In IVF, a number of matured eggs and sperms are taken out and nurtured in a petri dish (a simulated environment).

When an egg is fertilised, it's transferred to the woman's womb where it grows as a normal foetus.

Babies conceived through the IVF technique are commonly called test tube babies.

Will we need a surrogate womb?

In most cases, no.

A surrogate womb is needed only when a woman doesn't have one. i.e.: If she's born without a uterus or it has been surgically removed due to infections like genital tuberculosis.

Here, the fertilised egg of the donor mother and father is implanted in the womb of another woman, who nurtures the foetus until it's born.

Are there any side effects?

"The best side effect of IVF is a baby!" smiles Dr. Parikh. "But yes, some women experience weight gain, a bloated feeling and nausea after an IVF treatment."

Sometimes, extended infertility treatment causes hyper-stimulation of the ovaries. Here, the ovaries enlarge slightly, which causes accumulation of fluid in the pelvic cavity.

There's also a tiny risk of ovarian cancer, especially with women with a family history of cancer.

How long does an IVF treatment usually take?

A single procedure usually takes around a month and a half. This includes, extraction, fertilisation and insemination of the egg.

However, before you actually start an IVF, you need to do the necessary tests and pre-IVF treatments like ovulation induction, hormonal tests and an ultrasound.

Is IVF the only fertility treatment available in India?

No. Take a look at our quick comparison of the fertility options to you. Though the cost of a fertility treatment depends on the kind of medication prescribed and the level of treatment, here's a rough estimate.

Treatment: Intrauterine Insemination
Procedure: The washed sperm is directly injected into the woman's uterus, as close to the ovulated egg as possible.
Cost: Rs.5,000

Treatment: IVF
Procedure: A number of matured eggs and sperms are fertilised in a simulated environment. The fertilised egg is then transferred to the woman's womb where it grows as a normal foetus.
Cost: Rs 50,000

Treatment: ICSI (advanced IVF)
Procedure: The sperms are injected in each egg of the woman with the help a glass pipette, which is thinner than human hair. It's usually used when the man is the one with the fertility problem.
Cost: Rs.75,000 - 1 lakh

Treatment: Pre-implantation genetic diagnosis
Procedure: Many couples with genetic diseases undergo IVF to prevent these diseases from being transferred to their baby. This is done before the embryo is inserted into the womb. It's a highly advanced procedure, done by a few clinics in India.
Cost: Rs 1.2 lakhs - 1.5 lakhs