ZIFT
ZIFT or zygote intrafallopian transfer is an Assisted Reproductive Technology or ART. Less than 1% of people chose ZIFT, however there are around 240 ZIFT babies born a year in the United States. ZIFT can be effective if other treatments are unsuccessful. It’s specifically for people with ovulation problems or low sperm count. If the sperm count is low, then intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) will be used in conjunction with ZIFT.

METHOD
ZIFT has a method similar to GIFT or Gamete intrafallopian transfer. The main difference is that the eggs are fertilized prior to insertion of the fallopian tubes. A fertility drug is sometimes taken to stimulate ovaries to develop several mature eggs for fertilisation, where as a female would naturally develop one a month. The female may have to take synthetic hormones to prevent the eggs being released too early. Once the eggs are mature, they will be removed from the ovaries by inserting a needle through the vaginal wall using ultrasound the find the eggs. The eggs will then be combined to the partner’s sperm in a dish in a laboratory, and then monitored to ensure fertilization. In about one day, each of the fertilized eggs will be a ball of cells called a zygote. Minor surgery then occurs and one to four zygotes are inserted into the fallopian tubes through a small incision in abdomen using a fibre-thin tube called a laparoscope. If there are any extra zygotes they will be frozen in case the first cycle of ZIFT didn’t work. To complete one cycle of ZIFT, it takes about four to six weeks.

SUCCESS RATE
If a cycle is successful, the zygote will go through the fallopian tube and implant in the uterus and grow into a babe. The success rate depends severely on the couples fertility problems and ages. A young woman with healthier eggs is going to have a higher success rate. On average, there is a 26% chance of delivering a baby with the help ZIFT.

POSITIVES
Because a doctor can confirm that the eggs are fertilized, ZIFT offers more assurance then GIFT. ZIFT also allows the developing embryo to travel into the uterus on its own, making as natural as possible.

NEGATIVES
ZIFT is an invasive surgery and the fertilization occurs outside of the body, so lab work is more expensive. Also, many clinics don’t offer ZIFT. There’s also a greater chance of having twins and even though this may be considered a blessing, multiple foetuses increase the risk of a miscarriage. Other complications associated with multiple foetuses include risks of defects of the brain, heart, bladder and liver. The baby is also four times as likely to be born with cerebral palsy. As with all assisted reproductive technology treatments, there is an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy, which is where the egg implants outside of the uterus. As a transplant is impossible, ending the pregnancy is the only option. Women who take fertility drugs sometimes develop ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome or OHSS which is caused when the female produces too many eggs. OHSS is signalled by weight gain and a full bloated feeling. In addition, some women may have a shortness of breath, dizziness, pelvic pain, nausea and vomiting. The ovaries