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Gamete
Intra Fallopian Transfer (GIFT)
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| What
is GIFT? |
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Gift stands for Gamete Intra Fallopian
Transfer. 'Gamete' is a technical term for eggs and sperm and in this
technique, gametes are placed directly into the woman's fallopian tubes
at laparoscopy (see below for explanation of this procedure). Fertilisation
is encouraged to take place within the body ie in the same place that
this process normally occurs. Since fertilisation takes place within the
fallopian tube, it is essential that the female partner has healthy tubes.
GIFT has proved to be a useful treatment for couples with unexplained
infertility and in mild cases of endometriosis.
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| What
is a laparoscopy? |
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This is a minor operation, which
involves passing a small telescope into the abdomen to allow the doctor
to see the ovaries and tubes. You will normally have a general anaesthetic,
which means that you will be asleep during the operation. The whole procedure
takes about 20 minutes. As you will have an anaesthetic, you will need
to stay in hospital all day. Most women are discharged later in the day,
although occasionally some may not feel well enough to go home. Arrangements
can be made for you to stay overnight.
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| What
else is involved? |
| The chances of achieving a pregnancy are increased if more
than one egg is replaced into the tube. To encourage several eggs to develop
we stimulate the ovaries by giving a combination of a nasal spray and a
series of injections. To maximise your chances of success, we try to replace
three eggs mixed with your partner's sperm. |
| Are
there any side effects? |
| You may feel some abdominal discomfort and shoulder pain
for a few days after the operation. The fertility drugs given to stimulate
your ovaries may make you experience slight mood changes, headaches or hot
flushes. Your next period may be a little later than expected, it may be
heavier than normal and may last longer. After a few days of the injections,
you may experience some lower abdominal swelling and feel 'bloated'. You
may also feel twinges of discomfort from your ovaries. These feelings are
your ovaries responding to the injections by producing follicles and therefore,
gaining in size. You may also notice an increase in your cervical mucus,
this again is in response to the injections and is quite normal. |
