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In Vitro Fertilization for Infertility
In vitro fertilization (IVF) increases the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple pregnancy.
- Severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, which rarely is life-threatening, develops in 0.5% to 2% of all IVF cycles.3 Your doctor can minimize this risk by closely monitoring your ovaries and hormone levels during superovulation.
- Approximately 35% of births in the United States that result from assisted reproductive technologies such as IVF produce pregnancies with twins or more.2 Multiple pregnancies are high-risk for both the mother and the fetuses.
There may be a higher risk of birth defects for babies conceived by certain assisted reproductive techniques, such as IVF. Talk with your doctor about these possible risks.
Your doctor will help you decide how many embryos to transfer, with the goal of having a healthy pregnancy with one fetus. You should discuss this decision before your treatment cycle begins and then again before embryo transfer. Depending on your age and other factors, you may decide to limit the number of embryos transferred to one, two, or three. If more than two embryos implant and grow in your uterus, you will probably be counseled about multifetal pregnancy reduction to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy and infant survival.
Embryo transfer success versus the risk of multiple pregnancy
For a woman over age 35 to maximize her chances of conceiving with her own eggs and carrying a healthy pregnancy, she may choose to have more embryos transferred than a younger woman would. But this increases her risk of multiple pregnancy.
Because of the risks to the babies of multiple pregnancy, experts recommend limiting the number of embryos transferred. Your doctor will recommend a certain number of embryos to be transferred based on your age and specific situation.
Women over 40 have a high rate of embryo loss when using their own eggs. As an alternative, older women can choose to use more viable donor eggs. When a woman uses donor eggs, experts recommend using the donor's age to help figure out how many embryos to transfer.1
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: March 19, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
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