IVF Treatment: Procedure & Risks
IVF is a treatment to treat infertility problems for those who are having trouble conceiving naturally. Learn more about its procedures and risks.
What is IVF?
IVF which stands for In Vitro Fertilization is a treatment for infertility or genetic problems. It involves a complex series of procedures to help with fertility or prevent genetic problems and assist with the conception of a child. It’s the most effective form of assisted reproductive technology.
The chances of having a healthy baby via the IVF method depend on many factors, such as age and the cause of infertility. It can be time-consuming, expensive and invasive.
How does an IVF treatment work?
During the IVF treatment, mature eggs will be retrieved from ovaries and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then, the fertilized eggs (embryos) are transferred to a uterus. A full cycle of IVF would take about 3 weeks and sometimes these steps are split into different parts, which will make the process becomes longer.
What are the procedures?
This procedure can be done by using the couple’s eggs and sperm, or from a known or anonymous donor. If more than one embryo is transferred to the uterus, it can result in a pregnancy with more than one fetus.
Some of the common risks of IVF treatment:
- Multiple births
IVF increases the risk of multiple births if more than one embryo is transferred into the uterus. A pregnancy with multiple fetuses carries a higher risk of early labour and low birth weight than a pregnancy with a single fetus does. - Premature delivery and low birth weight
IVF slightly increases the risk of the baby being born early or with low birth weight. - Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
Ovaries can become swollen and painful after being injected with fertility drugs, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), which is used to induce ovulation. - Miscarriage
The rate of miscarriage for women who conceive using IVF with fresh embryos is similar to that of women who conceive naturally (around 15% to 25%), but the rate increases with maternal age.
Talk with our dedicated gynaecologist and embryologists today for IVF treatment consultation.