Risks

There is no known increased risk of abnormality in babies born as a result of IVF procedures.

There are some risks associated with IVF therapies. These include:

  • Mild discomfort and bruising of the arm as a result of repeated blood testing and injections.
  • In 1-3% of cases, medications may over-stimulate the ovaries. This so-called hyperstimulation syndrome causes lower abdominal pelvic pain or cramping and spotting and can cause difficulties in breathing. This discomfort is due to the formation of excessively large ovarian follicles or cysts. Treatment may have to be cancelled. In rare circumstances, hospitalization and other treatments may be necessary to relieve the condition.
  • Vaginal ultrasound-guided pickup is usually associated with some discomfort. If it is significant, additional medication can be given during or after the procedure. In less than 1% of cases, bleeding or pelvic infection may also occur after the egg retrieval process.
  • Where more than one embryo is transferred, there is a much higher risk of Multiple Pregnancy. Multiples occur in approxmately 30% of treatments, with the majority being twins, however higher order multiples, such as triplets, can occur in 2% or patients undergoing IVF. As a result, AART’s policies limit the number of embryos that it will transfer into a woman’s uterus and we encourage single embryo transfer when appropriate.
  • In about 3-4% of treatments, an embryo implants in the fallopian tube or other location outside of the uterine cavity resulting in a tubal pregnancy. This necessitates either medical treatment with a drug called Methotrexate or surgical removal of the embryo as it can neither remain in the tube nor be transferred to the uterus.
  • Stress is inevitably associated with IVF procedures. Couples are encouraged to contact the Reproductive Endocrine Centre for counselling or appropriate referral for coping with this stress or with IVF failure.
  • 11% of IVF cycles are cancelled for a variety of reasons.
  • Very rarely, no eggs are obtained during egg retrieval.

Assessment After Failure

The AART team will review your therapies whether or not pregnancy occurs after treatment. A physician will meet with you after the review to discuss treatment adjustments and to plan a possible second cycle.