In vitro fertilization essay

In vitro fertilization: the last hope for infertile couples

Imagine yourself in this situation: You have been happily married for 5 years and you have tried several times to have children, but somehow your wife doesn´t get pregnant. You have already tried other alternatives for getting her pregnant but they have failed; now, doctors talk to you about one last option that is very effective called In vitro fertilization. However, you have heard it is unethical and against your religion, so you and your wife decide to keep trying in a natural way. She never gets pregnant and you live the rest of your life wondering how would it have been to be a father (Attention grabber). Reproduction is one of the most important things in everyone’s life. In vitro fertilization, usually referred to as IVF, is a common treatment for couples with infertility. For infertile couples that really need it, in vitro fertilization is the best option to finally start the family that they have always wanted (thesis statement).  In my following speech I will convince you that In vitro fertilization is the most successful way to achieve pregnancy for infertile couples that have tried for many years to have babies without achieving it (Additional information).

            In vitro fertilization usually is used only by couples that have trouble getting pregnant without intervention. The procedure involves the female partner taking medication to stimulate her ovaries to produce more eggs than usual. Then, the eggs are harvested surgically once they have matured. The male partner then produces a sperm specimen and the sperms are combined in the lab with the woman's eggs. The embryos are grown in the lab for three to five days and then the most viable embryos (usually one or two) are transferred back to the woman's uterus. Seven to ten days later, she takes a pregnancy test. Depending on the circumstances, the procedure has a roughly 30% success rate each cycle it's tried. But, it can cost more than $10,000 per cycle.

            It might sound too expensive, but for couples with certain types of infertility, in vitro fertilization gives them the benefit of increasing tremendously the chances of getting pregnant. A 30% success rate per cycle doesn´t sound much convincing, but considering their 0% success chances without this procedure, In vitro fertilization has converted into an amazing solution for those couples that have tried to have babies for many years without achieving it. For example, a woman who has blocked fallopian tubes will have a good chance of getting pregnant through In vitro fertilization, but almost no chance without intervention. In vitro fertilization can also be the best choice for men that have a low sperm count or other impediments to fertilize the egg. Using In vitro fertilization and implanting already created embryos eliminates the need for the sperm to navigate the woman’s reproductive tract; increasing this way the chances for the woman to get pregnant.

            In vitro fertilization would also be the treatment of choice any time a couple decides to use donor eggs, such as if the woman is suffering from premature ovarian failure or has other issues with her own supply of eggs. In these cases, the embryos would be created using the woman's partner's sperm with the donor eggs and then transferred into the woman's uterus during the correct point of her menstrual cycle.

            Besides helping couples to get pregnant, who in any other way they could never be able to have children, the in vitro fecundation gives you the opportunity to detect on time genetic abnormalities en the eggs before transferring them into the mother. Some women have a high risk of having a baby affected by serious chromosome defects; but with the new medical technologies, the doctors are now able to test the chromosomes in each embryo before completing the In vitro fecundation in order to make sure that viable embryos are being transferred to the mother.

            There are still taboos to break down about in vitro fertilization. The lack of information in some couples has caused them to refuse to use this amazing procedure to get pregnant. The main ethical dispute of this procedure is that during most of the treatments, there may be extra embryos that will never be transferred back to the mother at any point. The religion and culture have a huge influence on the people who refuse to use this assisted pregnancy method; that’s why it is very important to first consult with a professional in order to receive trustful information before making your decision. However, I believe that the decision has to be made in mutual agreement by the couple according to their own point of views and beliefs.

            In conclusion, in vitro fertilization is a very successful procedure that has brought the opportunity of being parents to many infertile couples from all around the world. The in vitro fertilization process might not be easy, but it is a possible solution for those couples that have failed in their fertility treatments. It is very important to make an informed choice about this procedure and not just refuse to do it without knowing what it is. Don´t get frustrated if you have problems to get pregnant. Infertility must not end up your hopes of having a child, your hopes end up when you say no to in vitro fertilization. (Concluding remark)   

Bibligraphy

            "In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Costs, Transfer and More - APA." American Pregnancy Association. Web. 29 June 2014. <http://americanpregnancy.org/infertility/ivf.

            Tilton, Nan, Todd Tilton, and Gaylen Moore. “Making miracles: in vitro fertilization”. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 2009. Print.

            Daniels, Kay. "Advantages of In Vitro Fertilization." eHow. Demand Media, 4 Feb. 2009. Web. 29 June 2014. <http://www.ehow.com/about_4760556_advantages-vitro-fertilization.html>.