IVF - Know Misconceptions About It!

Even though the process of In Vitro Fertilisation has been around for a while now, there are still a few myths and misconceptions connected to it. Here we dispel some of the most popular myths about IVF treatment:

Myth #1: Women should take bed rest after embryo transfer
Reality: False
Doctors have said that it is absolutely not required to put your life on hold after IVF treatments. Further, it can actually be detrimental because it prevents normal fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure.

Myth #2: IVF causes multiple births
Reality: False
While it is true that earlier, IVF clinics often transferred more than one embryo into the uterus of the woman because success rates were much lower in the past, today the process is much more advanced. While it’s true that during the treatment the ovaries are stimulated to produce multiple eggs, these eggs are removed from the body before fertilisation. Fertilisation happens in the laboratory under specific conditions, thus the term “test-tube baby”, and the resulting embryo is implanted into the mother.

Myth #3: Babies born through IVF have higher chances of birth defects, illness and developmental delays
Reality: False
This is a very common myth prevalent among many women, primarily due to a lack of understanding of the science behind IVF treatments. Numerous research has revealed that the likelihood of any such abnormalities in children born after IVF is not higher than those conceived in a natural way. The child’s health depends more on the health of the parents than on the way of conception. The genetic makeup of the mother and father can influence what kind of genetic defects, if any, their child will have. Therefore, if you are worried about the health of your future child, it is advisable to undergo a PGD (Preimplantation genetic diagnosis) screening before going for IVF treatments. Further, during the embryonic state, that is when the embryos are growing and being prepared to be transferred to the uterus, the doctors can detect specific chromosomal and genetic abnormalities and hence inform the parents about them.

Myth #4: It is not possible to get pregnant in the 1st attempt
Reality: It depends
This myth arises from the fact that IVF treatment does not necessarily guarantee a successful pregnancy. Although this method of increasing fertility is quite effective, it also depends quite a lot on the physical condition of the woman undergoing IVF. For example, a young woman with blocked tubes is more likely to conceive than a woman over 35 years with severe endometriosis. In both cases, it is possible to become pregnant at the first try, only that the chances are different.

Such myths and misconceptions often prevent a lot of couples from seeking treatment to help them conceive. In such situations, it is best to talk to your doctor about any doubts you may have and not just depend on online material, which can often be quite misleading.