Family Clinic

Askdr.Ken… Simplifying IVF

There has been a lot of misconceptions about Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)
globally. These misconceptions have been on the basis of perceived complications, anti-natural
procedure, the believe that it is a risk factor for diseases like cancer, and that it could result in
miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, increased stress and possible birth defects among other fears.
All of these fears associated with the procedure may or may not be real, as people are merely
driven by lack of proper understanding. As a consultant Gynecologist and a Reproductive
Biologist with over 16 years of experience, I am here to give you the accurate information on
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) with focus on the IVF procedure. In this series, you
will truly understand what IVF entails and why it could be the best option for you if as a couple
you are finding it hard to conceive. That said, we start by understanding the concept itself.

What is IVF?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) which
comprises of a series of procedures that help to ultimately achieve conception.

Here, mature eggs (oocyte) are collected (retrieved) from the ovaries, and the sperm of the male
partner is collected as well. These are mixed in a petri dish, in the lab, where fertilization occurs.
The embryo is cultured for few days and then transferred to the woman’s uterus where
implantation occurs, and pregnancy is achieved. The fate of the pregnancy is same like that of
any other pregnancy that occurs spontaneously (in the normal cycle). The only difference here is
that fertilization is aided and it occurred externally.

There are many reasons pregnancy may not occur spontaneously. From the problem of low or no
sperms, to complications of blocked fallopian tubes in the female, poor quality of eggs,
abnormalities with the womb, and a whole lot of problems. The IVF procedure stands in the gap
between these problems and the possibility of ever conceiving and bearing children.

The IVF treatment also finds importance in the condition of elimination of unfavorable genetic
traits. This happens when the parents are carriers of certain genetic traits which they do not want
their offspring to inherit. A prominent example is the sickle cell carrier gene. Here, an advanced
approach is adopted in editing the gene that will be responsible for the expression of these unfavorable traits in the embryo before implantation. Sex determination is also a key possibility
of the IVF treatment procedure.

Against popular belief systems people have built around IVF and Assisted Reproductive
Technology (ART) in general, the reality is, most of the problems of infertility find solutions
here.

I trust that you now have a grasp of what we are getting into. Join me in this ride as we try to
understand one of the greatest possibilities of the century in the field of human reproduction as
well as the processes involved, while clarifying the myths surrounding it.

Next week, we will look extensively at the medical condition that may imply that you and your
partner should consider IVF as the means to conception. This will be followed by subsequent
articles that explains the procedure and factors to be considered getting started. You don’t want
to miss out on this.

I look forward to seeing you in the next release. Stay fine, and always remember that conception
and child bearing is a possibility for everyone.

Dr. Kenneth Egwuda is a Consultant Gynaecologist, Minimal Access Surgeon, IVF Specialist,
and a Reproductive Biologist. He has over 16 years of practice and experience. He trained in the
UK, India, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, and Germany. He is the CEO of Africa’s premier hospitality-
based fertility hospital, ALPS Hospitals and Diagnostics, Jos, Nigeria. The facility stands at the
center stage of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) in Africa. It holds the record of one of
the oldest first-time delivery mum in Africa through the IVF procedure at the age of 63.

You can reach him via the following:

info@kennethegwuda.com.ng
+234 813 321 7186
Facebook and YouTube @askdoctorken
Instagram and Twitter @kennethegwud

Or visit Alps Hospitals and Diagnostics located at No. 10 Fwavwei-Zamaraganda Rayfield Road,
Jos, Plateau State Nigeria