Is IVF sexual or asexual? Does IVF have ectopic pregnancy?

IVF is an advanced medical method for treating infertility. So is pregnancy through IVF considered sexual or asexual reproduction? Can ectopic pregnancy occur during IVF? Let's find out together~

Sexual reproduction refers to a reproductive method that requires the combination of male and female reproductive cells (i.e. sperm and egg) to form a fertilized egg, and then the fertilized egg grows and develops into a new individual; asexual reproduction refers to a reproductive method that does not require the combination of male and female reproductive cells, and directly produces a new individual from the mother. The process of IVF is to extract female eggs and male sperm, let the eggs and sperm combine in a "test tube" that simulates the female "fallopian tube" under an artificially controlled environment in vitro to form a fertilized egg, and finally select the high-quality embryos that have been cultured in the early stage and transplant them into the female uterus for growth and development. Seeing this, I believe everyone should know that IVF actually belongs to sexual reproduction. Compared with people with normal fertility, it is just a different way of fertilization. Natural fertilization is the combination of sperm and egg in the human body; IVF is to take out sperm and egg and combine them under artificial control, but the common point is that they must have eggs and sperm. IVF requires the combination of egg and sperm to form a fertilized egg, and women can become pregnant, so IVF belongs to sexual reproduction.

Under normal circumstances, the ovary releases the mature egg, and the egg meets the sperm that has already arrived in the fallopian tube and combines to form a fertilized egg. There is a very fine layer of cilia in the fallopian tube. The fertilized egg moves toward the uterus while splitting in the fallopian tube as the cilia swing. After about 3-4 days, it reaches the uterine cavity and successfully implants in the uterine cavity. Under abnormal circumstances, when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterine cavity, it is called an ectopic pregnancy, which is commonly known as an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy in natural pregnancy is nothing more than the following factors: 1. Abnormal fallopian tube. Chronic inflammation can cause adhesions around the fallopian tube, twisting, stiffness and closure of the fallopian tube fimbria, resulting in narrowing of the fallopian tube lumen, partial or complete blockage or abnormal peristalsis, affecting the movement of the fertilized egg; there is a mass on the outside of the fallopian tube that pulls or compresses it, hindering the smooth flow of the fallopian tube; after fallopian tube plastic surgery, the lumen is unobstructed and the purpose of fertilization can be achieved, but the normal function of the fallopian tube in transporting the fertilized egg has not been restored or the lumen is obstructed, and the developing fertilized egg cannot pass through; the fallopian tube is congenitally dysplastic, with diverticula or parafimbria, the endometrium lacks cilia, and the peristalsis of the muscular layer is also weak, which can affect the normal operation of the fertilized egg.

2. Migrant fertilized eggs. After fertilization, the eggs released from one ovary bypass the abdominal cavity and enter the fallopian tube on the other side. Because the fertilized egg moves slowly, it has the ability to implant when it reaches the opposite fallopian tube, so it develops in the fallopian tube. The fallopian tube has a thin wall and a small lumen, which is not suitable for the implantation and development of fertilized eggs.

3. Contraceptive failure. The use of intrauterine devices does not increase the incidence of ectopic pregnancy, but when conception occurs due to contraceptive failure, the chance of ectopic pregnancy increases. In vitro fertilization only moves the process of combining sperm and egg to form a fertilized egg outside the body. After the embryo is transplanted into the uterine cavity, it still takes 3-4 days to "wander" to simulate the process of fertilized egg implantation. In addition, for patients who choose IVF, fallopian tube factors account for nearly half of the proportion, and the possibility of natural ectopic pregnancy is also higher than that of natural pregnancy, about 5%.

Many patients have questions about IVF, a way of giving birth. They are usually concerned about whether there are any risks in IVF surgery, whether such children have congenital defects, etc. In order to help everyone better understand IVF as a way of giving birth, let's analyze the possible risks of this surgery.

The operation itself is already very mature and there is no risk, but the mother will face some risks during the process. The specific risks are as follows:

1. Multiple pregnancy

The possibility of multiple pregnancies is low for normal conception, but the incidence rate is very high in IVF. As the number of fetuses increases, the fetal mortality rate and morbidity rate also increase significantly. Even if multiple premature babies survive, their physical and intellectual qualities may decline. It may also seriously threaten the safety of mother and child, such as miscarriage, fetal malformation, etc.

2Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome

The main reason for this symptom is that the patient suffers from this disease or is sensitive to some drugs. Because dozens of follicles develop simultaneously in the ovaries under the action of ovulation-stimulating drugs, the patient may experience abdominal distension, enlarged ovaries, gastrointestinal discomfort, oliguria, ascites and even pleural effusion.

3. Pelvic infection and bleeding

The in vitro fertilization operation must be performed by egg retrieval. During the follicle puncture operation, bleeding is very likely to occur. In order to avoid infection, you need to lie still for 2 hours after egg retrieval.

4. Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is also very dangerous. It can occur if the patient has pelvic adhesions or the fallopian tubes are blocked.

5. Miscarriage

The miscarriage rate of test-tube babies is also very high. Some pregnant women may find an empty sac without an embryo during early B-ultrasound examinations; or no fetal heartbeat or embryo development has stopped, which indicates that miscarriage is inevitable and requires uterine curettage.

6. Complications during pregnancy

Pregnant women who successfully undergo IVF may also develop obstetric complications such as gestational hypertension, premature birth, and intrauterine growth retardation of the fetus.

The above is an introduction to the risks involved in the IVF procedure. Patients should pay more attention in their daily lives to minimize the risks of IVF. After the procedure, detailed health care methods should be consulted and regular checkups should be performed to ensure the safety of mother and child.

IVF

Test-tube baby is the common name for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer technology, which refers to the use of artificial methods to fertilize eggs and sperm in vitro, undergo early embryonic development, and then transplant them into the mother's uterus for development. The technology was first successfully researched by British obstetrician Patrick Steptoe and physiologist Robert Edwards, and it caused a sensation in the world scientific community. On July 25, 1978, the world's first test-tube baby was born in the UK. On November 27, 2011, the first "third-generation test-tube baby" was born in Shanghai; in December, a wealthy businessman in Guangzhou gave birth to eight babies with the help of test-tube baby technology.