the downsides of IVF treatment

IVF is an invasive treatment

Couples can find IVF treatment stressful; physically and psychologically because of the daily injections, the puncture, possible side effects of the drug therapies and the frequent out patient visits.

This is a tense time, in which feelings of both fear and hope play a role. The stress and fear that couples go through when they put their hope on IVF test the limits of their patience and character. In addition, an important difference from any of your previous (fertility) treatments is that, by starting an IVF/ICSI treatment, the definitive climax to whether or not you can get pregnant together may be getting closer. In short, after IVF/ICSI, there are very few options left.

It is important to be aware that unexpected developments may occur at any time. Every couple is different and it is impossible to predict a treatment exactly. A treatment cycle comprises several stages in sequence. Successful completion of all these stages in sequence is essential to the success of the treatment.

It may be a good idea to decide in advance whom you will and will not keep informed about your treatment. This prevents painful questions later. The time following the transfer of the embryo is generally felt to be the most difficult.

If you find the treatment hard and you need the guidance of an expert, it is important that you voice this.

Although IVF can test a couple’s relationship and emotions, it also offers them the possibility of achieving their goal of a pregnancy. Couples who decide to begin IVF must do so with absolute commitment and follow the clinic’s instructions to the letter.

Before beginning treatment, couples have to ask themselves certain questions.

• Do we know what to expect?
• How many times are we going to try it?
• Are we prepared for the fact that even after a positive pregnancy test there is still the chance of a miscarriage?
• Do we know what our chances are?

Financial

IVF is an expensive treatment. The costs of IVF vary from programme to programme and clinic to clinic and it is recommended that you be well informed before beginning a treatment.  Besides this, there is an equivalent amount for drugs. The financial side of fertility treatments is explained more extensively elsewhere. The financial aspects of an IVF treatment play a large role in considering whether or not to begin IVF.

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handling embryos

Transfer policy

The more embryos that are transferred, the greater the chances of a multiple pregnancy. A maximum of three embryos is generally transferred because if the number is larger, the chance of having triplets or quadruplets is irresponsibly high. The number of embryos transferred is generally discussed in consultation with the couple. Several factors play a role in this decision, including the age of the woman, the quality of the embryos and the number of previous attempts. If two embryos are transferred, there is a 25% chance of a twin pregnancy. Your feelings about a twin pregnancy must therefore be taken into account. Compared with a single pregnancy, a twin pregnancy carries more risk. A multiple pregnancy can entail problems for the children, with a greater chance of premature birth and death. Children that are born prematurely face an increased risk of slow development.

Use of (frozen) embryos

From the very start, you will have to think deeply about your feelings on the subject of how embryos are handled. For example, personal problems concerning the status of embryos may arise in respect of the batch of embryos that are not transferred. For some couples, the ethical aspects are a huge dilemma, although for others this has no or very little bearing.

It is important you consider such issues well in advance. What exactly happens to these “residual” embryos? What happens to these embryos if they are not frozen? The embryos whose development process is stopped can be thrown away because they are no longer viable. Couples have to ask themselves how they feel about this. Can remaining embryos be used for scientific research? How long are they kept?

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