What is Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)?
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) is a form of ART that was first introduced in 1984. In other forms of ART, fertilization takes place inside the laboratory, rather than in the woman’s body. With GIFT, fertilization occurs within the fallopian tube. In a fertile couple, the sperm and egg normally meet in the fallopian tube, which is where fertilization occurs. With GIFT, fertilization mimics nature, with the process taking place inside the woman’s body, rather than outside. The desired result is for fertilization to occur in the fallopian tube. The fertilized egg, called an embryo, begins to divide and in four days, contains many cells. At this time, the embryo moves from the fallopian tube to the uterine cavity where it “floats” for another two days. The embryo then implants in the uterine wall, and becomes a pregnancy. During a GIFT procedure, a woman is given fertilization hormones to induce the production of multiple eggs. Two to three eggs are then removed from the woman’s ova
