First IVF Baby Turns 41 Today!

On this day way back in 1978, the world welcomed the birth of Louise Joy Brown, the first-ever baby conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Fast forward to the present, and the world is still celebrating. Today, July 25, marks World IVF Day in commemoration of not only Brown’s birth, but also the millions more that followed after her, each conceived through IVF or other fertility techniques.

The brainchild of Robert Edwards, Patrick Steptoe and Jean Purdy, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a form of assisted reproductive technology (ART) where the fertilization of egg and sperm is done outside the body. Since her historical birth, Brown has been known as the world’s first test-tube baby, though in actuality, her conception was achieved not in a test tube, but in a petri dish.

Louise Brown, the first IVF baby, born 1978. Photo by Chris Radburn, iptc.org

A regular IVF cycle first begins by stimulating the ovaries to produce several mature eggs, which are then retrieved through transvaginal ultrasound aspiration. Sperm sample is also obtained on the day of the egg retrieval. Both sperm and egg are mixed into a petri dish for fertilization. Once successful, the fertilized egg (zygote) is implanted back into the uterus to encourage pregnancy.

In modern times, IVF is recommended for couples who are unable to have a baby due to ovulation disorders, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and poor sperm count and motility. IVF is also integrated into other fertility treatments like intrauterine insemination and gestational surrogacy.

Brown’s birth through IVF subsequently gave birth to a new era in reproductive technology, one filled with hope for hundreds of millions of couples worldwide struggling to have a baby. As of 2018, it was reported that 8 million babies have been born through IVF since 1978, and with fertility rates down across the world, plus more and more couples actively seeking out fertility treatments, this figure is expected to rise in the near future.

Now 41 years old and a mother of two, Brown continues to be a beacon of hope for childless couples to someday realize their dreams of becoming parents.