What Are the Risks of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

In vitro fertilization is a method of assisted reproduction in which a man’s sperm and a woman’s eggs are combined outside of the body in a laboratory dish. Then one or more fertilized eggs (embryos) may be transferred. An embryo may be injected into the uterus, implanting in the uterine lining and continuing to develop.

All medical treatment has a certain amount of risk associated with it. Every area of our life has some risk associated with it. There are risks associated with fertility treatments that patients should be aware of before beginning them.

There is a list of some risks of IVF treatment:

Ectopic Pregnancy

Among the causes of infertility treatment, the risk of ectopic pregnancy is between 2% to 5%. In ectopic pregnancies, the fertilised egg gets implanted outside of the uterus, usually in fallopian tubes. This pregnancy is not able to sustain itself and is often nonviable. The egg will not survive outside of the uterus.

If a woman has a positive pregnancy test after IVF, she will most likely have a scan at six weeks to verify that the embryo is growing correctly and her pregnancy is healthy.

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)

Potent drugs are administered to patients to stimulate the ovaries. This leads to ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, where the ovaries get swollen and painful. Patients may experience abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, nausea and a few other symptoms.

For most patients, the symptoms will stop within a week. However, in rare cases, the patient could develop a more severe case. In this case, immediate medical attention is required.

Medication Side Effect

Fertility injections are administered in IVF treatment and, like other medications, may cause side effects. It is essential that women thoroughly will discuss the results of the drugs with the doctor. Patients undergoing IVF treatment are required to take fertility injections every day. Some of these could cause side effects, including OHSS.

Multiple Birth

If a woman is planning to treat infertility with IVF, it's vital to be aware of the risk of multiple births. Many women who undergo IVF conceive twins or triplets and occasionally even more babies. Numerous births pose a significant risk of complications for the mother and the babies. Studies have found that the risk of death for various births is about a few times higher than for single deliveries.

References: