What are the Side Effects of IVF?

IVF Side Effects: Risks, Symptoms & How to Manage Them

IVF is a fertilisation process with a success rate of 30-60% in India. It aids infertile men or women to conceive, making dreams come true. Younger women tend to have higher success rates than older women. However, there are certain side effects associated with IVF. Knowing them will help you navigate the whole process easily. 

Risk of Multiple Pregnancies in IVF

IVF treatments, which place more than one embryo in the uterus, result in the birth of twins or triplets. You may think that having more than one baby is a blessing. 

However, this raises birth complications in mothers. Multiple births can cause: 

●  Anaemia 
●  Caesarean section 
●  Gestational diabetes
●  Miscarriage 
●  Pre-eclampsia 
●  High blood pressure 

For babies, multiple birth poses the following:

●  NRDS (Newborn Respiratory Distress Syndrome) 
●  Cerebral palsy
●  Premature birth 
●  Low weight during birth 

Therefore, you should only choose a double embryo if you are above 40 or if there is no other healthy embryo to choose from. 

Side Effects of IVF Medications

During the IVF process, you will be administered various medicines. These include hormone-inducing medicines, anaesthetics and many more. These medicines may cause the following side effects:

●  Headaches 
●  Hot flashes 
●  Irritable 
●  Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome 
●  Restlessness 

If you notice these symptoms worsening, contact your fertility clinic immediately. Your doctor may change the dosage and strength of the medicines. 

Ectopic Pregnancy Risk in IVF Treatment

Generally, an embryo implants itself in the womb of the mother. However, ectopic pregnancy results in the embryo getting implanted in the fallopian tube. 

IVF increases the risk of getting an ectopic pregnancy. This can be characterised by dark vaginal discharge, pain in the tummy and vaginal bleeding. 

Inform your IVF doctor if you notice any irregular symptoms. Generally, after 6 weeks of embryo transfer, your doctor will conduct a test to ensure that it is growing properly. 

What Is OHSS and How Is It Linked to IVF?

Hormone-inducing medicine, which doctors give at the start of the IVF process, causes this syndrome. It is a rare occurrence where women become oversensitive to this medicine. This condition leads to the formation of too many eggs, which causes pain. Severe OHSS can cause significant complications. Here are the symptoms: 

●  Feeling faint 
●  Pain in your tummy 
●  Bloating in your tummy 
●  Shortness of breath 
●  Feeling or being sick

Always inform your healthcare provider if you notice these symptoms. 

Emotional Impact of IVF on Women

IVF procedures are accompanied by stress and anxiety. Women often deal with heightened emotions of anticipation, stress and fear. This can cause extreme mood swings and emotional breakdowns. 

To mitigate these, couples should lean on each other or talk to a professional. 

Physical Discomfort and IVF: What to Expect

Hormonal injections often cause temporary discomfort, such as bloating, swelling and tenderness. However, they are a vital component of the IVF process. 

If you are planning to conceive through in-vitro fertilisation, make sure to thoroughly research its side effects and risks. Talk to your doctor about your medical history. They will determine whether IVF is the best solution for you. With proper guidance, you can fulfil your dreams of becoming a parent through IVF.

Also Read:

→ Is IVF a Painful Process

→ What is IVF Treatment Used for

→ How Much Does IVF Cost

→ What are the Key Factors that Determine the Cost of IVF

→ What is IVF and How is it Done