Lanka Hospitals Fertility Centre delivers 800th baby through IVF

Dr. Madara Ralapanawe

Dr. Nishendra Karunarathne

The 800th and 801st twin IVF babies born at Lanka HospitalsLanka Hospitals, the foremost multi-specialty tertiary care hospital in Sri Lanka, recently celebrated a landmark achievement of recording the 800th IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) birth since the launch of its ultra-modern Fertility Centre in September 2008. 

As an innovative private healthcare provider in the country, the internationally accredited 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. The hospital further plans to introduce a modern IVF laboratory, offering revolutionary methodologies such as developing the embryos to five days before transferring to womb (Blastocyst Culture), which enhances the success rate of conception.

Commenting on this momentous occasion, Consultant Gynaecologist and Obstetrician Dr. Nishendra Karunarathne said, “Couples who visit our Fertility Centre undergo a series of initial tests. Our highly skilled and specialised team checks both partners. As an initial step, the sperm count of the male counterpart will be checked, while for females, we will conduct a Trans Vaginal Scan or 3D Scan to identify pelvic pathology. Once the reasons for sub-fertility are identified, we will commence treatment. Most females conceive through Hormone Treatment and Ovulation Induction. In the event that these treatments fail, we conduct Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF).”

Speaking on the IVF technology used at the Fertility Centre, Resident Medical Officer and Clinical Embryologist Dr. Madara Ralapanawe stated, “Hormone injections could be administered by the family doctor of each patient. This helps reduce the number of visits to the hospital and allows all patients to carry on with their day-to-day activities. Therefore, patients would need to visit Lanka Hospitals only a maximum of five times during the six week long IVF treatment plan. Following the series of hormonal injections, the eggs are collected trans- vaginally under scan guidance. Three days after IVF procedure, two embryos are transferred to the womb. None of these procedures demand hospitalisation 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.”

“With the use of a micro manipulator and an injection pipette, each sperm is injected to each egg in a controlled lab environment. Thereafter for fertilisation, the eggs are transferred into the incubator with 37°C, 6 % CO2, 5% O2 and culture for three days. On day three, two embryos, each divided into six-eight cells following fertilisation are transferred to the patient’s womb. 14 days subsequent to the transfer, the Serum β HCG blood test is performed to confirm conception. All additional fertilised embryos are frozen for future use and are preserved for five years if the couple wishes to go ahead with a second conception,” concluded Dr. Ralapanawe.

At the birth of the 800th IVF baby at Lanka Hospitals and as the most reputed fertility centre 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.

Lanka Hospitals is a 270-bed multi-specialty tertiary care hospital spread over 350,000 square feet with seven acres of beautifully landscaped garden. The hospital is internationally accredited (JCIA) and holds an enviable track record, making it one of the best healthcare providers in the world today. It offers state-of-the-art features complemented by cutting-edge technology and is staffed by a well-experienced and trained team. The hospital offers crucial emergency care, laboratory and testing services, pharmacy and other vital services round the clock for patients seeking urgent medical attention. The hospital is also equipped with a special Heart Centre, Fertility Clinic, Kidney Care Centre, Nuclear Medicine Centre, Cosmetic Clinic, Surgical Centre including Neuro, ENT, Eye, Gastrointestinal, Orthopaedic, Urology, Reconstructive surgeries etc.