In Vitro Fertilization - 4 Myths About It!

In vitro fertilization or IVF is deemed as one of the wonder treatments for couples who are facing infertility issues. Whether it is due to poor sperm quality of blocked fallopian tubes, IVF has proven to be a safe and effective solution. However, like with all new techniques, IVF also has some myths which need to be understood before signing up for the procedure. With so much at stake in terms of finances and time, understanding the process will help set realistic expectations and improve the success rate of IVF.

Myth 1: High success rate. While IVF has very high success rates, some women just fail to get pregnant. This could be about 5% of the women and may not be attributable to any particular cause. Each woman responds differently, and failure to conceive through IVF could be due to no explainable cause. What is interesting is that though the first attempt failed, subsequent attempts may be successful. Failing the first cycle does not mean failure in subsequent cycles. Also, success rate differs from clinic to clinic, and so choose one which has a proven track record and good success rates. It should not just have good doctors but also the essential technology and infrastructure to support the IVF technique.

Myth #2: IVF leads to multiple births. While achieving multiple births is easier through IVF, it always does not lead to multiple births. Multiple embryos are implanted, only to improve the chances of success. It does not necessarily translate into multiple births. In women over 38 years of age, it is mandatory to only transfer a single embryo as multiple births are very likely to be complicated.

Myth #3: Rest and time off work. It is believed that IVF has a higher success rate with proper rest and time off work. Rest is definitely required the first few days after embryo transplant but it definitely later assumes a normal course of things. It is not that too much time off work is required, just because you had an IVF. Your body might be different and require more rest, but that could have been the case even with a normal pregnancy.

Myth #4: The medications with IVF are going to have lots of side effects. While the hormones given to promote egg release do have their side effects of making you feel moody and emotional, it is only transient. Once the egg release happens, fertilization is done, and embryo transplant is done, then things should settle down. The effects should wear down once the embryo is implanted and then things should settle down. Of course, pregnancy brings its own hormonal changes, which will run their course through pregnancy.