Short answer
“Test tube baby” is the common name for IVF (in vitro fertilisation). Eggs are collected from the woman’s ovaries, fertilised with sperm in a laboratory, and an embryo is placed in the womb a few days later. A full cycle takes about 3 to 6 weeks. The chance of success depends mainly on the woman’s age and the cause of infertility.
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- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
Who may need IVF
- Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
- A low sperm count or poor sperm movement, usually treated with IVF plus ICSI
- PCOS or ovulation problems when simpler treatments have not worked
- Endometriosis
- Unexplained infertility after other treatments
- Men who need sperm collected surgically, for example after a vasectomy
The steps of an IVF cycle
- Tests for both partners: hormone blood tests, an ultrasound of the ovaries and womb, a semen analysis, and screening for infections such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.
- Stimulation: daily hormone injections for about two weeks help several eggs grow. Ultrasound scans and blood tests track the follicles.
- A trigger injection prepares the eggs for collection.
- Egg collection: a fine needle guided by ultrasound collects the eggs through the vagina. It takes about 20 minutes, with medicine to make you sleepy.
- The male partner gives a sperm sample the same day, which is prepared in the laboratory.
- Fertilisation: eggs and sperm are combined in the lab (IVF), or a single sperm is injected into each egg (ICSI). The embryos grow in the lab for a few days.
- Embryo transfer: an embryo is placed in the womb through a thin tube passed through the vagina. Good extra embryos can be frozen for later.
- A pregnancy test is done about 16 days after the transfer, and a scan at around 7 weeks confirms the pregnancy.
What affects success
- The woman’s age, the most important factor
- The cause of infertility
- Body weight (BMI)
- Smoking and alcohol
No clinic can guarantee a baby. Ask for honest information about the chances in your situation before you start.
Possible risks
- Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS): ovaries become swollen and painful after stimulation
- Twins or more, which carry extra risks for mother and babies; transferring one embryo lowers this risk
- A slightly higher chance of ectopic pregnancy
Contact your fertility team at once if you have tummy pain and bloating, vomiting, feel faint, become breathless, pass little urine, or have bleeding during or after treatment.
IVF and the law in India
Fertility treatment in India is regulated under the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. Clinics must be registered with the National ART & Surrogacy Registry, and written consent is taken before treatment. Choosing the sex of a baby is illegal.
Sex determination of the foetus is not done at Dhruva Hospitals. It is prohibited under the PC & PNDT Act, 1994.
IVF at Dhruva Hospitals
Our fertility service, led by Dr. S Mounika Reddy (MS Obstetrics & Gynaecology, with fellowships in reproductive medicine), offers IUI, IVF and ICSI in a modular embryology lab, surgical sperm retrieval, semen analysis and ovulation scans. Call +91 99599 59694 or WhatsApp us to book a fertility consultation. OPD hours are 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Common questions
Is a test tube baby a normal baby?
Yes. Only fertilisation happens in the laboratory. The embryo then grows in the mother’s womb like any other pregnancy.
Is IVF painful?
The daily injections cause mild discomfort. Egg collection is done with medicine to make you sleepy, and embryo transfer usually feels like a speculum examination.
Can we choose a boy or a girl with IVF?
No. Sex selection is illegal in India and is never done.
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Sources
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.