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“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 Payne 2 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 Payne 3 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 Payne 4 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. Payne 5 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.