There are some conditions for which normal IVF is likely to be of little help including:

If the testes are not producing any of the cells that make mature spermatozoa.

If the uterus has been removed, there is no prospect of bearing a child. Uterine transplantation from a healthy woman has been successful in Sweden, but it is a complex operation and not without risk. If a woman’s ovaries are intact, it may be possible to collect an egg, fertilise it outside the body by IVF and transfer it to another surrogate woman.

After rare infections of the uterus such as tuberculosis that make implantation and subsequent pregnancy impossible.

Severe uterine adhesions, for example, women with Asherman’s syndrome. In its most severe, untreatable form, embryo transfer will fail.

Congenital absence of the womb, or serious deformity of the uterine cavity.

When the ovaries have severe scarring, extensively cystic or not capable of producing an egg because of scar tissue.

Women who are post-menopausal, whose ovaries are failing to produce any eggs or where attempts to use drugs to stimulate ovulation have failed or produce very few eggs or very poor-quality eggs, usually only after very heavy stimulation.

Women with severe bowel adhesions around the ovaries – any form of egg collection would be life-threatening.

Despite countless breakthroughs in medical science, we still do not understand why some pregnancies will end in tragedy. For most of us, having a child of our own is the most fulfilling experience of our lives. All of us can imagine the desperation and sadness of parents who lose a baby, and the life-shattering impact that a disabled or seriously ill child has on a family.

Professor Robert Winston’s Genesis Research Trust raises money for the largest UK-based collection of scientists and clinicians who are researching the causes and cures for conditions that affect the health of women and babies.

Essential Parent is proud to support their wonderful work. You can learn more about them here.