What are the risks of IVF?
IVF is the process of pregnancy and delivery of the fertilized eggs processed in the laboratory through assisted reproductive technology (ART), and then implanted into the female uterus. Although IVF technology has achieved success in helping many couples achieve their dream of fertility, there are certain risks in the process of IVF. The risks of IVF are described in detail in the following four aspects.
Fertility uncertainty
Although IVF has made great breakthroughs in the treatment of infertility, its success rate is still limited. According to the data of the World Health Organization, the success rate of each IVF cycle is usually between 30% and 35%, which means that a considerable number of patients may need multiple attempts to successfully conceive. Low success rate may lead to long-term psychological pressure and financial burden on couples.
In addition, female age, egg and sperm quality, uterine health and other factors will affect the fertility of IVF. Therefore, before deciding to carry out IVF, couples should fully understand the uncertainty of success rate and make reasonable decisions according to their own conditions.
Risk of multiple pregnancies
In the process of IVF treatment, sometimes in order to increase the success rate, multiple fertilized eggs will be implanted into the uterus, which increases the risk of multiple pregnancies. Multiple pregnancy will increase the incidence of complications of pregnant women and fetuses.
Pregnant women may face greater physical burden and risk during multiple pregnancy, such as hypertension, diabetes and placental abruption. At the same time, the fetus may also face problems such as premature delivery, stunting and congenital heart disease. Therefore, in the process of IVF, the doctor will determine the number of fertilized eggs implanted according to the specific situation of the patient to avoid the risk of multiple pregnancy to the greatest extent.
Risk of genetic disease transmission
IVF technology enables couples to screen fertilized eggs that are at risk of genetic diseases, thus avoiding passing on genetic diseases to the next generation. However, due to the limitations of technology and the existence of special circumstances, it is still possible for genetic diseases to be transmitted to the next generation through the process of IVF.
Some rare genetic diseases may be transmitted to offspring in a complex way, even if the fertilized egg is normal before implantation. In addition, there may be technical false negative or false positive results in the genetic diagnosis in the process of IVF, leading to the related genetic diseases cannot be completely excluded. Before IVF treatment, couples should consult a genetic counselor to understand and assess possible genetic disease risks.
Psychological and social pressure
The IVF process is a long and arduous journey for couples, which may be accompanied by psychological and social pressure. Whether it is to try many treatments but still fail, or face the uncertainty of fertility rate and compare with other couples, it will have a negative impact on the psychological health of couples.
IVF treatment often requires a lot of time, energy and money. At the same time, couples may also have to deal with family and social expectations, anxiety about procreation delay and uncertainty about future family life. Therefore, in the process of IVF, couples should receive family and professional support to help them cope with psychological and social challenges.
summary
As an assisted reproductive technology, IVF has achieved great success in helping couples achieve their reproductive aspirations, but there are also certain risks in the implementation process. The uncertainty of fertility rate, the risk of multiple pregnancy, the transmission risk of genetic diseases and psychological and social pressure are several aspects. Before IVF treatment, couples should fully understand and consider these risks, and have professional discussions and assessments with doctors and genetic consultants to make rational decisions.
