The Evolution of Infertility Treatments

 

On July 25, 1978, Louise Brown of England was born. She was the first human to be conceived outside of a mother’s uterus and was coined the world’s first “test tube baby.” This was after her mother and father had tried unsuccessfully to have a baby for over nine years. Their overwhelming desire to start a family and the persistence of two British doctors, Dr. Patrick Steptoe and Dr. Robert Edwards, led to a revolution in infertility treatments. Dr. Robert Edwards died in 1988. Dr. Patrick Steptoe was awarded the nobel peace prize in 2010 for developing a process we now know as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).

Flash forward thirty-four years and things look very different for couples who are having trouble conceiving. Advances in medicine, medical technology and infertility diagnoses and treatments now make it possible and more likely than ever for couples to conceive children. In 2010, it is estimated that 58,727 babies were born through In Vitro Fertilization. However, there are number of steps that can and should be taken before In Vitro Fertilization is even considered.

If you and your partner are having difficulty conceiving, the first step is to schedule an appointment with your Gynecologist. He or she will conduct a medical interview, review your medical and family history and may perform a pelvic examination. Based on this information, he or she may want to perform tests to rule out certain issues and to more closely pinpoint the cause or causes of infertility. This may include referring your male partner to a male infertility specialist for testing and evaluation. Once all the necessary testing has been completed, he or she will recommend the most appropriate treatment to suit your specific needs.

If you are ready to start a family and are having difficulty getting pregnant, do not lose heart! Schedule an appointment with a qualified Gynecologist in your local area today so he or she can start the process of diagnosing the problem and helping you to achieve your goal!

Posted on behalf of Dr. Carlos Alarcon, Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, P.A.