Assisted reproductive techniques (ART) have made progress in leaps and bounds. IVF (invitro fertilization) has brought a smile to countless number of infertile couples. IVF and associated procedures such as intracytoplasmic injection (ICSI), blastocyst culture, assisted hatching have an impact on the pregnancy, delivery and the child.
Twin or multiple gestations is an important outcome of ART procedure. Many couples are happy to have twins and in majority of the cases there may not be any problem. But some women with twins or multiple pregnancies will deliver prematurely and this can have serious consequences. It is worth noting that there is a 23% increase in the relative risk of premature delivery of IVF twins as compared to natural twins. (RCOG SAC paper 2012).
Premature deliveries also result in babies born with low birth weight. Furthermore it has been noted that even singleton pregnancies after IVF have birth weight lower than as compared to naturally conceived singleton pregnancies.
The risk of birth defects is also increased in IVF pregnancies as compared to the natural conceptions. IVF procedures may actually facilitate transmission of abnormal genes.
Some scientific studies have suggested that there is an increased risk of stillborn babies in IVF pregnancies as compared to natural conceptions.
In present times the embryos are being transferred on day 5 (blastocyst stage) instead of day 2 (cleavage stage). This has improved the pregnancy rate. But there are reports to suggest that this may increase the risk of congenital malformations (birth defects).
Finally the health of the children born after IVF procedures is important. Overall the neurological development, language and behavior outcome is similar to those conceived naturally. But there is definite increase in cases of cerebral palsy.
In present times age seems no bar for conceiving and IVF has enabled older women to bear children. It is important to bear in mind that there is higher risk of various pregnancy related complications such as bleeding during or after delivery, blood pressure, diabetes and also higher chance of operative intervention.
This information is only given to enable you to make a conscious decision about assisted reproductive techniques.
