Common myths/misconceptions around IVF
The first IVF baby was born around four decades ago. Over these years, assisted reproductive technology (ART) has come a long way. If you are struggling with infertility issues, IVF can fulfil your dream of parenthood. It has become increasingly popular today, with more and more modern couples seeking further information about it.
However, in their attempt to know more about IVF, they often fall prey to misinformation. We have compiled a list of the most commonly held myths and misconceptions about IVF that you must steer clear from.
- IVF is painful and needs complete bed rest: This is the most standard misconception. However, very few women complain of experiencing pain during their IVF treatment going by reports and data. Retrieval of eggs, transfer of embryo etc., are done under general anaesthesia and takes about 15 minutes. You can resume normal activities within 4-6 hours.
Of course, everyone reacts differently to needles, ultrasounds, and vaginal catheters. But there is hardly any remarkable pain or discomfort involved in the entire IVF cycle. If you do feel pain, you should inform your IVF specialist immediately. Women undergoing IVF can return to work on the same day or the next day after each process. It is no different from natural pregnancy, and you can continue working throughout the process. - IVF babies are not normal: This myth propagates that IVF babies are born with birth defects, have low birth weight and are at an increased risk of developmental delays. If you are afraid of such an outcome, go for genetic counselling. You can also consider pre-implantation genetic diagnosis to lower the risk of congenital disabilities for your baby. It is considered to be a safe way of determining the genetic health of the embryo. Even your fertility specialist may recommend it along with initial genetic screening.
On the contrary, IVF lowers the risk of birth defects since the selection procedure ensures that only good-quality oocytes and sperms are chosen for fertilisation. Besides, advanced technologies such as ICSI comes to the picture if there’s any abnormality in the sperm or if the male partner has a low sperm count. - IVF makes you vulnerable to cancer: No scientific evidence has yet come to the limelight to validate this. Indeed, the commonly used medications to develop multiple mature eggs lead to fluctuations in progesterone and oestrogen levels.
It is also important to note that infertility is often linked to breast or ovarian cancer, but this is irrespective of whether you undergo any infertility treatment. What’s more, genetic factors leading to infertility can also increase the risk of ovarian cancer, but this has nothing to do with IVF or any other infertility treatment. - IVF results in multiple babies: This is far from the truth. In fact, IVF is the ONLY fertility treatment that allows control in terms of how many embryos are implanted. Most IVF centres recommend single embryo transfer, as it boosts your chances for a successful IVF cycle.
Transferring multiple embryos increase the risks of miscarriage, labour complications, and premature delivery. It is a widespread misconception that transferring multiple embryos increases the likelihood of a successful outcome. - IVF is the best/only option: Every case of infertility is unique and should be treated accordingly. If you thought IVF is the only solution for childless couples, well, you’re mistaken. Both the male and female partners should undergo specific tests and examinations to identify the cause of infertility correctly.
Often times, issues such as low-functioning thyroids, autoimmune conditions, fallopian tube blockages, etc. can be resolved with medication. There is no need to resort to IVF in such cases. Let your doctor or fertility specialist recommend the best solution for you, based on how severe the condition is, whether the issue lies with the woman or the man, and other determinants. Fertility treatment is highly case-based and NOT confined to IVF alone.
Seeds of Innocence is one of the leading chains of IVF and fertility centres in India. We have a highly qualified and experienced team of fertility specialists, who put their best foot forward to help couples with their infertility issues. If you are giving a thought of IVF or simply need to diagnose the reason for your infertility, we can safely place your trust in us.
At Seeds of Innocence, we leave no stones unturned to fulfil your dream of parenthood. Every case is treated uniquely, based on the tests done to identify the cause of infertility. Post-diagnosis, we administer the treatment course accordingly, including IVF, IUI, cryopreservation, artificial insemination, and so on. Besides our expert panel of intentionally trained doctors and fertility specialists, you can also expect state-of-the-art infrastructure. Our goal is to cater to the rising demand for reliable and premium-quality fertility centre in India. With our leading chain of IVF centres, we are the perfect answer if you are on the lookout for a well-equipped fertility clinic.