IVF is undoubtedly one of the best ways to overcome infertility. It is a relatively safe process and has a rather high success rate. That said, although IVF is rather safe, just like any other medical procedure, the IVF process, and as a result, IVF pregnancy, has its own set of risks as well. The question being examined is what potential risks are linked to IVF pregnancies? Some of these risks include OHSS, multiple pregnancy and preterm birth, ectopic pregnancy after embryo transfer and miscarriage. However, there are additional dangers for the mother beyond these IVF-related risks.
In this blog, we provide you with an overview of the IVF pregnancy risks, along with additional information, such as key factors that influence IVF risks. With this in consideration, let's begin!
Medical Complications of IVF Pregnancy
One of the first aspects of IVF pregnancy risk is medical complications. These medical complications range from hormonal abnormalities to miscarriages. Now, do note that while these medical complications do indeed exist, there is only a slight chance of any of them occurring to you. Regardless, we cannot deny that these medical IVF pregnancy risks exist. Some of the common forms of Medical complications of IVF pregnancy include:
1. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome, or OHSS for short, is a condition that can occur in response to fertility medication used during the ovarian stimulation aspect of IVF. These medications are designed to encourage the ovaries to produce multiple eggs; however, in some cases, the response can be a bit excessive, leading to OHSS. There are multiple levels of OHSS.
- Mild OHSS can result in abdominal bloating, mild pain, and nausea.
- Moderate to severe OHSS can lead to serious issues such as rapid weight gain, shortness of breath, vomiting, fluid accumulation in the lungs, blood clots, and decreased urine output.
Severe OHSS is rather uncommon, especially when IVF is done with modern protocols and under careful monitoring. However, when it does occur, you may need to be hospitalized and receive supportive treatment to prevent complications.
2. Multiple Pregnancy and Preterm Birth
One of the well-known IVF pregnancy risks is multiple pregnancies, especially twins or triplets. It typically occurs when multiple embryos are transferred during the treatment. While it is not exactly a risk as some parents knowingly undergo IVF with multiple embryos, hoping for multiple pregnancies, for others, it is an inconvenience and somewhat of a risk. You do have to note that multiple pregnancies come with their own set of risks, which parents need to be aware of. These risks include:
- Higher risk of gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and delivery complications.
- More common occurrences of preterm birth and babies born prematurely can face challenges such as low birth weight, respiratory distress, and developmental delays.
To reduce these risks, many of the clinics also recommend single embryo transfer (SET) whenever it is medically appropriate.
3. Ectopic Pregnancy After Embryo Transfer
Another one of IVF pregnancy risks is ectopic pregnancy. This type of pregnancy happens when a fertilized embryo attaches itself outside the uterus in the fallopian tube. Although this is a relatively rare occurrence after IVF, the chances are still there, especially if you have pre-existing tubal damage or endometriosis. Specific key signs of an ectopic pregnancy may include:
- Sharp abdominal or pelvic pain
- Vaginal bleeding
- Dizziness or fainting
If this form of pregnancy is not treated properly, it can pose a serious threat to your health if left untreated. Diagnosis generally involves blood tests and ultrasound imaging. Treatment also includes medication and surgery to remove the ectopic tissue.
4. Miscarriage
Although miscarriage is rather rare, miscarriage or the spontaneous loss before 20 weeks, can occur in both natural and IVF pregnancies. The overall miscarriage rate of IVF pregnancies is similar to that of natural conception. However, various elements can also contribute. Various elements concerning miscarriage include:
- Maternal age: The risk of miscarriage in IVF increases with age, especially after 35.
- Embryo Quality: if the embryo quality is poor, there may also be chromosomal abnormalities, making it less likely to result in a normal pregnancy.
Underlying health conditions: Issues such as uterine abnormalities, autoimmune disorders, and hormonal imbalances can contribute to miscarriage risks.
Emotional and Psychological Risks
IVF pregnancy risks are not just physical. Depending on your circumstances, you can also come under several emotional risks. These risks include aspects such as stress and anxiety to issues with partners and family. The key emotional and psychological risks associated with IVF pregnancies include:
1. Stress, Anxiety, and Depression During IVF
In-vitro fertilization is a process that can be demanding both physically and mentally. Additionally, it can also be very draining emotionally. The sheer anticipation of each step involved and the turmoil of emotions caused by hormone injections can easily make you feel overwhelmed, anxious, and emotionally drained. Some of the psychological stressors during IVF pregnancy include:
- The uncertainty of outcomes at every stage
- Financial pressures associated with treatment
- Hormonal fluctuations that affect mood and energy
- Feeling a lack of control over one's body or future
- Fear of failure or repeated disappointments
These emotions can build up over time and can lead to clinical anxiety or depression, especially if you are going through multiple cycles. It is also important to remember that these emotions are valid, and it is perfectly normal to seek emotional support. Should you face these issues, you can attend therapy, comfort through peer groups, and practice mindfulness.
2. Dealing with Failed Cycles
Perhaps one of the hardest emotional experiences when it comes to IVF is when it fails. Even if IVF has a pretty high success rate, there are always possibilities of failure. Dealing with it can emotionally and mentally affect you; after all, it is a failure after so much hope and investment. Emotional reactions to a failed cycle can be:
- Sadness and grief
- Anger or frustration
- Guilt or self-blame
- Feelings of isolation or hopelessness
All of that aside, you do need to note that the success rate does increase after each failure so a failed cycle is not completely lost. Also, remember that grieving is something normal. Give yourself a little time to get through the feelings and processes assist if you feel you need it. Your emotions are completely warranted, regardless of what everyone else might tell you.
