IVF questions

[onthefly]

There is no evidence that there are risks associated with pregnancies resulting from IVF, no. There is a correlation between IVF and risks etc, but no proof this is due to the IVF itself.

[Maruschke]

There is no evidence that there are risks associated with pregnancies resulting from IVF, no. There is a correlation between IVF and risks etc, but no proof this is due to the IVF itself.

Yep don't let anyone tell you, or anyone else, that you are high risk purely because of IVF. They MUST look at why you needed IVF first.

[LizLemon]

In relation to the disability question, our clinic actually told us at the start (and said that they had to inform us) that IVF increased the risk of birth defects from approx 2% to 4%. However they stressed that even things like cleft lips etc were considered "birth defects" for the purpose of the figures. Some things are due to the fact that science is circumventing the natural selection process, others possibly due to the actual IVF (and moreso ICSI) process. I have read that they think that certain cancers (retinoblastoma for example) and some genetic diseases are more prevalent among IVF children.

Having said this, I have found just as many studies/reports say that there is no increased link between IVF and birth defects as I have saying that there is. I think noone really knows at this point, and it is fair to say that in many cases people accessing IVF are either older, which may compromise egg and sperm quality, or may have health problems that cause the fertility issues. (Although some studies I have found that have found increased birth defects among IVF children have already adjusted for maternal age).

I would like to see better studies conducted in Australia following the health of IVF children. Both mine are IVF, and they could have two heads for all anyone at the clinic or in the reproductive technology field would know. So far they are perfect but it is a constant worry to me that something will manifest itself in the future due to the way in which they were conceived.

Bearing all this in mind, even 4% birth defect risk is still pretty low. And as MadB said, it all amounts at this point to a correlation, not proof, although whether that gives much comfort or not is up to the individual. For me it didn't

[onthefly]

I would wonder whether they've corrected for things like sperm abnormalities and age of the woman....?

[LizLemon]

Yeah as I mentioned some had adjusted for maternal age but you're right sperm quality would also play a part. Although you wonder if just because a sperm has poor motility or something if it could cause birth defects, beyond the child having sperm issues. A lot of the studies I read talked about the possibility of the process itself causing mutations. I dunno could all be scaremongering and butt-covering.

[onthefly]

It sounds like a plausible theory to me, I'm just not aware of any actual evidence I would be interested to hear if there is.

[beansbeans!]

Thanks ladies.

You have all helped so much. You have helped me work through a few preconceived impressions about IVF, not my own, but some I have heard.

Thank you