What are the risks of IVF?

IVF is usually a very safe procedure, however like all medical treatments, there are some risks. You may experience a mild reaction to some of the fertility drugs we use including hot flushes, nausea, feeling down or irritable, headaches or restlessness and bloating.

Having a multiple birth (twins, triplets or more) is the single greatest health risk associated with fertility treatment.  This is why many countries have now imposed restrictions on the number of embryos that a clinic can transfer during IVF. Multiple births carry risks to both the health of the mother and to the health of the unborn babies.  The babies are more likely to miscarry, to be premature and have disabilities or cerebral palsy. For this reason we carefully guide you to decide how many embryos should be placed inside your womb.

IVF can also result in an ectopic pregnancy. This is when an embryo develops in your fallopian tube rather than in the womb, and can happen in a natural pregnancy or when you have become pregnant through fertility treatment. Rarely in more fertile women going through IVF the ovaries can over respond leading to a condition called ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).