Risks of fertility treatment
Ectopic pregnancy:
The fertilized eggs (embryos) can get stuck outside the uterus. Even when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus, ectopic pregnancy can occur. Thanks to the frequent examinations during the fertility treatment, an ectopic pregnancy will be detected and treated at an early stage.
The risk of a spontaneous abortion is related to the woman’s age. In younger women the risk is 10 – 15%, while in women around 40 it is approx. 40%. This may be because the chromosomes in the fertilized egg or the development of the fetus are not normal. But in many cases we unfortunately do not find an explanation. The risk of spontaneous abortion with fertility treatment (IVF) is slightly higher than the risk of spontaneous abortions.
What risks are there for the child during fertility treatment?
In pregnancies achieved naturally, the risk of malformations is between 2% and 7%. Studies show that this risk is neither greater nor less with an IVF pregnancy. Recent research points to the fact that fertility treatment with microinsemination (ICSI) involves a slightly increased risk of transmission of genetic errors from the parents to the child. In 3-5% of men who have severely reduced sperm quality, this condition is in some cases due to an inherited gene, so a child born through ICSI may inherit reduced sperm quality.
A very small proportion (1-2%) of infertile men are also carriers of a hereditary gene for cystic fibrosis, which can also be transferred to the child through ICSI. We therefore recommend genetic counseling and possibly a study of the genetic makeup before fertility treatment. In our clinics, we always look at your individual situation and give you thorough advice on the diagnostic and treatment options to increase your chances of having a child.
