Alappuzha: The children born through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) method are as healthy and normal as those born naturally. This is the testimony of the tsunami-struck mothers of Pattathilkadavu of Clappana panchayat in the district, who bore babies after they underwent IVF treatment with the aid of Amritanandamayi Math seven years ago.
At least six women, who had undergone contraception and who lost their children in the 2004 tsunami, were subjected to IVF treatment. J. Asha, 37, who lost two daughters in the disaster, gave birth to a son, named Amritesh, six years ago following the treatment.
“We were sceptical about IVF babies when the Amrithanandamayi Math initiated the mass IVF treatment. Subsequently, doctors convinced us about the advantages of the treatment,” she says. Amritesh is now a class II student and is smart and intelligent, she adds.
R. Priya, 34, who too had lost two children in the tsunami, gave birth to twins, Amritanand and Amrita, in 2006. Both are in class II now. “They are extremely naughty. They feel hungry all the time while they were at home. The girl is good in studies but the boy is not up to the mark,” Priya says.
The expense of the treatment was met by the Amritanandamayi Math. “There were seven IVF children in this area. As of now, only two families remain here in the tsunami colony,” she says. The rest left the coastal area fearing yet another tsunami.
The mothers here say their children never developed any illness either at the neonatal stage or later. “We can assure the couples that IVF children will not be a liability,” they say.
