Are you preparing for your IVF or fertility treatments? Infertility treatments have made a significant improvement since the birth of the first IVF baby in the world. Many couples have been able to achieve their family goals with assisted reproductive technology (ART). Despite the many success stories of IVF, IVF is still misunderstood in many places. You have probably heard some myths and misconceptions about IVF treatment. We have debunked some of the most common IVF myths in this article.
Myth: IVF only works for infertile couples
Fact: IVF can be used to assist women who are unable to conceive. However, IVF is not a cure-all. If you or your partner have a genetic disorder that could impact your baby’s longevity and health, IVF may be an option.
We create embryos using your eggs and sperm. Then we test them for genetic problems. Only healthy embryos are transferred. If you desire, we can freeze healthy embryos for future pregnancies.
IVF may be used to create a child using the DNA of one partner. To complete the procedure, you can choose to use donor eggs or donor embryos.
Myth: IVF can be done at any age
Fact: As women age, so does her reproductive system. She may not be able to produce enough eggs to make a healthy embryo even with IVF. So a woman should have enough oocyte reserve to produce embryos and the reserve might come down with age.
There are other factors that can influence your chances of success with IVF, like quality of gametes (sperm/oocyte). There are some couples who have unique challenges and may need multiple IVF cycles.
Your doctor will discuss your chances of success, depending on the health and age of you and your partners.
Myth: IVF is successful only in young couples
Fact:IVF is effective for older couples also, but not as much as for younger couples.
Myth: IVF can cause multiple births
Fact: IVF labs used to transfer a lot of embryos in one go, in the past to increase your chances for a live birth. Technology has improved over the years increasing the success of single embryo transfers. Transferring multiple embryos can increase your chances for miscarriage and premature birth. Many centers transfer not more than 2 embryos at one time.
Myth: Twins are always the product of IVF.
Fact: While it is true that multiple births frequently occur during IVF therapy, it is also true that elective single embryo transfer can be done using advanced ART procedures. Twinning can also occur naturally and usually runs in families.
Myth: If you are infertile, IVF is the only way for you to have a child.
Fact: IVF is not the only treatment option for infertile couples. The treatment depends on semen analysis and oocyte reserve of the husband and wife respectively as well past medical and obstetric history.
After you and your partner have had complete fertility evaluations, infertility specialist will recommend the appropriate treatment.
Simpler procedures such as surgery to correct structural problems or medication to balance hormones may be more beneficial. Artificial insemination is another option. This involves introducing sperm from a donor or your partner to your uterus. IVF is the latest and most successful treatment option in infertility.
Myth: Fertility drugs can cause cancer
Fact: Even though you need to take medication to induce ovulation and release multiple eggs, they are safe. IVF has been used by more than 48.5 million couples worldwide to have children. There has been no evidence that IVF treatment has increased the risk of developing cancer in these couples.
Myth: IVF babies are weak
Fact: IVF babies are as healthy as normal babies
Myth: IVF requires that you are admitted to the hospital
Fact: IVF only takes a few hours during egg collection, for which an individual is not required to admit.
Myth: IVF women should remain in bed rest throughout the pregnancy
Fact: IVF Pregnancy is like any other normal pregnancy. The state of the pregnancy is the most important determinant of how much rest your body needs.
A complete bed rest is not something that a doctor will recommend during IVF. It is important to take care when the eggs are being implanted in the uterus.
Myth: IVF is used only in cases of female infertility
Fact: There is a myth that infertility only affects females.
It is false! Both males and women can experience infertility and certain cases of male infertility require IVF only.
Myth: IVF can cause a lot of abnormalities.
Fact: There is no increase in incidence of congenital abnormalities in IVF babies.
Myth: IVF pregnancies always result in cesarean section delivery
Fact: The mode of delivery does not depend on the method of conception. Be it IVF or natural pregnancy, the presence or absence of complications and other factors like birth passage, weight of baby, determine themethod of delivery.
Myth: Weight does not affect IVF results
Fact: IVF is best done when you are healthy and balanced in weight. Any sudden weight changes can have an adverse effect on fertility.
Myth: IVF is a guarantee of success in the first cycle
Fact: The truth is that there is no guarantee for success in the first time only for every couple. Because every case is different, success rates can fluctuate and depend on which centre you choose.
Myth: You can’t do another IVF cycle after the first one.
Fact: Based on your fertility specialist’s recommendation and your health, you can go for another round of IVF success after a month break minimum.
Myth: IVF babies will have only donor genes.
Fact: When IVF is performed using donor sperm, there will be shared genes between the mother and the child. In the same way, a baby who receives eggs from an egg donor will share many of the father’s genes.
Myth: Infertility is not caused by a poor lifestyle
Fact: Your chances of having a future pregnancy can be affected by poor diet, inactivity, excess alcohol consumption, and so on.
Myth: IVF clinics all look the same.
Fact: ESHA IVF is not only the best with its advanced Technology, but also with doctors with years of experience.
Myth: IVF is expensive
Fact: ESHA IVF’s IVF treatment is transparent and affordable. You can ask any question you like with 24X7 support.
Myth: IVF couples are not happy families
Fact: Not only can ESHA IVF help with your goal of becoming a parent but it can also offer psychological support to help overcome anxiety and stress associated with infertility.
Myth: All IVF clinics have the same procedures.
Fact: Quality can vary widely between medical facilities. ESHA IVF has the best IVF specialist across the city of Hyderabad, Dr. Chandana Lakkireddi on board, who is highly experienced and qualified having International credentials to her name. Its team is equipped with skilled embryologists and other staff. They are also supported by the best IVF lab for optimizing results.
These IVF myths need to be dispelled in order to make your IVF journey easy and efficient. These IVF facts and myths will help you to see how IVF can benefit your life.
DISCLAIMER: The blog content is being distributed solely for informational and educational purposes. The information included in this blog post or other resources with links is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, medical advice. Users should consult their doctors before making any medical or health-related decisions, according to Esha IVF.
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