IVF - Know Complications Of It!

For couples who are trying their best in making their dreams about a complete family, infertility can be a scary word. IVF (InVitro Fertilization) is the last resort to treat infertility. It demands a long and experimenting time ahead, where the ordeal may not prove comfortable. It can turn out to be a grand success or perhaps even futile costing you a fortune. Read on to understand the risks involved in IVF.

General Risks:

1. IVF process may prove to be physically strenuous owing to the intensive hormonal treatment which may cause many medical complications. The extent of emotional stress is no less as the result of the intervention are far from certain. In case of failure in the procedure, it can precipitate stress and depression.
2. The time spent undergoing and recovering from the treatment is exhaustive.
3. An immense investment is demanded by this technology.

6 rare complications of IVF:
IVF has been proven to be a safe procedure over time. In very rare cases, complications may be noticed. These risks are identified in six areas:

1. Medications
2. Egg retrieval
3. Embryo transfer
4. Multiple pregnancy
5. Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy

Medication:
The complications may include:

1. Hot flushes
2. Feeling irritable
3. Anxiety
4. Headache
5. Ovarianhyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS)

OHSS occurs due to the accumulation of edema fluid within the chest and the abdomen leading to swelling, bloating and abdominal pain.

Egg Retrieval:
The complications may include:

1. Reactions to the anesthetic agent used
2. Bleeding from the needle track
3. Infection
4. Damage to surrounding structures.

Embryo transfer and multiple pregnancy:
Generally, more than one embryos are implanted into the uterus of the patient to maximize the success rate. This may eventually increase the chance of multiple pregnancy, which is found to be common in half the IVF cases. The mother with multiple pregnancy is highly vulnerable to hypertension, hydramnios and preterm labor.

Birth defects:
The babies conceived by IVF tend to have higher fasting blood sugar and blood pressure levels and found to be on the lower side of weight gain. There is a risk of preterm birth.

Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy:
The risk of miscarriage increases with the age of the mother. Ectopic pregnancy occurs only when the embryo implants in the fallopian tube instead of the uterus and this is very rare in IVF. The symptoms noticed in the case of ectopic pregnancy include stabbing pain, vaginal spotting, dizziness, lower back pain, giddiness or even low blood pressure.

Conclusion:
The risk associated with IVF are very uncommon and not many cases have been reported for its failure. However, it is essential to know about the complications related to IVF treatment.