Risks Involved in IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)

IVF is a very well known term in biological science, stands for In vitro Fertilization. Procedure is widely accepted and the baby born through this method is known as test tube baby, as fertilization procedure takes place outside the woman’s womb. Generally IVF is offered as a primary treatment for infertility for women over age 40. However it can also be done in other certain health conditions including ovulation disorders, damaged or blocked fallopian tube, uterine fibroids, endometriosis, a genetic disorder, impaired sperm production or function, previous tubal sterilization or removal, premature ovarian failure, fertility preservation for cancer and unexplained infertility. rnThis method of treating infertility in female as well as male is considered as the most successful option available. Although it is never the first step in infertility treatment, instead experts reserved for cases in which other treatments such as fertility drugs, artificial insemination and surgery have not worked. rnIn case you think IVF might make sense for you, it is recommendable to carefully assess any treatment center before undergoing the procedure. Even though it is the most successful infertility treatment available by the time, there are some specific steps of an IVF cycle carry risks such as: • Ovarian hyper- stimulation syndrome: rnFertility drugs like HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) are injectable to induce ovulation that can cause OHSS in which female’s ovary become swollen and painful. Mild abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating are some signs and symptoms of this syndrome. In case of pregnancy, symptoms might last several weeks. Rarely rapid weight gain and shortness of breath can cause due to more severe form of ovarian hyper- stimulation syndrome. • Multiple Pregnancies Normally more than one embryo is implanted in your uterus to increase the chances of pregnancy. Sometime this will also increase the risk of multiple births and a pregnancy with multiple fetuses carries a huge risk of low birth weight and early labor than the pregnancy with single fetus does. • Pregnancy miscarriagern rnThe miscarriage rate for women who conceive using fresh embryos in IVF is similar to that of women who conceive naturally i.e. it is about 15- 20%. However this rate increases with the maternal age. Additionally the risk of miscarriage may slightly increase if using frozen embryos during IVF. • Premature delivery As per the research, In vitro fertilization slightly increases the risk of premature delivery or early labor or with a low birth rate. • Ectopic pregnancy Ectopic pregnancy occurs when the fertilized eggs are implant outside the uterus, usually in fallopian tube. And as a fertilized egg cannot survive outside the uterus, there is no way to continue the pregnancy. About 2 to 5% of women who use IVF will have an ectopic pregnancy. • Complications during egg retrieval procedure During egg retrieval procedure, an aspirating needle is used to collect eggs that could possibly cause bleeding, damage to bladder, bowel, a blood vessel or infection. • Stress Going through IVF treatment can be physically, financially and emotionally draining. Proper counseling, friends, family and your partner can help you throughout the ups and downs of infertility treatment. To ensure successful outcome of IVF, make sure to consult with experienced and knowledgeable fertility specialist.