What Are The Risks Of Taking IVF Or In Vitro Fertilization?

In vitro fertilization or simply known as (IVF) is a process which involves the uniting a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg done in a laboratory dish. The words “in vitro” means outside of the body, while fertilization is defined as a process in which the sperm has able to reach the egg, attach to it and finally have penetrated through it. The alternative terms for IVF are assisted reproductive technology or ART and/or test-tube baby procedure. There are five basic steps involved in IVF, these are:

1st step - Stimulation, this is also called super ovulation

2nd step – Egg retrieval

3rd step – Insemination and fertilization

4th step – embryo culture

5th step – Embryo transfer

Risks of IVF

Just like in any medical procedure, IVF also have concomitant risks. The process necessitates a significant physical, emotional, financial and at every point strong commitment in terms of time. Couples dealing with infertility are commonly experiencing stress and depression. For females who are taking prescription fertility drugs are most likely to experience bloating, mood swings, abdominal pains and other side effects.

A number of in vitro fertilization drugs are given through by injection, often several times in a day. While the health care provider may properly teach the couple on how to properly combine the IVF drugs and provide a shot, one possible risk of IVF is bruising since it will require repeated injections throughout the day.

Fertility drugs can also cause ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome, otherwise known as OHSS. However, this occurs in very rare cases.  The condition is characterized as a the accumulation of fluid in the abdomen and the chest.

Symptoms of OHSS include bloating, decreased urination despite of increased water intake, abdominal pains, rapid weight gain, vomiting, nausea and shortness of breath. Mild cases of OHSS can be corrected through days of bed rest while more sever cases necessitates the draining of the accumulated fluid with a needle.

Recent medical studies have shown that prescription fertility medications are not associated to ovarian cancer.

Reactions to anesthesia, damage to the structures neighboring the ovaries including the bladder and the bowel, infection and bleeding are some of the risks of IVF specifically during the stage of egg retrieval.

When there is more than one embryo that is placed into the mother’s womb, there is a risk of multiple pregnancies. The risk of premature birth and low birth weight is increased when carrying more than one baby at a time. Although, there is also a high risk of prematurity and low birth weight even with single babies which are born after IVF. The association of IVF and the increase risk of birth defects are still unclear up to this date.

The IVF procedure is very pricey. There are some states which have laws that mandate health insurance companies to offer some sort of coverage. However, many of these health insurance companies offer health plans that do not cover such infertility treatments. The precise total of only a single IVF cycle with each individual will vary. However, it would amount to more than 12 to 17 thousand dollars.

Eddy Kong and his wife, Esther are victims of infertility. Over the last 5 years, they gather enough research and personal experiences to publish a book, “How To Increase Your Odds Of Conceiving”. They have 2 kids and 1 more coming up. They lives in Singapore city and spends their time teaching others how to get pregnant naturally and getting their infertility treated.  Their latest book, “How To Increase Your Odds Of Conceiving Secrets” is available at http://www.17mininfertilitysecrets.com/tips/index.html