In vitro fertilization (IVF)

The Mayo Clinic Diet Book, learn more

Free

E-newsletter

Subscribe to Housecall

Our weekly general interest
e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics.

Sign up now

Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Specific steps of an in vitro fertilization cycle carry potential risks, including:

  • Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Use of injectable fertility drugs, such as human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), to induce ovulation can cause ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome — in which your ovaries become swollen and painful. Signs and symptoms include mild abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea and typically last a week. If you become pregnant, however, your symptoms might last several weeks. Rarely, it's possible to develop a more severe form of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome that can also cause rapid weight gain and shortness of breath.
  • Multiple pregnancies. In vitro fertilization increases the risk of multiple pregnancies if more than one embryo is implanted in your uterus. Multiple pregnancies carry a higher risk of early labor and low birth weight than do single pregnancies.
  • Ovarian cancer. Use of certain fertility drugs may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may recommend limiting your use of clomiphene citrate.
  • Egg retrieval procedure complications. Rarely, use of an aspirating needle to retrieve eggs causes bleeding, infection, or damage to the bowel, bladder or a blood vessel. Risks associated with general anesthesia — which may be used for some egg retrieval procedures — might also pose a concern.
  • Premature delivery and low birth weight. Research suggests that use of in vitro fertilization slightly increases the risk that a baby will be born early or with a low birth weight — both in single and multiple pregnancies.
  • First trimester bleeding. Some research suggests that first trimester bleeding is more common in women who undergo in vitro fertilization.
  • Miscarriage. The rate of miscarriage for women who conceive using in vitro fertilization with fresh embryos is similar to that of women who conceive naturally — about 15 to 20 percent. Use of frozen embryos during in vitro fertilization, however, may slightly increase the risk of miscarriage.
  • Ectopic pregnancy. About 2 percent of women who use in vitro fertilization will have an ectopic pregnancy — when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. Women who have tubal damage or blockage or who've had previous ectopic pregnancies are most at risk.
  • Birth defects. Some research suggests that babies conceived using in vitro fertilization might be at increased risk of certain birth defects, such as heart and digestive problems and cleft lip or palate. However, further studies are needed — and, even with the use of in vitro fertilization, the risk of having a baby with birth defects is low.
  • Stress. Use of in vitro fertilization can be financially, physically and emotionally draining. Support from counselors, family and friends can help you and your partner through the ups and downs of infertility treatment.
How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Kuohung W, et al. Overview of infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2011.
  2. Paulson R. In vitro fertilization. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2011.
  3. Treating infertility. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp137.cfm. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  4. Lobo RA. Infertility: Etiology, diagnostic evaluation, management, prognosis. In: Katz VL, et al. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?sid=1112083180&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50044-3--cesec18&isbn=978-0-323-02951-3&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50044-3--cesec45&uniqId=234651154-5. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  5. Doody KJ. Treatment of the infertile couple. In: Schorge JO, et al. Williams Gynecology. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3158481&searchStr=fertilization+in+vitro#3158481. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  6. Infertility: Frequently asked questions. National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.womenshealth.gov/FAQ/infertility.cfm. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  7. Assisted reproductive technologies: A guide for patients. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. http://www.asrm.org/uploadedFiles/ASRM_Content/Resources/Patient_Resources/Fact_Sheets_and_Info_Booklets/ART.pdf. Accessed Feb. 1, 2011.
  8. 2008 Assisted reproductive technology success rates: National summary and fertility clinic reports. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/art/ART2008/PDF/ART_2008_Full.pdf. Accessed Feb. 4, 2011.
  9. Speroff L, et al. Clinical Gynecologic Endocrinology & Infertility. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 2005. http://ovidsp.tx.ovid.com/sp-3.3.1a/ovidweb.cgi?QS2=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. Accessed Feb. 7, 2011.
  10. Bukulmez O. Does assisted reproductive technology cause birth defects? Current Opinion in Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2009;21:260.
  11. Schieve LA, et al. Low and very low birth weight in infants conceived with use of assisted reproductive technology. New England Journal of Medicine. 2002;346:731.
  12. Hvidtjørn D, et al. Multiplicity and early gestational age contribute to an increased risk of cerebral palsy from assisted conception: A population-based cohort study. Human Reproduction. 2010;25:2115.
  13. Yan J, et al. Birth defects after assisted reproductive technologies in China: analysis of 15,405 offspring in seven centers (2004 to 2008). Fertility and Sterility. 2011;95:458.
  14. Ludwig M, et al. Malformation rate in fetuses and children conceived after ICSI: Results of a prospective cohort study. Reproductive BioMedicine Online. 2002;5:171.
  15. Kuohung W, et al. Causes of female infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 8, 2011.
  16. Swerdloff RS, et al. Causes of male infertility. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 8, 2011.
  17. Sonohysterography. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp175.cfm. Accessed Feb. 9, 2011.
  18. Macklon NS, et al. Overview of ovulation induction. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
  19. Medications for inducing ovulation: A guide for patients. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. http://www.asrm.org/uploadedFiles/ASRM_Content/Resources/Patient_Resources/Fact_Sheets_and_Info_Booklets/ovulation_drugs.pdf. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
  20. Frequently asked questions. American Society of Anesthesiologists. http://www.lifelinetomodernmedicine.com/faqs.aspx. Accessed Feb. 24, 2011.
  21. Paulson R. Pregnancy outcome after assisted reproductive technology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 24, 2011.
  22. The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the Practice Committee for the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology. Guidelines on number of embryos transferred. Fertility and Sterility. 2009;92:1518.
  23. The Practice Committee of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Fertility and Sterility. 2008;90:188.
  24. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Committee on Ethics. Multifetal pregnancy reduction. Committee opinion No. 369. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2007;109:1511.
  25. ACOG committee opinion No. 462: Moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2010;116:467.
  26. Jensen JR (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 10, 2011.
  27. Hughes E, et al. Clomiphene citrate for unexplained subfertility in women. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2010; CD000057. http://www2.cochrane.org/reviews. Accessed April 13, 2011.
MY01648 Jan. 31, 2013

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print

  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger