The
current rate of success of IVF could only be achieved through intensive
early research.
The
first IVF trials took place in 1974 but it was not until 1978 that
Louise Brown, the first test-tube baby, was born.
This
first full-term IVF pregnancy was obtained by the British team
of R.G. Edwards (biologist> and P. Steptoe (gynaecologist> after
extensive experimental studies.
At
the same time, Drs. Carl Wood, Alexandre Lopata and Alan Trounson,
had started a large IVF program in Australia. Thanks to the scientific
data they provided, numerous French, Dutch, Swiss, German, American
and Belgian teams were able to start applying this type of treatment.
Since
1993, the ICSI method developed by a Belgian team is used worldwide.
The
initial success rate in 1978-1979 was around 1 %.
Today, in the hands of experienced teams, it has risen to 20 %.
Thus IVF is not a miracle solution but increasing numbers of pregnancies
obtained by this method, have given substantial hope to infertile
couples.
At St- Pierre Hospital, the rate of ongoing IVF pregnancies has risen
from 7 % in 1983 to 25-30 % today.
These
figures can probably be further increased through improvement of
medical experience, of the technique itself and innovative developments.
