Effects of IVF on health
IVF technology is an assisted reproductive technology, which provides a reproductive option for couples who cannot conceive naturally. This technology has been widely used and recognized by the medical community. However, some people are skeptical about whether IVF has any impact on health. This article will elaborate on the effects of IVF on health from four aspects.
1. Pregnancy risk
The risks of IVF pregnancy may be slightly higher than those of natural pregnancy. Multiple pregnancy is one of the common side effects of IVF. Since multiple embryos are implanted into the uterus, multiple births are more likely to occur. Multiple pregnancy has certain risks to health, such as premature delivery, low birth weight, fetal development problems, etc. However, with advances in technology, doctors have been able to control the number of embryos implanted, thereby reducing the risk of multiple pregnancies.
In addition, during IVF pregnancy, the risk of gestational diabetes and pregnancy induced hypertension was slightly higher than that of natural pregnancy. This may require closer monitoring and management to ensure the health of mothers and fetuses.
Although IVF pregnancy faces some additional risks, these risks can be minimized under the supervision and treatment of professional hospitals. Therefore, for couples willing to try IVF, health risks are not a reason for them to give up this technology.
2. Child development
Some people worry that IVF children may have problems in physical and intellectual development. Research shows that there is no significant difference in body and intelligence between test tube children and naturally conceived children. Most IVF children can grow up healthily and are no different from other children in terms of intellectual development.
However, although the probability of normal development of test tube children is high, some studies have found that test tube children may be more likely to suffer from some chronic diseases, such as asthma, allergy and so on, compared with children who are naturally pregnant. This may be related to individual genes, environmental factors during pregnancy and embryo transfer. However, the causal relationship between these diseases and IVF children has not yet been fully established.
3. Social and mental health
Some people believe that IVF children may face social and mental health problems because they were not born in a natural way. However, many studies have shown that there is no difference between IVF children and naturally conceived children in terms of social and mental health.
Family environment plays an important role in children's development, not how they conceive. Care, cultivation and support are the key factors affecting children's good development. As long as IVF children are given the same love and care as naturally conceived children, they can have healthy and happy childhood.
4. Risk of genetic diseases
Another factor to consider is the risk of genetic diseases. Some couples choose IVF because they carry some gene mutations related to genetic diseases. Through IVF technology, gene screening and embryo selection can be carried out to reduce the risk of implanting embryos with genetic diseases into the uterus.
However, although this technology can reduce the risk of genetic diseases, it cannot be completely eliminated. Some rare genetic diseases may not be detected by pre implantation genetic testing (PGT), so there is still a certain risk of disease.
summary
To sum up, there are certain effects of IVF on health. Although the risk of pregnancy is slightly higher, children may be more likely to suffer from some chronic diseases during their development. However, IVF children are no different from natural pregnant children in terms of social and mental health. Genetic screening and embryo selection can reduce the risk of genetic diseases, but there are still rare genetic diseases that cannot be detected. Therefore, when choosing IVF technology, couples should weigh rights and risks and make wise decisions under the discussion and guidance of doctors.
