The risks of IVF

Too many eggs or none at all

Every woman responds differently to ovarian stimulation treatment. While it may cause ovarian hyperstimulation in one woman, the same dose may not be enough for another.
If the ultrasound scan shows a response very different from what was expected, we discuss with the couple whether to adjust the dose or possibly stop the cycle.

Ovarian hyper­stim­u­la­tion syndrome (OHSS)

Hormonal stimulation can cause side effects, which include:

• Severe bloating of the abdomen
• Nausea, vomiting and pain
• Thromboembolic complications (blood clots)

Patients who have symptoms of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome a week after egg retrieval should tell their doctor as soon as possible. Prompt action and starting treatment quickly are important.

Surgical risks

As with any surgical procedure, egg retrieval carries a risk of infection of the follicle and of injury to nearby tissues and organs (e.g. the bladder or blood vessels) from the retrieval needle. However, the rate of these complications is low.

Multiple pregnancy

To increase the chances of success, more than one embryo is transferred at each embryo transfer. This increases the risk of a multiple pregnancy and the risks this brings for the health of the mother and the children.
The rate of twin pregnancies in IVF is about 20%.

Will the baby be healthy?

Every pregnancy, natural or assisted, carries a risk of congenital abnormalities in the fetus. Studies worldwide show that the likelihood of congenital abnormalities of the urinary and genital systems is slightly higher in an assisted pregnancy. In general, it should be borne in mind that women who turn to IVF are older, so a slightly higher rate is to be expected.

Risk of miscar­riage

The likelihood of miscarriage in IVF is about 20%.