Potential health hazards of IVF
IVF is a kind of baby that is bred in the laboratory through assisted reproductive technology. Although this technology has successfully helped many couples realize their desire to have children, compared with natural pregnancy, IVF also has certain health risks. This article will elaborate on the health problems of IVF from the aspects of genetic diseases, risk of premature birth, mental health and social acceptance.
Risk of hereditary diseases
IVF often needs artificial fertilization or embryo transfer to achieve pregnancy, which may lead to the transmission of genetic diseases. For example, if one or two parents have a genetic mutation, their offspring may also carry this genetic mutation. This means that IVF babies may face a higher risk of genetic diseases after birth. In order to reduce this risk, doctors usually carry out gene testing on embryos before implantation to screen embryos carrying diseased genes.
In addition, since IVF is usually bred with multiple embryos in vitro, there may be a risk of multiple pregnancies. Multiple pregnancy not only increases the risk of complications of mothers, such as premature delivery, intrauterine growth restriction, but also increases the development problems and health problems of infants.
However, with the development of medicine and the improvement of gene editing technology and embryo screening technology, the risk of genetic diseases is gradually reduced, and the health problems of IVF can be better prevented and treated.
Risk of premature delivery
IVF infants have a relatively high risk of preterm birth. This is mainly due to the influence of IVF multiple pregnancy, older pregnant women and assisted reproductive technology itself. Each fetus in multiple pregnancy needs an appropriate intrauterine environment and nutrient supply. Therefore, pregnant women must be subject to more strict monitoring and management. In addition, older pregnant women may increase the risk of premature delivery because their uterine and placental functions may be weakened. The process of egg retrieval and embryo transfer in assisted reproductive technology may also have a certain impact on the uterine environment, thus increasing the risk of premature delivery.
However, in practice, doctors will make reasonable treatment plans according to the individual conditions of pregnant women, including reducing the number of embryo transfers, carrying out embryo transfers in advance, strengthening nutrition and nursing of pregnant women and other measures to reduce the risk of premature delivery.
Mental health problems
The parents of IVF often experienced long-term infertility, so they may have mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. They may be worried about the health of IVF, the children's kinship with themselves and family acceptance. Different from natural pregnancy, parents of IVF babies may need to experience longer waiting and treatment, which has a certain impact on their psychological pressure and emotions.
Therefore, in addition to helping couples achieve their desire to have children through medical means, mental health problems also need to be paid attention to. Doctors and professional psychological consultants can provide professional psychological guidance and support to help couples alleviate anxiety and depression and adapt to life changes brought about by IVF.
Social acceptance
IVF may face misunderstanding and discrimination from society. Due to the particularity of this technology and the influence of public opinion on assisted reproductive technology, some people may have prejudice and suspicion towards IVF. IVF babies may face criticism and isolation from peers or other social groups during their growth, which may have a negative impact on their mental health and self-esteem.
However, with the progress of science and technology and the gradual renewal of people's concepts, IVF has been more and more accepted and understood in society. Medical institutions and governments in various countries have also formulated relevant policies and laws to protect the rights and interests of IVF and its families, thus promoting social inclusion and acceptance.
Summary
The health problems of IVF mainly involve the risks of genetic diseases, premature delivery, mental health and social acceptance. Although these problems can be prevented and treated to some extent with the help of science and technology, the monitoring and management of IVF is still crucial. The professional guidance and psychological guidance of doctors, as well as social care and tolerance, will be crucial for IVF and their families.
