IVF-Technology boom in the healthcare sector

Imagine a situation arising, where the world retires the natural birth process and replaces it with In-Vitro Fertilization or IVF? It may sound strange to you today, but few years down the line, it may actually prove effective, beneficial and convenient to do so. The other possibilities could also involve IVF no longer be a taboo subject and the urban couples opting for IVF without anyone raising an eyelid at them.

The Indian IVF Services Market was valued at $256.0 million in 2016 and is estimated to reach $829.5 million by 2023, registering a CAGR of 18.2% from 2017-2023. The market of IVF in Medical is not only boosting the medical services market but has also been a boon to a rampant increase in medical tourism in India.

The inception of IVF Technology has created an outrageous interest among people and medical professionals. And since seeing the light of its day, it has attracted the attention of many infertile couples, who till now were suffering the pain of not being able to enjoy parenthood. “Even today we come across too many IVF patients who are not supported by their families in their steps to overcome infertility. When faced with such situations we have to counsel their family members where possible to make the path for the patient easier. Along with the treatment counselling also plays a significant role. It is only after this that the patients gather courage for further the treatment process and continue their compliance”, said Dr.Rajesh Koradia, Infertility Specialist & MD of Mira Hospital & IVF Centre.

With the advent of various cutting edge technologies in the field of IVF like ICSI, IMSI, Laser Hatching etc. Some of which greatly improve the success rates, the risk and fear of not conceiving due to any medical reasons, doesn’t practically exist anymore. In Vitro Fertilization or IVF is a complex series of procedures, used to treat fertility or genetic problems and assist with the conception of a child. IVF is a very effective, convenient, risk-free and safe method of assisted reproductive technology.

IVF technologies are seeing a gradual growth and additional advancements to it. Few of them are mentioned below:

• Vitrification: Since its first use in 2012, Vitrification has revolutionised the ability of doctors to freeze the gametes and embryos with better technologies, as compared to the previous ones. Today, Vitrification process has become very rapid, so that the embryos and gametes, while freezing, don’t form ice crystals.
• Genetic Screening: Genetic Screening is evolved all these years, and is used differently in different cases.  Pre-implantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is one different kind of genetic screening. It monitors the chromosome number and appearance, rather than specific mutation. This is particularly performed on older women as the number of mistakes found in the egg chromosomes increases as women age.
• Embryoscope or Time Lapse Technology: Embryoscope, or time-lapse technology, is the latest technology available in IVF. Embryoscope is the most advanced technology in IVF and so its significant increase is seen in India. The regular IVF process has the sperms and the eggs cultivated in a special dish thereby providing the right environment for the embryo to grow. Whereas in Embryoscope, the embryos are monitored every minute. The pictures of embryos are clicked every minute and examined and observed, without having them to move out of their incubators. This not only reduces contamination of embryos but also checks its complications and conducive environment, necessary for their growth. Embryoscope is advantageous because it gradually lowers the risk of embryo damage to a large extent and provides enough space and necessary environment for them to grow. Also, the doctors are well able to provide valuable information about the embryos because of constant examination and monitoring.

IVF isn’t a compulsory necessity and the couples may get pregnant naturally without any assistance. But the chances of that in a couple suffering from infertility are very low. Opting for IVF helps in increasing the chances and bring the odds in their favour. The chances of having a healthy baby using IVF depends on many factors, such as the age and the cause of infertility and is the same with natural conception. Dr Rajesh Koradia further added “Here at MIRA Hospital And IVF centre we follow complete evidence based process whereupon consultation, certain investigations deemed necessary for pinpointing the cause of infertility are advised. On the basis of these reports, we explain to the patients, the steps that we shall be taking to treat their conditions and explain them the overview of the treatment process. We enlighten the patient through each and every step on the treatment.”.

Healthcare sector is getting a rock-solid push among another sector, as opportunities continue to develop from all its ends. IVF is one of the reasons behind a booming healthcare sector.

--Dr. Rajesh Koradia, Director, MIRA Hospital and IVF Centre

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