GENERAL MYTHS ABOUT IVF
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is assisted reproductive technique for the aid of couples who are struggling with infertility. As the name indicates it involves fertilization of ovum with sperm under lab conditions. It’s a quite simple procedure which involves stimulating patient’s or donor’s ovaries with hormones for the production of more than one eggs followed by oocyte retrieval and then mixing of eggs with patient’s or donor’s sperms. After 24 hours of insemination, embryos are beings checked by embryologist for fertilization assessment followed by embryo transfer on D3 or D5 based on embryo development and uterus preparation of patient. Despite simple but being advanced procedure there are plenty of misconceptions among patients about IVF. Let’s discuss some common myths about IVF
- IVF IS PAINFUL
It’s a common misconception about IVF that IVF is a painful procedure. Yes, it is true that IVF involves lots of medication and injectables like hormonal injections for the production of eggs in females which make it mild painful depends upon your tolerance level. But it doesn’t involve any major surgical procedure or cuts and stiches.
- IVF REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATION DURING THE ENTIRE PROCEDURE
When we heard word treatment we ultimately think about hospitalization. But in case of IVF, you need not to be hospitalized. A female needs to take frequent visits to the hospital for ovarian and uterus assessment for about 5-7 times only.
- CHILDREN BORN THROUGH IVF MAY HAVE BIRTH DEFECTS
Children born through IVF are as normal as natural conceptions. There are very minute chances of having birth defects in children born through In vitro Fertilization. To overcome these negligible chances of birth defects recent advances introduces pre implantation genetic diagnosis, which involves extraction of few developing cells from the developing embryos and being tested for known genetic defects.
- HORMONAL INJECTION CAN CAUSE OVARIAN CANCER
It’s a big misconception among patients the follicular stimulating hormones can cause ovarian cancer. IVF gynaecologist and endocrinologist are expert in their fields and they will adjust your hormonal dosage in such a way that wont damage your body at all. But yes, expert suggests that frequent or continuous stimulation cycles may cause major hormonal imbalance in body and ultimately effects your ovaries.
- IVF PREGNANCY REQUIRE COMPLETE BED REST
Not every IVF conception requires complete bed rest until you experience some complications in the pregnancy. If everything is well then you are allowed to do your basic work at home and at your workplace. But if your gynaecologist is suggesting you bed rest due to some complication or if it is a high-risk pregnancy, then you should must listen to her.
An infertile couple is dealing with physical, mental and social struggle. So, it is obvious to have these misconceptions in their mind. Also, IVF is a sensitive procedure so before making any decision, you should ask these questions to your gynaecologist and clear your doubts. They will help you to make right choices and leads you towards the path of parenthood.
