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:
Injecting a chemical drug to stop a woman's menstrual cycle
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 is unnatural.
Other websites
Guide to infertility (HFEA)
Reproductive system