IVF, or in vitro fertilization, has long ceased to be a sensation. Now it is quite a routine, well-established method of treating infertility, but still surrounded by myths. We discussed all these myths with the specialists of the Mother and Child clinic, their comments are below in the article.
Despite the prevalence of IVF, there are still a lot of stupid myths and prejudices about it among the people. They concern literally everything, starting from the price and ending with the mental abilities of children conceived artificially.
Myth 1: Test tube babies are different.
The first child conceived through IVF was born in 1978. 40 years of observation of thousands of children allow us to assert with confidence that they are no different from those who were conceived in a natural way. They have congenital diseases, although somewhat less frequently than in the rest of the population, since genetic diagnosis is more often performed. There are neither physical, nor mental, nor psycho-emotional features that would make it possible to single out “IVF children” into a certain group.
Myth 2: Children born after IVF are infertile
See Myth 1 – this is not true. They have the same diseases as other people, and it is natural that some of them face the problem of infertility. And the other part – does not collide and already has quite healthy children.
Myth 3: IVF is a complicated method and requires preparation, but the result is 100%
Unfortunately, it is not. The efficiency of in vitro fertilization is about 40%. Many women endure several failed attempts before having a successful pregnancy and having a baby.
Myth 4: IVF is for women over 40
In fact, women of different ages resort to artificial insemination. But the method is more effective, the younger the woman, the optimal age for IVF is up to 35 years. This does not mean that it cannot be carried out later, just after 40 years, the effectiveness decreases markedly.
Myth 5: After IVF, multiple pregnancies are most common
Previously, in order to increase the chances of successful implantation, a woman was implanted with several embryos at once. Now this is not practiced, since multiple pregnancy is more difficult to bear and loads the female body more. Multiple pregnancy with IVF is not excluded, but the probability is not higher than usual.
Myth 6: IVF is a treatment for female infertility
This is not true. Artificial insemination is also very effective in male infertility, which is just as common as female infertility. There are situations when a woman cannot get pregnant from a partner in a natural way, for example, due to low sperm motility. In this case, IVF will help with a high probability.
Myth 7: Too expensive/free
The price of IVF depends on many factors, on the health of the woman, the type of preparation (stimulation stage) and a number of others. In Ukraine, there is a program under which women from 19 to 40 years old with absolute infertility can get one free artificial insemination attempt.
If you are considering the possibility of artificial insemination and want to get reliable information, consult a reproductive specialist, do not rely on randomly obtained information full of myths and prejudices.
The opinion of the editors may not coincide with the opinion of the author of the article.