Infertility is a common problem in both men and women today. And thanks to the advancement of medical science, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is one common solution to ensure that an infertile couple is still able to give birth to a healthy baby.
In Australia, 1 in 20 babies is born out of IVF, which is a pretty common procedure. However, many misconceptions and social stigmas are attached to assisted reproductive techniques (ART), of which IVF is a part.
In this article, let’s look at some common IVF myths that need to be busted for good.
- Myth: IVF babies have abnormalities.
Fact: IVF babies do not have any abnormalities. Even if they do, it’s not because they’re born through IVF.
It can be caused due to genetic problems in either or both parents, but not due to technology. In many cases, males experiencing a low sperm count might suffer from genetic problems, which might be passed down to the children.
Females possessing faulty genes can give birth to babies with genetic disorders, even if they were conceived through natural means.
- Myth: IVF is only meant for infertile couples
Fact: This myth is only partially right. While most infertile couples choose to undergo an IVF process to have their baby, it’s not simply limited to infertility.
As mentioned, parents with genetic disorders can also choose to have a baby through IVF if they feel their diseases will affect their health and lifespan.
Here, only the healthy embryos and sperm from the parents are collected and grown in a petri dish. Even same-sex couples can choose to get pregnant from one set of sperm or eggs.
- Myth: IVF can be done at any age
Fact: Unfortunately, IVF is age-restricted. This is because the procedure requires healthy eggs and sperm from biological parents or donors.
But women only have a limited number of eggs, unlike men, who can produce sperm throughout their lives. And after a certain age, the eggs start to deteriorate in quality.
Moreover, even if the fertilized embryo is healthy, the woman’s uterus might not be strong enough to complete the nine-month gestation period.
- Myth: IVF always causes multiple births
Fact: Yes, IVF can lead to multiple births, but that isn’t always the case. This myth started to circulate in society because earlier, doctors used to develop multiple embryos in their labs to ensure that at least one managed to survive.
But since medicine and technology have developed quite a bit today, there’s no need to always transfer multiple embryos to the mother’s uterus.
Most IVF clinics will transfer only one healthy embryo at a time to increase the success rate.
- Myth: IVF takes a long time to be successful
Fact: The success of an IVF procedure depends on many different factors, starting from the mother’s age to the quality and quantity of the sperm and eggs donated.
Even environmental factors, namely the environment of the mother’s uterus and fallopian tubes, play an important role.
In fact, almost 70% of parents have said that their IVF procedures were successful right on the first try. Though it’s difficult to assume, the success rate of each procedure is more subjective.
- Myth: IVF is the only way out for infertile couple
Fact: No, IVF is one of the many procedures available for infertile couples. Most doctors recommend that interested parents go through all sorts of medical evaluations before choosing IVF.
Since this is a time-consuming and slightly expensive process, many simpler methods are available.
For example, a couple might benefit from simpler processes, such as undergoing a small surgery to correct any physiological conditions or taking medicines to make their hormones more efficient,
- Myth: IVF babies are different from natural-birth babies
Fact: This is probably the most common myth associated with IVF and the primary reason why so many couples are afraid to undergo the process.
Contrary to this, IVF babies are the same as babies conceived naturally in the mother’s womb.
Even though the process of conception is different, it doesn’t mean that IVF parents can’t enjoy happy parenthood. Biologically speaking, the child is theirs and can have a great life ahead.
Over to you…
These are some of the most common myths and scientific facts related to IVF. If you and your partner feel that it’s time for you to consult a specialist, don’t hesitate to book an appointment.
