WORLD IVF DAY 2025: HOW IVF BECAME A BEACON OF HOPE

“Children are a gift from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” – Psalms 127:3.

They hold a special place in this world, children beaming with innocence, untamed joy and endless curiosity. But the path to parenthood isn’t always straightforward. Not everyone gets the chance to conceive naturally, and for many, it’s a journey marked with heartache and hope. When nature needs a little help, science steps in. IVF has become a beacon of hope for millions, lighting the way forward for families who once felt in the dark.

You have probably come across the term IVF and most likely just associate it with infertility. You are not entirely wrong. Let’s dive into the nitty gritty of this life-changing procedure, uncover what really happens during the process, and why it continues to be a beacon of hope for millions around the world.

IVF or “in-vitro fertilization” , is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) that helps people become pregnant. It involves fertilizing a woman’s egg with sperm outside the body in a test tube and then transferring the resulting embryo into her uterus. When natural conception is challenging whether due to reproductive health issues, age-related factors or unexplained infertility, IVF offers a path to parenthood.

THE BIRTH OF IVF
• The 1950s (Testing IVF Techniques on Animals): Medical testing and observation were done on animals. Dr. Min Chueh Chang at the Worcester Foundation successfully delivered baby rabbits using the IVF process. These early experiments provided critical insights that would later make human IVF possible.
• The 1970s (Initial Attempts at IVF on Humans): Although IVF had shown promise in animals, early attempts on humans in the 1970s were unsuccessful. The technology and understanding were still developing, and success remained just out of reach.
• 1978 (First Human Born Through IVF): On July 25, 1978, a medical milestone was achieved: Louise Brown, the world’s first “test tube baby,” was born in the UK. Her mother, Lesley Brown, had been diagnosed with blocked fallopian tubes. Thanks to the pioneering work of Dr. Patrick Steptoe and Dr. Robert Edwards, IVF became a reality for humans, offering new hope to families struggling with infertility.

BREAK DOWN OF THE PROCEDURE

1. Ovarian Stimulation: Fertility medications usually, injectable hormonal medications (gonadotropins) are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
2. Egg Retrieval: A minor surgical procedure is performed to retrieve the mature eggs from the ovaries.
3. Fertilization: The retrieved eggs are combined with sperm in a laboratory dish to facilitate fertilization.
4. Embryo culture: Incubation of fertilised eggs in the laboratory allowing them to mature.
5. Embryo Transfer: One or more fertilized eggs (embryos) are transferred into the woman’s uterus.
6. Pregnancy: If an embryo successfully implants in the uterine lining, pregnancy occurs.

LET’S BUST SOME IVF MYTHS!
• IVF is only for female-factor infertility: Contrary to popular opinion IVF is also used in male infertility, often involving a procedure called ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) to help fertilize eggs. It’s particularly useful when blockage in reproductive tract, low sperm count, poor sperm motility or abnormal sperm morphology.
• IVF guarantees a baby: Unfortunately, no fertility treatment can offer a 100% guarantee. While IVF has brought hope and children to millions, success rates depend on factors like age, egg and sperm quality and overall health.
• IVF leads to higher rates of birth defects: Studies have consistently shown that children born via IVF have similar rates of birth defects and health problems as those conceived naturally. Advances in technology and monitoring have made IVF safer than ever.
• IVF is an unnatural process and lacks emotional connection: While IVF is a medical process, the emotional journey is deeply personal. Couples often experience strong emotional bonds with their child, just like with natural conception, sometimes even more intensely, given the struggles and sacrifices involved.
• IVF is always the first and only option: It is one of many fertility treatments and is usually considered after less invasive methods have been tried — like lifestyle changes, ovulation induction, or intrauterine insemination (IUI). It’s not always the starting point and it’s definitely not the only path to parenthood.
• IVF Increases the risk of developing cancer: There is no convincing evidence that IVF increases risk of cancer. Most studies show that any slight increase in risk is more likely related to the underlying infertility itself, not the IVF treatment.

While IVF is a beacon of hope for many, it’s not without its challenges.The journey can be physically demanding, emotionally draining and financially burdensome. Patients may face side effects such as bloating, mood swings or more serious complications like Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) and ectopic pregnancy. Beyond the physical aspects, the emotional toll of waiting, uncertainty, and potential disappointment can be overwhelming. IVF is a courageous path, one that requires strength, resilience, and often, a strong support system.

On this day, July 25th, we celebrate World IVF Day, a day dedicated to promoting understanding, breaking the stigma around infertility, and encouraging hopeful exploration of fertility treatment options.
To all those walking the often silent, emotional journey of infertility,
Hope is stronger than fear.
Just because your path looks different doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Not everyone will understand your story and that’s okay. It’s your journey, not theirs.
Hold on. Don’t give up.
Your bundle of joy will come in its own time, in its own beautiful way.

By Sharon Jeremiah Anuye.