IVF: Dr Rajalaxmi Walavalkar busts myths related to In Vitro Fertilisation

Thanks to science, the issues related to conceiving are getting addressed and one such path-breaking technology is In Vitro fertilization aka IVF. Speaking of the same, IVF is a type of assistive reproductive technology (ART). It involves retrieving eggs from ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm. This fertilized egg is known as an embryo. The embryo can be either frozen and stored or transferred to a woman’s uterus. IVF has been used by many who are infertile. Speaking of the process, it involves five steps namely, stimulation, egg retrieval, insemination, embryo culture and transfer. Even though many couples have been taking the help of IVF, many still hesitate to follow the procedure. If you too have doubts regarding the same, then you are at the right place.

In an exclusive chat with Dr. Rajalaxmi Walavalkar, Medical Director, IVF Specialist & Senior Gynecologist at Cocoon Fertility, she debunked the myths related IVF. Read on to know more.

Myth 1: IVF babies are at a higher risk of developing birth defects and abnormalities: 
This is a myth. As evidence or research has not shown that IVF babies are at any major risk of suffering from birth abnormalities. The danger of delivering a baby with a birth defect is equivalent to IVF babies as in the general population.
 
Myth 2: Women who fall in the age group of less than 35 years have a 40 % chance of taking a baby home after a single attempted IVF.

Along with age, the success rate of IVF is also based on aspects such as the reason behind infertility, and biological and hormonal circumstances as well.

Myth 3: IVF is not a safe procedure to undergo
This is a big myth. It is an absolutely safe medical procedure with only about less than two percent of patients standing the peril of becoming unwell from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.

Myth 4: IVF has the ability to lead to multiple pregnancies

Although there have been cases of multiple pregnancies with this method, limiting the number of embryos that are being transferred, predominantly in younger women, can help mitigate this jeopardy.

ALSO READ: Egg Freezing: Dr Rajalaxmi Walavalkar OPENS UP on the path breaking fertility preservation technique

Myth 5: IVF pregnancies have to be delivered by a caesarean birth as opposed to normal vaginal births.

This is untrue because once conception has occurred IVF pregnancies are like the naturally conceived ones and do not indicate towards the need for cesarean section unless your medical condition demands it. Normal vaginal delivery is absolutely possible if you have undergone an IVF treatment.

Myth 6: IVF is only for younger couples

Age is indeed the main factor that regulates fertility, but this process can be as effective in females who range in the post-menopausal group as in younger ones. For ladies who fall in the older age group, the procedure makes use of donor eggs derived from younger females. However, one should bear in mind that the pregnancy rates in older women are much lower as compared to the same in younger women.