IVF Risks

Trying to get pregnant by means of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) makes a lot of demands on a woman's body. She subjects herself to daily hormone injections, blood tests, scans, and running to the clinic when she gets a phone call telling her she's about to ovulate. The experience can be physically, and emotionally, very draining. Nevertheless, for many couples whose only hope of becoming birth parents is IVF, all the blood, sweat and tears are very much worth it.

Physical Risks

So just what are the physical risks associated with IVF?

Multiple pregnancy - in an average cycle of IVF treatment in the UK, two live embryos are transferred back to the uterus of the woman, in the hope that they'll implant and grow. The reason that two are inserted (three in the case of a woman over 40) is because the chances that even one will implant successfully are relatively low (between 20 and 25%). The use of two embryos therefore doesn't mean that a fertility specialist thinks it's a good idea for a woman to have twins, far from it - but that's exactly what happens to many IVF couples.

An estimated 24% of successful IVF pregnancies result in the birth of multiple babies (twins or triplets). Twin or triplet pregnancies pose inherent risks to both the mother and her babies. The mother is more likely to suffer from pregnancy-related conditions such as high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. The babies are more likely to be born prematurely and with a low birth weight. Premature birth can result in later developmental problems for children.

IVF Abroad

In IVF clinics abroad, which may be cheaper and therefore more attractive than clinics in the UK, are not regulated by the UK medical authorities. You may find clinics in other parts of the world which are prepared to transfer more than two or three embryos. Consider very carefully whether or not this is a risk you want to take.

Having said all that, it's important to keep things in perspective. In the UK, IVF mothers-to-be carrying multiples are always kept under very close observation. Furthermore, studies have shown that IVF babies have only a slightly higher tendency to experience developmental problems than children born of "natural" pregnancies.

OHSS 

Ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome can be brought on by the ovulation-inducing drugs given to a woman at the beginning of a IVF cycle. The condition causes the ovaries to become swollen and painful. Most cases are mild but severe OHSS is considered a medical emergency, and it must be treated in a hospital. Symptoms of OHSS include:

Pain in the abdomen

Nausea and vomiting

Diarrhoea

Soreness in the lower tummy around the area of the ovaries

A serious case of OHSS can be recognised by the severity of all the symptoms listed above, with the addition of rapid weight gain, breathlessness, persistent nausea, decreased urination and dizziness.

OHSS can be particularly dangerous if a woman ignores her symptoms or doesn't inform her doctor of them. Some women, especially if they've been trying to get pregnant for a long time, are reluctant to draw attention to OHSS symptoms because they don't want their IVF treatment cycle to be cancelled. While this is a very understandable reaction, women who do this are potentially risking their lives, and thereby any chance they have of becoming mothers.

Psychological Risks

IVF is an exhausting and emotional experience for men and women alike. Both partners may suffer bouts of depression during and after treatment, particularly if treatment is not effective immediately. That's why good IVF clinics offer psychological support and counselling to couples.