Download Health Class - Amanda Payne

“We Rosealie Alice Viking (woman, referred to herein as “Patient”) and Jason
James Viking (man, referred to herein as “Spouse/Partner”) have elected to undergo in
vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.” (Appendix A) In vitro fertilization (I.V.F.) is
currently one of the best alternatives for an infertile couple to conceive, Doctor Beth
Malizia says, “It’s Fantastic!” (http://www.time.com/time/health/article). In vitro
fertilization, originated by curious doctors in the 1950’s, is the process by which the
sperm fertilizes the egg outside the uterus. Once the egg is fertilized it is then placed in
the uterus for the baby to develop. Today this process, which contains four stages,
(embryo transfer being last), is commonly used among infertile couples. In vitro
fertilization is expensive, however, in the end, an infertile couple is blessed with a new
addition to their family. Thanks to the scientific and medical advancements, the history of
in vitro fertilization has been revolutionized; it now limits the process to four stages, each
containing their own risk factors.
In the 1950’s Dr. Robert Edwards started testing on animals, particularly mice, to
see if there was a way of conceiving a baby without sexual intercourse. In addition to
mice he also experimented on and studied rabbits, sheep, cows, and monkeys. It was later
in that decade when Dr. Edwards recorded the first successful in vitro fertilization test.
After hearing about Dr. Edwards’ success story, other doctors soon decided to experiment
with humans. In order to begin in vitro fertilization doctors need a sperm donor, and an
egg donor. To retrieve the sperm the male has to masturbate, or the doctors can make a
small incision in one of the testicles to remove the sperm, but for the woman it is more
difficult. To retrieve the egg, doctors insert a needle through the abdominal wall and
move through the uterus to find the egg. Before long doctors decided it was too painful
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and chose to use ultrasonic waves to safely secure the eggs. Doctors found that if they
entered the body through the vagina, then used the ultrasonic waves, the process would
be more effective and cause less pain for the woman.
The first in vitro fertilization baby was born in England in 1978. A blue-eyed,
blond haired, five pound-twelve ounce little girl named Louise Joy Brown. Louise Brown
was a miracle to both mother and father who believed they would never have a child. Due
to the little girl’s birth, infertile couples around the world were overjoyed with the
thought of having a baby. Back in the United States, Roger and Judy Carr never imagined
that they could be blessed with a child. The couple had a great marriage, and good jobs,
but “Like many couples, however, they wanted a child.” (Book: Test Tube Babies. pg.
18) Mrs. Carr had three miscarriages; she was never able to fully conceive. Once the Carr
couple heard about in vitro fertilization, they knew that was the path for them. In 1981,
three years after the birth of the first IVF baby, the couple gave birth to a stunning baby
girl. Elizabeth Carr was born on December 28th, 1981; she weighed five pounds and
twelve ounces. In vitro fertilization started out as an experiment, now it is a worldwide
phenomena among infertile couples.
For some infertile couples after trying for a baby many times and not succeeding,
they assumed they would never have a child, they were mistaken. In vitro fertilization is
the best and safest process for those couples whom are unable to naturally conceive. Dr.
Beth Malizia stated: “Those who pursue it may have a better chance of pregnancy.”
(http://www.time.com/time/health/article) If you are a woman of 35 years age or younger,
there is a 46% success rate when giving birth to an IVF baby. The success rates for
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women 36 to 42 years are still high, however as you get older, for example age 43 and
over, the success rates get lower. (See appendix B) This process can be performed if a
woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked, or are missing. It can also be performed if a man
has a low sperm count. If a woman does not have fallopian tubes or a man has a low
sperm count, they can opt to use donors. If the couple chooses to use donor eggs or sperm
the process is less effective and can cause many problems for both mom and the baby. If
you can use your own eggs and sperm, do so because with donors there is a chance that
your body will not accept the fertilized egg.
During the process of in vitro fertilization the patient goes through multiple
stages, but in the end it has definite advantages. In the first stage of the process, doctors
give the woman a hormone injection. Normally a woman releases one mature egg a
month, with this hormone injection the female will be able to produce more eggs. The
next step is to retrieve the egg. To retrieve the egg they still go up the vagina and use
ultrasonic waves, however with the new development of technology doctors are trying to
find an easier way to retrieve the egg. The third step is to fertilize the egg. The egg is
placed in a petri dish where the sperm is added. For this step there needs to be 50,000
sperm per egg. Once the eggs have been fertilized for two to five days, the best eggs are
chosen and placed in the uterus. To place the eggs in the uterus, the eggs have to first be
placed in a thin, flexible tube. The doctors’ then insert the tub through the cervix, from
there the eggs release into the uterus where the baby will develop. If there are any extra
eggs, they will be frozen for further attempts. However, when using frozen eggs there is
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is a higher risk of birth defects, though the risk of birth defects are higher, some couples
choose frozen eggs because they are less expensive, and less invasive of the woman’s
body. Dr. Mitchell Rosen stated: “The most unique part of the study is that frozen
embryo transfers were considered unique treatments.”
(http://www.time.com/time/health/article), this is said because most couples don’t use
frozen eggs due to the risks. When you use frozen embryos you are taking a chance, some
woman are willing to take this chance, and others aren’t. For some couples in vitro
fertilization could be the best thing for them, and for others it could end up being fatal.
As stated before in vitro fertilization is an easy four-stage process, contrary to this
statement there are multiple risk factors that some people don’t look far enough into.
When having an IVF baby couples need to be aware that the baby can be born with a low
birth weight and possibly some birth defects. In vitro fertilization is emotionally and
physically demanding on the woman’s body, on the plus side there is a short recovery
period. Throughout this process the woman has to have regular blood tests along with
daily hormone injections, all of which are done on an outpatient basis. In the most severe
cases risks can include death, cardiac arrest, respiratory arrest, brain damage, loss of
function of any limb or organ, and paralysis. Some females could be diagnosed with
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. This is rarely life threatening, and can be
minimized if your doctor monitors your ovaries and hormone levels. In vitro fertilization
contains many risks, some minor, some serious, and some cases fatal. In the end it’s all
about making a choice.
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My parents, Roasealie and Jason, made the right choice so they were blessed with
me, Cassie Marie. I am currently 26 years old, and getting ready to experience in vitro
fertilization first hand. When I found out that my husband and I were an infertile couple,
my parents told me about IVF, its’ stages and its’ risks. All of my life I have wanted to
hold a little baby boy in my arms and call him mine; when we found out we couldn’t
have a child, our world fell apart. We are fully aware that if we go through with this
process that there are multiple challenges we are going to have to overcome. I am the
second generation in my family to go through this process; my parents were successful,
so I am confident that I will also be successful. My husband has filled out the paper work
for the sperm source (Appendix A) and now it is time to make our decision final.
Cassie Marie Cedar
January 4th, 2026
Patient
Connor Lee Cedar
Date
January
4th,
Partner
Lucas Williams Goldwin
2026
Date
January 4 , 2026
th
Witness
Date
Nine months later the couple gave birth to a handsome little boy, Jacob John.
Goals were achieved, dreams were reached, and a joyous family was created. A risk
taker, a choice maker, and unforgettable life long experience for infertile couples are a
few words that just barely begin to describe in vitro fertilization.