Does IVF affect the body?
IVF is a kind of baby that is fertilized in vitro through assisted reproductive technology, and then pregnant and delivered. This technology has made a major breakthrough in the medical field, providing hope for couples who cannot conceive naturally. However, many people have doubts about whether IVF will have some adverse effects on infants themselves. This article will elaborate on the effects of IVF on the body from the aspects of physiology, psychology, heredity and long-term effects.
1. Physiological effects
The physiological effects of IVF mainly focus on pregnancy and early infant development. First, compared with natural pregnancy, IVF pregnancy may increase the risk of early abortion. This is because in the IVF stage, the selective process of embryos may not be accurate enough, resulting in poor quality of some embryos. In addition, the birth weight of test tube infants may be lower than that of naturally conceived infants, which may be related to the limitations of in vitro culture environment and the selectivity of embryo transfer.
Secondly, IVF babies may face the risk of premature delivery. Research shows that compared with natural pregnancy, IVF pregnancy is more prone to premature delivery. This may be due to the difference between the in vitro culture environment and the intrauterine environment, as well as the selective factors in embryo transfer. Preterm birth may increase the risk of health problems in the newborn and future.
Finally, IVF babies may face some problems during their development. Although the incidence of these problems is low, studies have found that IVF may have some abnormalities in the cardiovascular system, nervous system and immune system. These problems may be related to the external factors that IVF receives in the process of fertilization, embryo culture and embryo transfer.
2. Psychological influence
IVF is a hard journey for couples, which may bring some psychological effects to them. First of all, couples who cannot conceive naturally may feel self reproach and inferiority, and the process of IVF may further aggravate these emotions. In the process of IVF treatment, couples may fall into depression and despair after many failed attempts.
In addition, IVF may also have some psychological effects on the baby itself. Some studies have shown that IVF may have some problems different from those of naturally conceived infants in terms of psychological development. For example, IVF babies may be more likely to suffer from emotional disorders, behavioral problems and inattention.
However, it needs to be clear that the occurrence of these psychological effects is not absolute, and everyone's situation is different. Many parents and children of IVF can overcome these difficulties and establish good parent-child relationship.
3. Genetic influence
Whether IVF is genetically different from naturally conceived babies has always been a concern. After many studies, the current conclusion is that there is no fundamental genetic difference between IVF and naturally conceived infants. The genes inherited by test tube babies are the same as those of their parents, and no abnormal genes related to the test tube process have been found.
However, it should be noted that the relationship between IVF and genetic diseases should be treated with caution. If parents are at risk of genetic diseases, these risks will also be passed on to IVF. Therefore, before IVF, doctors will conduct comprehensive genetic counseling and genetic testing to ensure the health of the baby.
4. Long term impact
Research on the long-term effects of IVF is relatively limited because this technology is relatively new. However, the current research results show that there is no significant difference between IVF and naturally conceived infants in the process of growth and development.
Some studies have found that there is no significant difference between IVF and naturally conceived infants in academic performance, personality development and social relations. However, these studies need further tracking and verification.
To sum up, the effects of IVF on the body mainly focus on physiological, psychological and genetic aspects. Although there are some potential risks and psychological pressures, the current research results show that there is no significant difference between IVF and naturally conceived infants in most aspects. For couples who plan to choose test tube babies, it is very important to fully communicate and consult with doctors and carry out comprehensive evaluation and testing to ensure the health of babies and the mental health of parents.
