The Benefits and Risks Associated with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
If you are considering having in vitro fertilization (IVF) to conceive, it is important that you know more about the procedure before having it. One of the things you should know more about are the common benefits and risks associated with the procedure. In the twenty plus years that IVF has been used regularly in assisted reproductive technology, close to 200,000 babies have been born as a result in the United States alone. IVF has been particularly popular as it has a success rate of near 30 percent and a birth rate of the same. Those odds sound great to couple struggling with infertility, and that is why they are the primary benefits of IVF. When you decide to have IVF there are many risks of IVF you need to consider. The first risk comes when you take part in something called gonadotripin stimulation or ovarian stimulation. This process can cause mood swings and headaches, but it can also lead to a dangerous condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). OHSS can lead to swelling of the ovaries, fluid retention, blood clotting, stroke, and pulmonary embolism. There are a number of other risks of IVF you should be aware of before considering the procedure. Some of the risks of IVF relate to the pregnancies that result from the procedure. For instance, the rate of ectopic pregnancy (i.e., multiple fertilized embryos) is increased when you have in vitro fertilization. Ectopic pregnancy can lead to spontaneous miscarriage, but left untreated it can be life threatening. Some studies have also shown that the risks of IVF extend to the babies born as a result of the procedure. For instance, numerous studies have noted that IVF increases the risk of low birth weight. In addition to this, some studies have determined that IVF increases the risk of birth defects by almost 5% over children conceived naturally. For more information on egg donation and becoming an egg donor and in vitro fertilization (IVF), it is important to get in touch with fertility specialists in Somerset, New Jersey to receive the information you need to make a good decision.