What is in vitro fertilization, or IVF,xa0and why does it include freezing eggs? Experts explain

Talk to a group of 100 people born in the United States, and chances are two of them were born as the result of in vitro fertilization, according to a fertility expert. In vitro fertilization (IVF) has become common, with about 2% of births in the US resulting from this technology. Over 8 million babies have been born through IVF. One important aspect of IVF is the cryopreservation of embryos, or freezing after fertilization. Recently, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are considered children and are protected under the state’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act. Infertility experts have voiced concerns about the impact of this ruling on assisted reproduction. IVF involves the removal of an egg from a woman’s body, fertilization in a laboratory, and subsequent implantation. This process requires hormonal injections and egg retrieval procedures. Only a fraction of fertilized eggs develop into embryos that have a chance of becoming babies. IVF was initially developed to help women with blocked fallopian tubes but has expanded to assist conception in various other situations. The technology also allows couples with genetic diseases to test embryos and only transfer those unaffected by the diseases. Freezing embryos is helpful for genetic testing and can be done when patients are not ready for immediate pregnancy. It is also beneficial for medical reasons or when multiple embryos are produced in one IVF cycle, allowing for future use. Implanting a single embryo at a time is safer, although multiple transfers may be required for successful pregnancy. Patients make choices about the disposition and use of their embryos before undergoing IVF, aligning with their personal moral and ethical considerations.