IVF is an advanced reproductive therapy for treating infertility. As with any medical procedure, complications related to IVF are also common. IVF complications may arise due to different factors which are associated with the procedure. Read on to get an idea about IVF complication. IVF is considered to be a more or less harmless procedure. But one needs to understand that since this is a surgical procedure, it is just quite likely that a few individuals might well experience certain complications and side-effects. Amongst the most common complications related to IVF treatment, we find –A complete failure of the treatment that is, a failed pregnancyA series of health problems originating from ovarian stimulationProblems associated with the procedure of egg collectionMultiple pregnanciesEctopic pregnancy There are several studies that indicate the overall mortality rate in pregnancies emanating from IVF treatment, are much higher compared to the maternal mortality rate in the normal pregnancies. For every 100,000 IVF induced pregnancies, there are 42 deaths of the mothers, while the number is 6 deaths in general pregnancies. According to the indications obtained from various studies and research, serious complications due to IVF are quite rare. The possible complications of IVF are divided into four distinct categories: In this articleComplications Origination from RetrievalProblems Associated with Hyperstimulation Possibility of Multiple Pregnancies Acute Emotional Stress Complications Origination from Retrieval The follicle retrieval is a relatively simple and straight forward procedure. But the point that needs to be realised here is that every individual has a different anatomy. Now the difference cannot be categorised as abnormal as long as the other associated functions of the body are going on fine. However, due to this variance in the anatomical structure in some women, the process of egg retrieval might become difficult. Inserting a catheter and reaching inside the ovaries might become a tedious effort. In such cases, it is likely that the internal organs in the area might experience a slight to moderate damage; the organs include the blood vessels, bladder and bowel. Internal damage is also likely to occur in the most simple of cases, but the probability is very less. During the retrieval process, the most common minor complication that takes place is that a small blood vessel might experience an inadvertent puncture and bleeding occurs. This complication results in cramps and moderate to acute pelvic pain, which is medically treated and it dies out over the next few days. Problems Associated with Hyperstimulation Fertility injections are administered to the woman to induce hyperstimulation of her ovaries. During the IVF procedure, the physician usually chooses to for higher doses. A series of side effects and complications arise due to the medications. Fluid retention takes place in the body. An excess amount of fluid gets accumulated in the pelvis, abdomen and even the chest cavity resulting in pain, bloated feeling and mild to moderate discomfort. Digestion and breathing also gets affected. In most cases, rest and a few dose of analgesics prescribed by the doctor brings in relief. This is not a severe issue as mild hyperstimulation symptoms are experienced by all women going for IVF. Severe hyperstimulation is a very rare complication that occurs in less than 1% of the women. Hospitalisation might be required if the fluid retention is very high. Possibility of Multiple Pregnancies This happens when more than one embryo or egg is transferred. The doctors prefer to go for multiple transplantations, in order to ascertain the success of the pregnancy. Since the IVF is a complicated procedure, it is not obviously feasible to transplant one egg at a time for every failed attempt. So, multiple pregnancies are a resultant effect of the entire procedure. Some may be happy at the possibility of twins but the situation gets overtly complicated when additional foetuses come in progressively. In such cases, the option is to go for selective foetal reduction, where the additional foetuses are selective destroyed. Acute Emotional Stress This is a natural follow through of the entire series of complications that the woman goes through, not to forget the medications that also contribute in inducing stress as a side effect. This can only be countered by appropriate medical and psychological counselling along with adequate support from the partner and family. There are several studies that indicate the overall mortality rate in pregnancies emanating from IVF treatment, are much higher compared to the maternal mortality rate in the normal pregnancies. For every 100,000 IVF induced pregnancies, there are 42 deaths of the mothers, while the number is 6 deaths in general pregnancies.
IVF is an advanced reproductive therapy for treating infertility. As with any medical procedure, complications related to IVF are also common. IVF complications may arise due to different factors which are associated with the procedure. Read on to get an idea about IVF complication. IVF is considered to be a more or less harmless procedure. But one needs to understand that since this is a surgical procedure, it is just quite likely that a few individuals might well experience certain complications and side-effects. Amongst the most common complications related to
IVF treatment, we find –
- A complete failure of the treatment that is, a failed pregnancy
- A series of health problems originating from ovarian stimulation
- Problems associated with the procedure of egg collection
There are several studies that indicate the overall mortality rate in pregnancies emanating from IVF treatment, are much higher compared to the maternal mortality rate in the normal pregnancies. For every 100,000 IVF induced pregnancies, there are 42 deaths of the mothers, while the number is 6 deaths in general pregnancies.
According to the indications obtained from various studies and research, serious complications due to IVF are quite rare. The possible complications of IVF are divided into four distinct categories:
Complications Origination from Retrieval
The follicle retrieval is a relatively simple and straight forward procedure. But the point that needs to be realised here is that every individual has a different anatomy. Now the difference cannot be categorised as abnormal as long as the other associated functions of the body are going on fine. However, due to this variance in the anatomical structure in some women, the process of egg retrieval might become difficult. Inserting a catheter and reaching inside the ovaries might become a tedious effort.
In such cases, it is likely that the internal organs in the area might experience a slight to moderate damage; the organs include the blood vessels, bladder and bowel. Internal damage is also likely to occur in the most simple of cases, but the probability is very less. During the retrieval process, the most common minor complication that takes place is that a small blood vessel might experience an inadvertent puncture and bleeding occurs. This complication results in cramps and moderate to acute pelvic pain, which is medically treated and it dies out over the next few days.
Problems Associated with Hyperstimulation
Fertility injections are administered to the woman to induce hyperstimulation of her ovaries. During the IVF procedure, the physician usually chooses to for higher doses. A series of side effects and complications arise due to the medications. Fluid retention takes place in the body. An excess amount of fluid gets accumulated in the pelvis, abdomen and even the chest cavity resulting in pain, bloated feeling and mild to moderate discomfort.
Digestion and breathing also gets affected. In most cases, rest and a few dose of analgesics prescribed by the doctor brings in relief. This is not a severe issue as mild hyperstimulation symptoms are experienced by all women going for IVF. Severe hyperstimulation is a very rare complication that occurs in less than 1% of the women. Hospitalisation might be required if the fluid retention is very high.
Possibility of Multiple Pregnancies
This happens when more than one embryo or egg is transferred. The doctors prefer to go for multiple transplantations, in order to ascertain the success of the pregnancy. Since the IVF is a complicated procedure, it is not obviously feasible to transplant one egg at a time for every failed attempt. So, multiple pregnancies are a resultant effect of the entire procedure. Some may be happy at the possibility of twins but the situation gets overtly complicated when additional foetuses come in progressively. In such cases, the option is to go for selective foetal reduction, where the additional foetuses are selective destroyed.
Acute Emotional Stress
This is a natural follow through of the entire series of complications that the woman goes through, not to forget the medications that also contribute in inducing stress as a side effect. This can only be countered by appropriate medical and psychological counselling along with adequate support from the partner and family.
There are several studies that indicate the overall mortality rate in pregnancies emanating from IVF treatment, are much higher compared to the maternal mortality rate in the normal pregnancies. For every 100,000 IVF induced pregnancies, there are 42 deaths of the mothers, while the number is 6 deaths in general pregnancies.
