Chromosomal variations - genetic problems with the embryo
One of the most common reasons why IVF is unsuccessful, or why miscarriages occur, is because of chromosomal variations in the embryo. Up to 70% of embryos, whether created naturally or through IVF, are lost before birth.
Newly pregnant patients often wonder whether having undergone IVF puts them at an increased risk of having a miscarriage. The answer is no. IVF does not contribute to miscarriages.
The good news is, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) with genetic testing, can significantly lower the risk of miscarriage and increase chances for a successful pregnancy.
IVF with own eggs (with or without ICSI) — Egg retrieval date + 266 days (or 38 weeks) IVF with fresh donor egg cycle (with or without ICSI) — Egg retrieval date + 266 days (or 38 weeks) Fresh donor embryo cycle — Egg retrieval date + 266 days (or 38 weeks)
Pregnancy after in vitro fertilization (IVF) brings a special kind of joy – but IVF may also increase risks of some complications. IVF increases the likelihood of twins, triplets or high-order multiples, with accompanying risk for premature birth, high blood pressure, placenta abnormalities and other challenges.
The heartbeat can be seen as early as five weeks and six days. In natural pregnancies, at around seven weeks the placenta will make all the progesterone needed for a woman to stay pregnant. Even if you removed the ovaries and stopped all progesterone, the women won't have an increased risk of miscarriage!
According to one study, once a pregnancy gets past 6/7 weeks and has a heartbeat, the risk of having a miscarriage drops to around 10%.
In the case of IVF pregnancy, the right time of implantation can be found out and at 6 weeks, fetal heartbeat can be detected. But if no heartbeat is seen, couples should wait for one week for the heartbeat to appear. This happens in 10-15% of cases.
If you have IVF, you have a slightly higher risk of having an ectopic pregnancy, where the embryo implants in a fallopian tube rather than in the womb. This can cause pain in the tummy, followed by vaginal bleeding or dark vaginal discharge.
Recurrent early miscarriages (within the first trimester) are most commonly due to genetic or chromosomal problems of the embryo, with 50-80% of spontaneous losses having abnormal chromosomal number. Structural problems of the uterus can also play a role in early miscarriage.
Hormonal imbalances of prolactin, thyroid hormone or progesterone can result in miscarriage. Illnesses such as diabetes mellitus or immune system abnormalities may increase the chance of miscarriage.
The guideline says progesterone should be given if the pregnancy is in the womb, and potentially normal, until 16 weeks of pregnancy. However, in the big studies looking at progesterone's effect in reducing miscarriage the beneficial effects of progesterone were complete by 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Can progesterone treatment prevent miscarriage? Taking progesterone in early pregnancy (within the first 16 weeks) is recommended for women and birthing people with a high risk of early miscarriage who are having any vaginal spotting or bleeding. However, it may not prevent every miscarriage.
How early? Twins conceived after IVF are 23% more likely to be born early than twins conceived naturally, according to a 2017 study. The same research suggested that IVF singletons are about twice as likely to be born premature as singletons conceived naturally.
Here's the good news: According to a study, after an ultrasound confirms baby's heartbeat at eight weeks, the risk of miscarriage is about 3 percent. Better yet, research published in Obstetrics & Gynecology indicates that the rate is closer to 1.6 percent for women experiencing no symptoms.
Studies show that women in their 20s and 30s have the most success when getting pregnant through IVF and other reproductive technologies. According to the CDC, the average percentages of assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycles that lead to a live birth are: 31% in women younger than 35 years of age.
It is also common knowledge that often in IVF cycles, there is a multiple embryo transfer that result in twins and triplets. “Normally, multiples are born earlier than singletons. Therefore in IVFs, chances of preterm births are higher given that there are multiple embryos,” Dr Kumar adds.
The possibility of the IVF resembling its mother is thin as a donor egg doesn't share any of its genes with its intended mother. Nonetheless, if the sperm used is that of her partner, the baby may look like its father. This is simply because both share the same genetics.
You are officially pregnant and your frozen embryo transfer was successful. This means you will remain under the care of the fertility clinic to further monitor the pregnancy development with ultrasounds and blood tests until you are 8 to 10 weeks pregnant.