Relationships with Partner and Family
IVF affects not just the individual undergoing treatment. It can place emotional stress on relationships and how you interact with your partner and family.
Some of the common problems are:
- Incompatible ways of coping with feelings
- Fragmented expectations for outcomes or what happens next
- Intimacy problems due to stress and exhaustion
- Communication failure or emotional distance
Being honest, staying in touch with each other, and looking into mutual counselling can really keep the two of you together and supported along the way.
Family and friends can also unwittingly put pressure on you by querying or giving unwanted advice that may not always be helpful. It's OK to have boundaries and let them know the kind of support you really need.
IVF is difficult, but with communication and agreement, it can also strengthen your relationships.
Key Determinants Of IVF Risks
By this time, we have provided you with various information regarding IVF risks of pregnancy. Now, let's observe some of the main determinants that influence IVF risks. Before we proceed with the causes, you should keep in mind that not all IVF experiences are the same. There are a few factors that decide how your body would respond to the treatment and the success or danger involved in the process as a whole. Having this knowledge can help you prepare yourself better and make the correct decisions.
1. Maternal Age and Egg Quality
Maternal age and egg quality are two of the most important factors deciding the success of IVF. The relationship between IVF risk and age is fairly simple - the higher the age, the higher the risk. At the same time, egg quality also determines the risk of IVF pregnancy - the lower the egg quality, the higher the risk. This reduction in egg quality and increase in egg size increases the risk of chromosomal abnormalities that can lead to failed implantation or miscarriages. If you are above 40 years of age, then the rate of success declines and the risk rate increases. Some women have selected donor eggs to increase their chances, as these are typically from young donors with healthy ovaries.
2. Underlying Medical Conditions
Underlying conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, thyroid disease, diabetes, or autoimmune disorders may significantly affect IVF risk. They may impair ovulation, hormone levels, or uterine environment to such an extent that embryos are unable to implant and develop well. Accurate diagnosis and control of the same before starting IVF are essential to reduce complications and optimize success rates.
3. Lifestyle Factors
Your lifestyle directly affects fertility and IVF success. Smoking kills egg and sperm quality, whereas too much alcohol and an unhealthy diet can disrupt hormone balance.
Excessive stress, disturbed sleep, and underweight or overweight status also damage fertility and response to treatment. Adopting healthier lifestyle patterns—stop smoking, consume a healthy diet, manage stress, and maintain a healthy weight—can make your body more receptive to IVF and boost the chances of a successful pregnancy.
4. Embryo Quality
Embryo quality plays a key to the possibility of pregnancy. Healthy embryos have a better chance of implanting well and developing into a healthy fetus. Embryo quality is affected by the health of the eggs and sperm and by lab conditions during fertilization and initial development. Highly advanced methods such as preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) enable experts to choose the healthiest embryos, lowering the chance of miscarriage and overall success rate. These are only a few of the primary determinants which determine the risks associated with IVF. Besides the ones listed here, there are quite a few more that affect the overall risk. However, hopefully, you comprehended the dynamics of it all in totality.
Proactive Steps to Minimize Risks at Hardik IVF
We have already discussed the serious risks of IVF pregnancy and the key factors that influence IVF risks. Now, let us talk about some of the proactive steps to minimize the risk of IVF pregnancies. So, what are these proactive steps to minimize the risk of IVF pregnancy at Hardik IVF? Some of these key strategies are:
1. Tailored Stimulation Protocols
We do not support a one-size-fits-all approach. Our fertility doctors create personalized ovarian stimulation protocols according to your age, hormone levels, medical history, and overall health. This aids in reducing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) without compromising the maximum response to treatment.
2. Real-Time Monitoring
Throughout the cycle, we monitor your progress closely using up-to-date ultrasound scanning and hormone assays. This allows us to make instant medication or procedure adjustments as required, reducing the risk of complications and increasing overall success.
3. Early Warning Signs and When to Call Us
We instruct every patient on what to watch for both during and after treatment. Unusual bloating, severe pain, or unexpected bleeding—from what's normal to what's not, we make sure you know. And if something just does not feel right, our personnel is only a phone call away—ready to guide you, assess concerns early, and prevent small issues from turning into large ones.
If you want to make use of all of these strategies to reduce the risk of IVF pregnancies, do feel free to visit us at Hardik IVF and the Fertility centre, the best IVF center in Nepal. And if you seek more insights into the various aspects of IVF, do check out some of our other blogs.
FAQ Understanding IVF Pregnancy Risks: What Every Couple Should Know
1. How risky is an IVF pregnancy?
Although IVF conception carries slightly more risk than natural conception—such as twins or preterm birth—most of them go on to be fine with proper therapy. Adequate supervision and modern techniques have reduced complications in recent years.
2. Is natural pregnancy an option after IVF?
Yes, natural conception is possible after an IVF cycle is successful, even among couples diagnosed with infertility previously. It depends on what the cause of the infertility is and general reproductive health.
3. What precautions need to be taken in IVF pregnancy?
During IVF pregnancy, one should take medical guidance, go for regular checkups, handle stress properly, and lead a healthy life. Avoid heavy lifting, smoking, alcohol, and unprescribed medications.
4. In which month is IVF pregnancy safe?
No specific month is entirely “safe,” but after the first trimester—around 12 weeks—the risk of miscarriage drops significantly. From that point onward, most IVF pregnancies follow a similar path to natural ones.
