IVF - Knowing Risks Factors Of It!

In Vitro Fertilization is a form of assisted reproductive technology which involves retrieval of eggs from a woman s ovaries and fertilization of these eggs with the sperm. The embryo can be transferred to a woman s uterus or it can be frozen and kept for storage. The IVF expert may also implant the embryos within the uterus of a gestational or surrogate carrier. It is important to mention here that the success of IVF varies, and it is crucial to reduce the risks involved in the process from the very start. You should ask your doctor about the do s and don ts of the IVF process.

As with any medical procedure, IVF also brings along its own set of risks and complications. Some of these include multiple pregnancies which can increase the risk of low birth weight of the newborn, loss of pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy along with bleeding, infection, and damage to the intestine. In case your first round of IVF has been unsuccessful, you should reconsider your options in order to take the best decision.

Before starting off with the IVF process it is important to undergo the ovarian reserve testing which is done by taking a blood sample. It is tested for the level of follicle stimulating hormone which in turn helps the doctor to understand the size and quality of the eggs. Then the doctor will examine the condition of the uterus through an ultrasound in which the use of high-frequency sound waves are involved. It is important to undergo all the tests that your doctor has ordered in order to stay away from the risks and complications involved in IVF.

In case there is a transfer of more than one embryo to the womb, it increases the risk of having triplets or even more babies. This poses a direct risk for both the mother and the baby. It may lead to low birth weight along with a considerable risk of increasing the mother s blood pressure and diabetes. In such instances, the doctor may recommend a single transfer of the embryo to reduce such risks.