Assisted reproductive technology facts for kids
Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is a special type of medical help. It is mostly used to help people who are having trouble having a baby. When used for this reason, it's also called fertility treatment.
ART can also be used for other reasons. For example, it can help couples who can have children naturally but want to check for certain genetic conditions before a baby is born. ART is also part of some surrogacy plans. Surrogacy is when another person carries a baby for a couple.
Sometimes, people might not need ART right away. Simpler treatments or changes in lifestyle can sometimes help couples have a baby.
One common type of ART is called IVF. IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilization. This means "fertilization in glass." In IVF, an egg and sperm are joined together in a lab. If they join successfully, the new embryo is then placed into the mother's body.
History of ART
A very important day for ART was July 25, 1978. On this day, a baby girl named Louise Brown was born. She was the first baby ever born using IVF treatment. This amazing event happened in England.
Two doctors, Patrick Steptoe and Robert Edwards (physiologist), worked together to make IVF possible. Dr. Steptoe was a gynecologist. He found a new way to collect eggs from a woman. Dr. Edwards was a physiologist. He figured out how to fertilize those eggs in the lab.
In 2010, Dr. Robert G. Edwards won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his work. Dr. Steptoe did not win the prize because he had already passed away. The Nobel Prize is not given to people after they have died.
Important things to know
Making Choices
Sometimes, couples might want to keep trying ART treatments even if doctors think it's unlikely to work. This can make it hard for doctors to decide whether to continue or stop the treatment. Doctors always try to do what is best for their patients.
Health and Safety
Like any medical procedure, ART can have some health risks. These risks can affect the mother or the baby. Doctors always talk about these possible risks with couples. They want to make sure everyone understands everything before starting treatment.
See also
In Spanish: Reproducción asistida para niños
