In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): What are The Risks?

IVF is a method of assisted reproduction in which sperm and eggs are combined outside of the body in a laboratory dish. One or more fertilized eggs (embryos) may be transferred into the female’s uterus, where they may implant in the uterine lining and develop.

What kind of side effects can occur with IVF medicines?

Usually, injectable hormonal medications (gonadotropins) are used for an IVF cycle. These medicines help stimulate the ovaries to grow follicles containing eggs. A more detailed discussion of fertility medications can be found in the ASRM booklet, Medications for Inducing Ovulation.

Possible side effects of injectable fertility medicines include:

• Mild bruising and soreness at the injection site (using different sites for the injections can help)
• Temporary allergic reactions, such as skin reddening and/or itching at the injection site
• Nausea and occasional vomiting
• Breast tenderness and increased vaginal discharge
• Mood swings and fatigue
• Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)

Most symptoms of OHSS (nausea, bloating, pelvic discomfort) are mild. They usually go away without treatment within a few days after the egg collection. In severe cases, OHSS can cause ovaries to become very enlarged and large amounts of fluid to build up in the abdomen (belly) and possibly the lungs. This can cause dehydration, trouble breathing, and severe abdominal pain. Very rarely (in less than 1% of IVF cases), OHSS can lead to blood clots and kidney failure. For more information about OHSS, see the ASRM fact sheet Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS).

Studies from several decades ago suggested a link between ovarian cancer and the use of fertility medicines. However, more recent, high-quality studies no longer show clear associations between ovarian cancer and the use of fertility medications.

What are the risks of the egg retrieval?

During the egg retrieval, your doctor uses ultrasound through the vagina to guide the insertion of a long, thin needle through your vagina into the ovary and then into each follicle to retrieve the eggs. Possible risks for this procedure include:

• Mild to moderate pelvic and abdominal pain during or after. In most cases, the pain disappears within a day or two and can be managed with over-the-counter pain medications.
• Injury to organs near the ovaries, such as the bladder, bowel, or blood vessels. Very rarely, bowel or blood vessel injury can require emergency surgery and, occasionally, blood transfusions.
• Pelvic infections following egg retrieval or embryo transfer are uncommon. Severe infection may require hospitalization and/or treatment with intravenous antibiotics. Rarely, to manage a severe infection, surgery may be required to remove one or both of the ovaries, tubes, and/or uterus. Women who have had pelvic infections or endometriosis involving the ovaries are more likely to get IVF-related infections.

What are the risks associated with the embryo transfer?

A catheter containing the embryo(s) is used to gently place it(them) into the uterus (womb). Women may feel mild cramping when the catheter is inserted through the cervix or they may have vaginal spotting (slight bleeding) afterward. Very rarely, an infection may develop, which can usually be treated with antibiotics.

If I conceive with IVF, will my pregnancy be more complicated than if I conceived on my own?

Having a pregnancy with more than one baby (twins, triplets, etc.) is more likely with IVF, particularly when more than one embryo is transferred. These pregnancies carry significant risks, including:

• Preterm labor and/or delivery: premature babies (regardless of whether they were conceived naturally or with IVF) are at higher risk for health complications such as underdeveloped lungs, intestinal infections, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, language delay, and behavior problems.
• Maternal hemorrhage (severe bleeding)
• Delivery by cesarean section (C-section)
• Pregnancy-related high blood pressure
• Gestational diabetes

The more embryos that are transferred into the uterus, the greater the risk. For more information about multiple pregnancy, see the ASRM booklet titled Multiple pregnancy and birth: twins, triplets and high-order multiples.

Your doctor should transfer the minimum number of embryos necessary to provide a high likelihood of pregnancy with the lowest risk of multiple pregnancy. For more information about this, see the ASRM fact sheet: Why would I choose to have elective single embryo transfer?

Will IVF increase the risk of my child having a birth defect?

The risk of birth defects in the general population is 2%-3%, and is slightly higher among patients with fertility problems. Most of this risk is due to having pregnancies later in life and the underlying cause of infertility. Whether or not IVF alone is responsible for birth defects remains under debate. However, when intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is done along with IVF, there may be an increased risk of birth defects. ICSI is when the sperm is directly injected into the egg.

In addition, there may be a slight increased risk of sex chromosome (X or Y chromosome) abnormalities with ICSI. However, it is uncertain if these risks are due to the ICSI procedure itself or to problems with the sperm themselves. Men with sperm defects are more likely to have chromosomal abnormalities, which can be transmitted to their children. However, these disorders are extremely rare.

Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy

The rate of miscarriage after IVF is similar to the rate following natural conception, with the risk going up with the mother’s age. The rate of miscarriage may be as low as 15% for females in their 20s to more than 50% for females in their 40s.

There is a small risk (1%) of an ectopic (outside the uterus) pregnancy with IVF; however, this rate is similar or less to females with a history of infertility. If an ectopic pregnancy occurs, a patient may be given medicines to end the pregnancy or surgery to remove it. If you have not had an ultrasound confirming that the pregnancy is in the uterus and experience sharp, stabbing pain; vaginal spotting or bleeding; dizziness or fainting; lower back pain; or low blood pressure (from blood loss), call your doctor immediately. These are all signs of a possible ectopic pregnancy. There is a 1% risk for a heterotopic pregnancy after IVF. This is when an embryo implants and grows in the uterus while another embryo implants in the tube, leading to a simultaneous ectopic pregnancy. Heterotopic pregnancies usually require surgery (to remove the ectopic pregnancy). In most cases, the pregnancy in the womb can continue to develop and grow safely after the tubal pregnancy is removed.