GP factsheet

1. Give information and background about IVF.

a) What is IVF?

IVF, short for in-vitro fertilisation, is a process where a woman’s egg cells is fertilised by sperm
outside of her body.

b) How is IVF performed?

An egg is taken from the mother’s womb and placed in a test tube/Petri dish, where it is fertilised by
sperm provided by the father. The fertilised egg is then placed back into the mother’s womb.

c) Why is IVF used?

It is a method of assisted reproductive technology, used when either parent is infertile; in females, it
might be due to problems in her Fallopian tube, while in males, it might be because of defect sperm
quality.

d) In which countries are IVF used?

It is more widely used in developed countries, as the procedure is expensive and requires advanced
technology.

2. How has IVF affected the family’s traditional function as a refuge?