In-vitro fertilisation

In-vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a way to let sperm fertilise egg cells outside of the womb. IVF is used so that infertile women may still have children. 
Methods
IVF is done by many methods. One method:
 Injecting a chemical drug to stop a woman's menstrual cycle (these are also used in the same way for travel sickness, such as after going abroad by plane)

Injecting FSH so that an ova is released from the woman's ovaries
HCG is injected to loosen the ova
The ova is removed from the vagina
A sample of sperm is taken
The sperm and egg are added together and a sperm will fertilise an egg

 The fertilised egg (zygote) is then injected into the woman's uterus

History
Louise Brown, a female born in 1978 in Manchester, England, was the first ever person to be born as a result of in-vitro fertilisation.

Some religious organisations believe that adoption is a better course of action for infertile couples. They think IVF is wrong because it involves inspecting embryos for defects to destroy and often results in the destruction of spare embryos. For those who believe that a person is formed at conception, this is considered killing.

 Related pages 
 Partner assisted reproduction (in vivo reproduction, sex)
 Pregnancy test
 Cardiotocography

 Other websites 
 Guide to infertility (HFEA) 

Category:Reproductive system
Category:Obstetrics and gynecology
Category:Pregnancy and childbirth
Category:Medical procedures