Lanka Hospitals surpasses 900 IVF babies

The process of cleavage occurs over several days following fertilization. The zygote begins to divide as it travels through the oviduct. By the time the cilia of the oviduct deliver the embryo to the uterus, the embryo is a ball of cells called a blastocyst. The blastocyst implants in the endometrium. Image Credit - http://www.mtchs.org/ Chapter 33

Sri Lanka’s internationally accredited multi- specialty hospital, Lanka Hospitals announces the surpassing of 900 In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) baby deliveries. This landmark achievement since the inception of its ultra-modern Fertility Centre in 2008, has elevated Lanka Hospitals to be the most reputed Fertility Center in Sri Lanka with a success rate identical to natural conception.
Lanka Hospitals’ revolutionary Fertility Centre has set several benchmarks in the IVF field. The Fertility Centre at Lanka Hospitals is operational throughout the year and is equipped with state-of-the-art-facilities, ensuring higher rate of success in IVF without disturbing the patient’s natural menstrual cycle. Last year, this world class facility announced the first pregnancy through Blastocyst Culture (Day 5 embryo transfer) where the embryos are cultured in the incubator for 5 days before being transferred to the womb, giving the mother increased chance of conception.
“In the natural way, after fertilization, the embryos develop from 2 cells to 8 cells in 3 days. This happens in fallopian tubes. Subsequently, the embryo develops to Blastocyst, followed by its development in the next 2 days in the uterine cavity where implantation occurs. Therefore, Blastocyst transfer mimics the natural process in the uterine cavity and implantation.” Stated Dr. Madara Ralapanawe Resident Medical Officer and Clinical Embryologist of Lanka Hospitals.   
“A team of highly skilled and specialized technicians and Consultants subject both partners to a series of tests. As an initial step, the sperm count of the male counterpart will be checked, while for females, a Trans Vaginal Scan or 3D Scan will be conducted to identify pelvic pathology. Treatment commences once the reasons for subfertility is identified. If the female fails to conceive through Hormone Treatment and Ovulation Induction, Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF/ICSI) will be conducted.”  Stated Dr. Nishendra Karunaratne, Consultant Gynaecologist of the Fertility Centre.  Patients of Lanka Hospitals Fertility Centre need to visit Lanka Hospitals only a maximum of five times during the six week long IVF treatment plan as hormone injections could be administered by the family doctor of each patient, they are given more freedom to carry on with their day-to-day activities. Following the series of hormonal injections, the eggs are collected Trans vaginally under scan guidance. Three days after IVF procedure, 2 embryos are transferred to the womb. None of these procedures demand hospitalization, and the patients could enjoy the comfort of resting at home for 14 days, following embryo transfer which is the final step of the IVF process. All additional fertilized embryos are frozen for future use and are preserved for 5 years if the couple wishes to go ahead with a second conception.
At the birth of the 900th IVF baby at Lanka Hospitals and as the most reputed Fertility Center in Sri Lanka with a success rate identical to natural conception, the hospital is said to be attending to over 148 ongoing pregnancies today. Lanka Hospitals predicts to deliver the 1000th IVF baby by the end of 2016.