Since IVF was developed by Sir Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe in 1978, IVF has helped millions of people become parents. Here we outline some of the pros and cons of IVF.
Benefits of IVF
IVF helps many patients who otherwise would not be able to get pregnant.The ultimate benefit of IVF is achieving a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby. IVF can make this a reality for people who otherwise would not be able to have a baby:
Blocked tubes:For women with blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, IVF offers the best opportunity to have a child using their own eggs.
Elderly patients with low ovarian reserve:IVF can be used to maximize older patients' chances of conception. At CREATE we have extensive experience with older women and women with low ovarian reserve. We use Natural IVF to focus on the quality of the eggs and not the quantity.
male infertility:Couples with a male infertility problem have a much higher chance of getting pregnant with IVF than naturally. We have a range of laboratory techniques to facilitate this, including intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). We also have an experienced urologist who advises men with fertility problems.
Unexplained infertility:1 in 6 couples suffer from fertility problems and sometimes these go undiagnosed after screening. These patients may benefit from an intervention.
PCOS:Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common condition in which there is a hormonal imbalance that leads to irregular menstrual cycles. IVF has proven very successful in patients with PCOS who do not become pregnant with ovulation induction.
endometriosis:Patients with endometriosis, where parts of the lining of the uterus grow outside the uterus, are welcome to try IVF as it has been proven in this group.
Premature ovarian failure:Women with premature ovarian failure or menopause can undergo IVF treatment using donor eggs, which typically has high success rates.
It has been used for a long time and has a sure track record of success.The first "IVF baby", Louise Brown, was born to pregnancynatural IVFin 1978. Since then, technology has advanced and techniques have been refined to provide safer and more successful treatment. We only use the safest forms of IVF with fewer drugs to reduce the risk of side effects such as Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).
IVF can be more successful than IUI and other forms of assisted reproductive technology.IVF success rates have increased since its conception thanks to advances in technology. Although IUI and other forms of assisted reproductive technology can be successful in some patients, by and large they have not experienced the same level of improvement and currently do not have as high success rates. However, IUI with donor sperm can be a viable first option for single women and same-sex couples.
It can help single women and same-sex couples.Forsingle womenorsame sex couplesthose wanting to have a child, IVF can offer a great opportunity to help them become parents if the IUI has not been successful. IVF using donor sperm can help potential patients achieve this goal.
IVF can help diagnose fertilization problems.In some cases of unexplained infertility, there could be a problem with fertilization. Cases like these may not be diagnosed until fertilization is attempted in the lab. Although this would be a disappointing result, it is useful in uncovering such problems so that solutions for future treatments can be foundICSI.
Unused embryos can be donated to research or another couple.If you are lucky enough to have spare embryos, they can be used to help other people and even save lives. With the consent of the biological parents, unused embryos can be donated for research purposes or to another couple to enable them to have a child.
Embryos can be used to screen for hereditary diseases.For people who are known to be carriers of genetic diseases such as cystic fibrosis, Huntington's disease and muscular dystrophy, IVF is also usedgenetic preimplantation diagnostics (PGD)is one of the most reliable ways to ensure that a conceived child does not suffer from the disorder.Preimplantation Genetic Screening (PGS)can improve the chances of a successful outcome as it screens embryos for chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome. Both techniques are available in our clinics.
Disadvantages of IVF
An IVF cycle can be unsuccessful.The success of IVF is not guaranteed, and patients often have to undergo more than one course of treatment before they are successful. Of course, this varies from woman to woman and a fertility specialist can give a more accurate and individualized probability of success. It is important to assess the chances of success realistically but positively.
Side effects and risks can occur.As a medical treatment, IVF is associated with a low likelihood of side effects, the most serious of which is severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). Luckily, using less or no medication in natural and mild IVF cycles means that the already small chance of developing an unwanted risk of OHSS is dramatically reduced or eliminated. CREATE Fertility takes the possibility of side effects very seriously.
multiple pregnancy.In IVF treatments, more than one embryo is often reinserted into the uterus, resulting in a higher chance of multiple pregnancy; About 20-30% of IVF pregnancies can result in multiple pregnancies. Multiple pregnancies come with associated health risks for both mother and child: Multiple pregnancies are associated with an increased risk of preterm labour, miscarriage, the need for a cesarean section, stillbirth and infant health problems. It is important that all fertility clinics have sound policies in place for single embryo transfers to avoid the risks of multiple pregnancy. At CREATE, we have a low multiple birth rate and focus on reducing multiple births.
The likelihood of an ectopic pregnancy is slightly higher.With IVF treatment, the risk of ectopic pregnancy doubles to 1-3%, especially in women with damaged fallopian tubes.
There is evidence that high estrogen levels combined with high IVF stimulation may increase the risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight in babies.There is growing evidence that high stimulation during IVF increases the likelihood of a baby being born prematurely and with a lower birth weight. This has been linked to long-term health problems for the child. It is believed that high estrogen levels can affect the intrauterine environment. With drug-free and low-drug approaches, it has been observed that babies are more likely to be born to term and with a higher birth weight than those born through IVF with high stimulation coupled with high estrogen levels. This is one of the reasons we are committed to natural and mild IVF, as we believe treatment success is not just a live birth, but a healthy, full-term, live birth.
IVF treatment can take an emotional/psychological toll.Going through IVF treatment can be a very emotional and stressful experience. It can be physically and emotionally draining for patients undergoing treatment. It can be difficult for partners to watch a loved one go through a stressful experience. It is important to prioritize your mental health and it is good for your body health as well. Our short, drug-free protocols are designed to help minimize stress.
IVF treatment can be expensive.IVF treatment doesn't come cheap, and after paying for medication and blood tests, costs can quickly add up. It is good to have a clear idea of the costs involved before starting treatment and to have your finances under control before starting. With less medication, the cost of a cycle is reduced at CREATE Fertility. There are also options for inexpensive treatment, such as B. our sister clinicabc ivf.
Some patients may be concerned about ethical issues.The idea of selecting some embryos and possibly discarding others may not appeal to everyone. Before you begin treatment, consider your own posture and what you would be comfortable with. If you are uncomfortable creating multiple embryos, we can support your choice by using natural cycle IVF or freezing additional eggs instead of fertilizing them to create embryos.