Smart My Health

Since IVF was pioneered by Sir Robert Edwards and Patrick Steptoe in 1978, IVF has helped millions of people become parents. IVF helps many patients who would be otherwise unable to conceive. The ultimate advantage of IVF is achieving a successful pregnancy and a healthy baby.

Dr Nisarg Patel – a well-renowned gynaecologist, stated below these advantages and disadvantages. He also runs a clinic, namely Nisha IVF Clinic. It offers IVF treatment safely and most reliably. The centre is equipped with the latest technology and expertise for a successful IVF treatment in and around Ahmedabad.

Now, let’s check out some of the advantages and disadvantages associated with IVF:

Advantages:

• IVF can make this a reality for people who would be unable to have a baby otherwise blocked tubes for women with blocked or damaged fallopian pipes.

• IVF provides the best opportunity of having a child using their eggs. Older patients with a low ovarian reserve IVF can be used to maximize the chance of older patients conceiving.

• Male infertility couples with a male infertility problem will have a much higher chance of conceiving with IVF than developing naturally unexplained infertility. One in six teams will suffer fertility problems, and sometimes these remain undiagnosed after investigation these patients may benefit from intervention.

• PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome is a common condition in which there is a hormone imbalance leading to irregular menstrual cycles IVF has proved very successful in patients with PCOS who will not conceive with ovulation induction.

• Endometriosis patients with endometriosis where parts of the womb lining grow outside the womb may like to try IVF as it has proved successful in this group.

• Premature ovarian failure women with premature ovarian failure or menopause can have IVF treatment using donor eggs which typically has high success rates.

• IVF can be more successful than other forms of assisted reproductive technology. IVF success rates have been increasing year-on-year since its conception, thanks to technological advances although IUI and other forms of assisted reproduction technology can be successful.

For some patients, on the whole, they have not undergone the same level of improvement and did not currently have as high success rates IUI with donor sperm can however be a useful first option in single women and same-sex couples.

• IVF can help to diagnose fertilization problems. In some cases of unexplained infertility, there could be a problem with fertilization cases such as these may not be diagnosed until fertilization is attempted in the laboratory. However, this would be a disappointing outcome; it is useful to be able to uncover such problems so that solutions could be reached for the future.

• In treatment with ICSI unused embryos can be donated to research or another couple. If you are lucky enough to have seeds to spare, these can be used to help other people and even save lives with the permission of the biological parents.

Unused embryos can be donated for research purposes or to another couple to enable them to have a child.  An embryo can also be utilized to screen for inherited diseases for individuals who are known carriers of genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis Huntington’s disease and muscular dystrophy.

• IVF with pre-implantation genetic diagnosis is one of the most reliable ways to ensure that a child conceived will not suffer from the disorder. Pre-implantation genetic screening can improve the chances of a successful outcome as it screens embryos for chromosomal disorders such as Down syndrome.

Disadvantages:

• The success of IVF is not guaranteed, and patients often have to undergo more than one cycle of treatment before they are successful; this naturally varies from woman to woman. A fertility specialist will be able to give a more accurate and personalized likelihood of success.

• It is essential to be realistic but optimistic about the chances of success; there may be associated side effects and risks. As a medical treatment IVF comes with a small chance of developing side effects the most severe of these being severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Fortunately, the use of fewer or no drugs in natural and mild IVF cycles means that the already small likelihood of developing unwanted risk of OHSS is dramatically decreased or eliminated.

• Multiple pregnancies in IVF treatments. There is often more than one embryo put back into the uterus, and this leads to a higher likelihood of multiple pregnancies. Around 20 to 30% of IVF pregnancies can result in multiple pregnancies. It carries associated health risks to mother and baby.

There is an increased chance of premature labour miscarriage, need for a cesarean, stillborn, and infant health problems. All fertility clinics need to have robust single embryo transfer policies to avoid the risks of multiple pregnancies.

• There is a slightly higher chance of ectopic pregnancy with IVF treatment. The risk of an ectopic pregnancy doubles to one to three per cent, mainly in women with damaged fallopian tubes. There is evidence that high estrogen levels associated with high stimulation IVF can increase the risk of prematurity and low birth weight. It has a link to long term health problems for the child; it is a theory that high estrogen levels can affect the intrauterine environment.

• The treatment can take an emotional, psychological toll because going through IVF treatment can be a highly personal and stressful experience for patients. It can be physically and emotionally demanding for partners; it can be challenging to watch a loved one go through a stressful experience. It is essential to prioritize your psychological health, and this is also good for the health of the body.

• IVF treatment can be expensive IVF treatment is not cheap, and after paying for medication and blood tests, the costs can quickly mount up. It is good to have a clear idea of the costs involved before starting treatment and to have your finances in order before beginning.

Some patients may be concerned about ethical issues. The idea of selecting some embryos and potentially discarding others may not sit well with everybody before starting treatment consider your stance and what you would be comfortable.