Infertility is a widespread problem as thousands of couple across the globe, are diagnosed with these issues every year. At the same time, the phenomenal progress of medical science has brought solutions for a majority of infertility problems. IVF treatment has emerged as one of the most reliable assisted reproductive techniques. It offers an encouraging success rate as well as is effective for resolving serious female infertility issues.
However, the patient is susceptible to coming across certain complications during a typical cycle of IVF treatment in Delhi. While some of these complications are not serious, others can be life-threatening for the mother and/or baby. It is important to be aware of these complications so that they can be handled in a better way. Rare as these may be, handling the complications well can make all the difference for the woman and her baby. The following are explained stage-wise as the most common complications by IVF doctors in Delhi.
Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
Ovarian Hyper Stimulation Syndrome (OHSS), as the name suggests, is the condition of the ovaries being hyperstimulated by fertility drugs. Ovulation induction is the first stage of IVF treatment in Delhi. The woman is given hormonal therapy to stimulate her ovaries so that they can produce multiple, healthy oocytes for the cycle. But every woman reacts differently to the hormone, with a few of them developing OHSS. In such cases, the ovaries synthesize a very large number of follicles and even start leaking fluid into the abdominal cavity. The other symptoms include ovarian swelling, abdominal pain and bloating, vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
OHSS is a self-resolving condition though rare cases may require hospitalization. Severe hyperstimulation is treated with intravenous drugs to bring back the ovaries to their normal size. Aspiration of follicular fluid may be required in the worst cases. IVF specialists in Delhi need to assess the risk of OHSS from the patient’s history and adjust the fertility medication to prevent this complication.
Egg Retrieval
Like ovarian induction, the egg retrieval phase of IVF treatment in Delhi is attached with some complications too. Egg retrieval involves the retrieval of mature eggs from the ovaries to fertilize them with sperms in a lab dish. A minimally invasive procedure, it is done with the help of a thin, aspirating needle to collect the eggs. The retrieval is usually done under sedation to prevent the pain caused during the aspiration.
The procedure involves complications such as infection, bleeding and injury to the surrounding organs such as the bladder and the bowel. The bleeding can be excessive in case of severe injury and blood transfusion may be required. IVF specialists in Delhi also consider the risk related to anesthesia during this procedure.
Multiple Pregnancies
Another major risk linked with IVF treatment is that of multiple pregnancies. This happens because the specialists transfer multiple embryos to maximize the chances of IVF success. While the transfer of a single embryo lowers the risk of multiple pregnancies, it affects the success rate negatively too. Hence, the number of embryos to be transferred during an IVF cycle is a big question for the patient as well as the IVF specialists in Delhi. Normally, two embryos are regarded as the safest bet though the number can be taken to three for women across forty as the risk of multiples is reduced for them.
Multiple pregnancies are usually ridden with a number of complications such as premature labor, birth defects, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and Cesarean birth. The couple and the doctor need to weight the potential risks and benefits of multiple pregnancies before deciding the feasible number of embryos to be implanted during IVF treatment in Delhi.
Fetal Birth Defects
IVF born babies have a slightly higher risk of having with fetal birth defects as compared to those conceived naturally. Most IVF specialists in Delhi associate the risk with maternal age rather than with the actual treatment. The reason is that a majority of women opting for the ART are of advanced age, which puts them at a higher risk of having a baby with a birth defect. Those conceived with ICSI are susceptible to developing sex chromosome abnormalities due to the use of a selective sperm for fertilization. The relationship between IVF and fetal birth defects is still under research.
Other Complications
In addition to the above-mentioned complications, there are certain more which are a cause of concern for women undergoing IVF treatment in Delhi. Miscarriage risk is one of them, though studies have shown that the risk factor is similar to that involved in natural conception. Here again, the maternal age factor comes into play as older women are at higher risk. Another fear is related to ectopic pregnancy, a dangerous condition during which the embryo implants itself in the fallopian tube rather than the uterus. The risk factor varies between 2% and 5%, which is very similar to that in natural conception. Research has shown that IVF births carry a slightly higher risk of premature delivery and low birth weight.
In addition to these physical complications, IVF has stress and anxiety running high. The woman fears the pain as well experiences financial pressure. And above all, there is a constant fear that the cycle may fail, putting all the efforts in vain. High-stress levels may aggravate the other complications and makes the pregnancy even more difficult. A woman should be positive about the IVF cycle because, despite the risks and complications, the rewards it brings are amazing.
Gaudium IVF is an acclaimed infertility clinic in Delhi, where patients are given the best treatment for diverse infertility issues and are also given relevant counseling and support.
Visit Gaudium IVF for a free second opinion from the award-winning IVF specialist, Dr. Manika Khanna.