Michelle Emblenton, a biochemist at inviTRA, answers this question in the video:
In vitro fertilization with ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection) carries the same potential risks and side effects as a classical IVF procedure.
One of these is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. And this is where following the hormonal medication used to stimulate the ovaries, they have been overstimulated. This can result in pain, blow in and swelling in the ovaries. Although this is monitored by ultrasound, it can cause a problem and can lead to your cycle being cancelled while the syndrome is treated. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurs rarely these days and, if it does occur, is usually of very low severity.
Another risk involved in IVF procedures is multiple births. When more than one embryo is transferred, there is a possibility of a multiple pregnancy. When we transfer two or three embryos the chances of becoming pregnant with twins or perhaps triplets is increased. However, modern techniques allow us to perform many single embryo transfers in order to prevent the risks of a multiple pregnancy. Only in very rare cases are two embryos transfer and it is unlikely that three embryos will be transferred.
Miscarriage is always a possible risk in undergoing IVF procedures, as it is with natural pregnancies, and it is estimated that between 20 and 22% of the procedures end in a miscarriage.
An ectopic pregnancy results when the embryo implants in the fallopian tube rather than in the uterus. This is problematic because the embryo cannot develop and grow there and results in removal of the fallopian tube. Ectopic pregnancies happen in between 2 to 5% of the pregnancies resulting from IVF treatments, whereas with natural pregnancies it's seen between 1 to 2% of the time.
