46 Years of IVF: How Science Turned Hope into Parenthood

It was on July 25, 1978, that the world welcomed Louise Brown, the first baby born through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), marking a turning point in reproductive medicine.

- DR. SHOBHA GUPTA

It was on July 25, 1978, that the world welcomed Louise Brown, the first baby born through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), marking a turning point in reproductive medicine. In the 46 years since, IVF has evolved from an experimental procedure into a highly sophisticated and successful fertility treatment that has given hope to millions of couples around the globe.

As a fertility specialist, I have personally witnessed this transformation, both in terms of technology and social acceptance. What began as a single, groundbreaking birth is now a global phenomenon—with over 12 million IVF babies born worldwide, said Dr. Shobha Gupta.

"IVF is no longer the last resort—today, it's a proactive option for many couples, single parents, and LGBTQ+ individuals wanting to build families," says Dr. Shobha Gupta.

From Trial-and-Error to Precision Science

In the early years, IVF was a fragile process. Success rates hovered around 5-10%, and procedures were costly, emotionally draining, and poorly understood. But thanks to decades of research and innovation, we now have state-of-the-art techniques that have dramatically improved success rates.