Little Bonnie Loutas represents not only a profound joy for her parents but also a groundbreaking development in the realm of IVF in Australia
Her birth marks the pioneering use of a novel fertility treatment known as CAPA-IVM, the result of 15 years of collaborative efforts between Australian researchers and their international counterparts.
Bonnie, despite her newborn innocence, signifies a pivotal shift in fertility treatment, yet she remains blissfully oblivious to the spotlight. Born just eight days ago, she has already ignited hope and elation in her parents, Leanna and Theo Loutas, who describe themselves as “over the moon” and “unbelievably happy.”
This breakthrough technique is the brainchild of UNSW Professor Robert Gilchrist and his associates in Belgium and Vietnam. Its primary advantage, as Professor Gilchrist explained, lies in its benefits for the patients.
CAPA-IVM involves cultivating immature eggs collected from the woman and growing them in a lab for two days using a specialised solution that mimics ovulation
This method drastically reduces the duration of hormone injections, shrinking it from two weeks to just two days, leading to fewer side effects and lower risks associated with hormone use.
Moreover, the reduced need for monitoring, ultrasounds, and blood tests translates into a cost-saving benefit, which, in the long run, benefits Australian taxpayers. This breakthrough promises to aid up to 20 percent of women requiring IVF, particularly those with conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome.
Professor Gilchrist’s journey to this milestone has been arduous, but he believes this advancement has the potential to revolutionise the field of IVF. The future holds the promise of performing the procedure without hormones.
The Royal Hospital for Women proudly stands as one of only six locations worldwide to offer this cutting-edge treatment. For Leanna Loutas, the significance of her life has been profoundly recalibrated, and her dad, Theo, emphatically agrees that Bonnie has become their world.
