The Safety and Complications of IVF

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a treatment that fertilizes an egg with a sperm cell in the laboratory, away from your body. After egg fertilization, an embryo forms, which your doctor returns to your uterus (womb) to grow and develop. Your health provider may carry out San Diego IVF using your eggs and the sperm of your partner or sperm and eggs from donors. You may require IVF treatment if you have infertility issues because of endometriosis, ovulation disorders, pelvic adhesions, or blocked or damaged fallopian tubes.

Moreover, in-vitro fertilization may also be excellent if male infertility is due to a varicocele, an ejaculation dysfunction, or low sperm motility and counts. Also, your doctor may recommend IVF if you have infertility from an unexplained cause that other treatments fail to solve.

If you are a woman and your fallopian tubes are diseased, blocked, or damaged, it will interfere with the movement of the sperm to meet the egg or the passage of fertilized egg (embryo) to the womb.

Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) is currently simpler, safer, and more effective, it still comes with potential risks and complications. Your health provider will often speak with you about your fertility issue and the potential risks and benefits of IVF. Consequently, below are common risks and complications you may be prone to due to in vitro fertilization.

  1. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is one of the main complications of IVF. It involves the ovaries swelling and fluid leaking into the body since IVF treatment triggers the ovaries to create and release more eggs than usual.

Ovaries are small, oval-shaped glands on either side of your womb that produce and store eggs. If the fluid production is severe, getting into the belly and other adjacent areas and causing the ovaries to swell, you may require hospitalization.

Retrieval of eggs when you have ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may also trigger blood clots or kidney damage and failure.

  1. Infections

Retrieving eggs may cause discomfort and cramps in the pelvic region. Although rare, it is also possible for egg retrieval to lead to accidental puncturing of blood vessels, bladder, or bowel, resulting in bleeding and infection.

Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have a mild to moderate infection in your pelvic region. However, if the condition is severe, your doctor may perform surgery to remove your fallopian tubes, ovaries, or uterus.

Additionally, you are more likely to experience mild abnormal vaginal bleeding, bleeding, or cramps after an embryo transfer into the uterus.

  1. Multiple births

Multiple births are pregnancies that involve carrying two or more babies at a time. Having twins, triplets, or quadruplets puts your health and the babies at risk. Generally, the higher the number of fetuses in a pregnancy, the greater the risk of premature birth.

Multiple pregnancies also may cause gestational hypertension, anemia, congenital disabilities, hypertension, miscarriage, cesarean delivery, or twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome.

Contact Gen 5 Fertility today to schedule an appointment with an in vitro fertilization (IVF) specialist and learn more about the IVF process.