What Are the Disadvantages of In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?

By BSc, MSc (embryologist).
Last Update: 05/09/2014

Problems associated with in vitro fertilisation may be due to ovarian stimulation or pregnancy.

The different sections of this article have been assembled into the following table of contents.

Ovarian stimulation

Risks derived from ovarian stimulation include:

  • Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome
  • Multiple births: in cycles where two embryos are transferred, chances for a twin pregnancy are 6%. In cycles where three embryos are transferred, chances for a twin pregnancy are 6% and chances for a triplet pregnancy are 3%.

Ectopic pregnancy

Pregnancy

Risks derived from pregnancy include:

  • Miscarriage: it is estimated to occur in between 20-22% of the cases, being more common during early pregnancy.
  • Ectopic pregnancy: according to statistics, 2 or 5 women out of every 100 women undergoing in vitro fertilisation may have an ectopic pregnancy. In natural conception, its probability may reach 1% up to 1.5%.

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Authors and contributors

Neus Ferrando Gilabert
Neus Ferrando Gilabert
BSc, MSc
Embryologist
Bachelor's Degree in Biology from the University of Valencia (UV). Postgraduate Course in Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction from the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH). Experience managing Embryology and Andrology Labs at Centro Médico Manzanera (Logroño, Spain). More information about Neus Ferrando Gilabert

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