Are there any risks associated with ART treatment?Your Fertility Specialist will discuss the possible risks as they relate to you and your partner during the Informed Consent Process.
Anyone taking medication for any reason should be aware of the possible side effects and should report adverse effects to those managing their treatment. The medications used for ART are known to create some minor side effects in some women. The operations and anaesthetics used in ART carry similar risks as for any gynaecological operation. For gynaecological operations, the usual risks of serious complication or death is less that 1 in 10,000.
Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
All women undergoing ovarian stimulation, such as during an IVF treatment cycle, experience enlargement of their ovaries and a complex change in their hormone balance. For up to 5% of stimulated women this can be quite unpleasant with abdominal bloating and pelvic discomfort, however, for <1% of stimulated women, the abdominal pain and fluid retention is so severe that admission to hospital is necessary. Hyperstimulation varies in severity, however you must contact your Monash IVF clinic or clinician if you notice any of the above symptoms so that we can monitor you closely. <OHSS FACT SHEET link>
The Egg Collection Procedure
It is very rare for the collection needle to damage the bowel, bladder or a blood vessel. Pelvic inflamation can result in 1:300 - 1:500 patients after egg collection, but this usually rapidly responds to antibiotics.
IVF Pregnancies
There is no increased risk beyond that of a normal pregancy, however all the normal complications of pregnancy including ectopic and miscarriage, can occur after IVF.
Multiple Pregnancy
Management of IVF in Australia is characterised by a very conservative approach to embryo transfer, in order to reduce the likelihood of multiple births. To reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies we have to limit the number of embryos transferred. The policy at Monash IVF is to transfer no more than two good quality embryos. <Multiple births FACT SHEET link>
Abnormalities in Children born using IVF
Every child born after IVF has been recorded, and whilst there does not appear to be a significant increase in abnormalities, some European reports have shown a small (up to 1%) increase.
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