12 myths of in vitro fertilization
In vitro fertilization is shrouded in numerous myths that often create unnecessary fears or erroneous expectations. Here are some of the most common myths and the reality behind them:
Myth 1: IVF guarantees pregnancy at 100%
Fact:IVF significantly improves the chances of getting pregnant, but does not guarantee 100% realization of pregnancy. The success of the in vitro procedure depends on many factors, the most important of which is age: Women under 35 have a higher success rate (40-50%), compared to women over 40, as they age, the quality and quantity of eggs decreases. Other factors are: egg and sperm quality- if the gametes are of poor quality, this can lead to unsuccessful fertilization or problems with the development of the embryo; the cause of infertilityWomen with endometriosis, reduced ovarian reserve or uterine abnormalities may have a lower chance of success lifestyle and overall health: factors such as weight, stress and smoking also influence the results and last but not least: the choice of clinic and specialist: the experience of the doctor, embryologists, laboratory equipment, technologies used play a key role.
Myth 2: IVF is never successful from the first attempt
Fact: Although it is true that the in vitro procedure does not guarantee pregnancy from the first attempt, many women succeed already in the first cycle, especially if they are under 35 years old and do not have serious reproductive problems. Although it is very difficult to predict whether a woman will succeed from the first attempt or if several attempts will be needed, the results prove that 40% of cases after an in vitro procedure become pregnant on the first attempt, 55% of women conceive after two attempts, 65% of women conceive after 3 attempts.
Myth 3: IVF leads to multiple pregnancies
Fact: The chance, or rather the risk, for twins or triplets is higher if more embryos are transferred. In order to reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies, in the Invitro Clinic “Sofia”, for several years now we have been using single embryo transfer, especially in young women, without severe reproductive problems, or in women who have undergone PGS, when we are sure that the embryo is absolutely healthy.
Myth 4: IVF babies are not natural, they are weaker, sick and with birth defects and have a low IQ
Fact: Babies conceived in vitro are biologically related to their parents and develop in the same way as all other children. The only difference with them is the method of fertilization. There is no evidence that children born as a result of an in vitro procedure are more prone to health problems than those conceived naturally. A study published in The New England Journal of Medicine confirms that in vitro babies are at no increased risk of birth defects compared to babies born after natural conception, reassuring couples of the safety of the procedure. To ensure a healthy pregnancy, more and more clinics are focusing on embryo screening. Children born through IVF perform as well academically as those conceived naturally. The studies did not reveal cognitive differences between the two groups, dispelling concerns about developmental delay. IVF babies thrive just like their peers.
Myth 5: IVF is an extremely painful procedure
Fact: IVF involves minimally invasive procedures and causes only mild discomfort. Hormonal injections can lead to slight bruising, and follicular puncture for the extraction of the ovum is performed under sedation. The process is designed to be as comfortable as possible for patients.
Myth 6: IVF is the only option for infertility treatment
Fact: IVF is one of the many solutions to treat infertility, not the only treatment. Options such as ovulation induction, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and surgical interventions may be more appropriate, depending on the diagnosis. A thorough diagnostic evaluation and an individual approach help determine the best approach to action.
Myth 7: The baby will not be yours
Fact: In vitro fertilization involving the wife's egg and the husband's sperm, the child is 100% genetically related to the parents. Even if an oval/sperm donor was used, the child will still be yours, since half of his genetic complement comes from one of the parents. The most important point to remember is that you really want to have a child, and IVF gives you the gift of experiencing the magical transformation of motherhood that a woman goes through during pregnancy and childbirth.
Myth 8: After IVF, complete rest is required, bed rest
Fact:Almost every couple who has undergone treatment asks themselves this question. We have working women who, after the follicular puncture to extract the eggs, return to work; women who have resumed normal activities and work 3 days after embryo transfer and have continued to work throughout pregnancy. It is not necessary to treat pregnancy obtained after IVF differently from natural pregnancy. It is not necessary to limit yourself and keep the bed after embryo transfer. In fact, too much bed rest can create unnecessary anxiety and reduce your success. This is because too long bed rest will prevent normal fluctuations in blood flow and heart rate. We always encourage women to resume light activities to maintain blood flow and reduce stress. As with any normal pregnancy, some caution is recommended during pregnancy after an in vitro procedure — no heavy physical exertion.
Myth 9: In vitro treatment causes early menopause
Fact: The in vitro procedure does not deplete the ovarian reserve prematurely and does not cause early menopause. During IVF, drugs only stimulate the growth of follicles that contain the eggs that are naturally present during this menstrual cycle.
Myth 10: All IVF clinics are the same
Fact: As with all medical facilities and treatments, quality can vary greatly. A high-quality team and laboratory can have a significant impact on your chances of success in an IVF cycle. When patients decide where to be treated, it is important to consider the education, training and many years of experience of all members of the in vitro clinic team. The overall result of the IVF cycle can be dictated by the skills and work of embryologists. In our clinic we are sensitive about the importance of education and professional development, all our embryologists have an advanced or postgraduate degree, such as a master's or doctoral degree. Our team keeps abreast of new developments through regular ongoing professional development, writing and reading publications and attending international congresses, conferences and courses. The extensive training that our team undergoes is essential so that our embryologists know how to create the ideal conditions that are most favorable for the development of healthy embryos.
Myth 11: IVF can be done at any age
Fact: Female fertility decreases significantly with age, which therefore also reduces the chance of success in older women. Women under 35 have a better chance of success, and those over 40 are more likely to face a number of challenges. We must not forget that egg freezing is an option to preserve fertility in women who are aiming for a career, have not met their life partner or are simply not ready to become mothers at the present moment.
Myth 12: IVF is only for women with serious fertility problems
IVF is a universal treatment option that benefits couples with a wide range of fertility-related challenges. While in vitro fertilization is often recommended for women with blocked fallopian tubes or severe endometriosis, it is also used for male infertility — when sperm counts are low or motility problems. It can be recommended for sterility of unclear origin and in the preservation of reproductive function. You can choose IVF if you or your partner have a genetic disease that can affect the health and longevity of your baby. Using your own eggs and sperm, we create embryos in the lab, which can then be tested for genetic problems, after which only healthy embryos are transferred, the remaining healthy embryos can be frozen for later pregnancies.