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The Risks of In Vitro Fertilization

Anatomy and Physiology
Block G
Rebecca Shea

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The worlds first successful in vitro fertilization, also known as IVF,

occurred in England in 1978. Today, IVF births account for one percent of all
births annually worldwide. In vitro fertilization is when an egg and a sperm come
together in a lab to form an embryo. The fertilization occurs in a petri dish.
Women often use this when they are infertile, and they are unable to have babies
themselves. Some couples go through this process to avoid transmitting certain
hereditary diseases to their children. This seemingly simple process is very
complex, with many risks involved. There are several steps to IVF. First the
women is injected with fertility drugs to help her ovaries make eggs. The doctor
then gives the woman a general anesthetic before collecting her eggs. A sperm,
either from the womans partner or a donor is collected. The sperm and the egg
are left together to fertilize for 18 hours. Once fertilization occurs, the egg is
placed in an incubator for several days. The doctor then inserts one to three
embryos in the womans uterus, completing the process of in vitro fertilization. I
am strongly against IVF because the success rate is not high, and there are
numerous risks for the baby, such as premature birth, infant disability, and
multiple birth. Additionally, there are many risks for the mother, such as ovarian
hyperstimulation syndrome, hypertension, and a higher risk for miscarriage.
The process of in vitro fertilization has a low success rate. Women under
the age of 35 have a 40 percent chance of success. Women between the ages of
40 to 42 have less than a 20 percent chance of producing a baby. Women over
the age of 45 have less than a 4 percent chance of success. These odds are

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clearly not in the womans favor. Though some may be willing to try multiple
times to have a baby through this process, there are numerous risks involved.
The most common risk of in vitro fertilization pregnancies is multiple birth. In in
vitro fertilization, the physicians use drugs to stimulate a womans ovaries to
release multiple eggs. This increases the chance of them becoming pregnant,
but it also increases the chance of multiple birth. Multiple birth is when there is
more than one baby in a pregnancy, usually twins or triplets. In the United States,
one third of IVF pregnancies are multiple birth. This greatly increases the chance
of serious complications in the babies birth. (Frankfurter) Multiple fetuses
increase the chance of early labor and low birth weight. It can also cause
maternal hemorrhage, cesarean delivery, pregnancy induced high blood
pressure, and gestational diabetes. (Risks) The mortality rate among IVF
multiple births is about five times higher than among IVF single births (Eugster).
IVF has a slightly greater tendency to result in infant disability than in natural
births.
There are many possible complications for the mother through in vitro
fertilization. These complications include a higher risk of miscarriage. The mother
can also get ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, also known as OHSS. This is
caused by the fertility drugs injected in the woman. A womans ovaries become
swollen and painful. The symptoms of OHSS include abdominal pain, bloating,
nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In very severe cases, OHSS can lead to blood
clots, kidney failure, and even death. These grave results occur in less than one

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percent of cases. (In Vitro Fertilization) IVF can lead to a plethora of problems
such as injury to organs, pelvic infection, sex chromosome abnormalities,
hypertension, hypospadias, and bleeding after delivery. The risks of this
procedure include moderate discomfort during or after the procedure. It can
cause harm to the organs close to the ovaries, such as the bladder, bowel, or
blood vessels. About 5 percent of women who go through the process of IVF
have an ectopic pregnancy. This occurs when the fertilized egg is outside the
uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube. There is no way that the pregnancy
can continue because the fetus cannot survive outside a womans uterus.
I understand why some people believe in vitro fertilization is a good
process to participate in. Some couples go through the process of Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD). Couples want to avoid transmitting
diseases to their offspring. Through using IVF, one is able to determine if the
embryo is free of certain genetic diseases before it is implanted in the
uterus (Genetic Testing). Additionally, mothers may not be able to have a child
naturally, so they may choose to go through the process of IVF. This accounts for
one percent of babies born every year in the world. (Frankfurter)
In vitro fertilization is wrong. There are many ethical issues along with
medical problems in the process of in vitro fertilization. In IVF, several embryos
are fertilized. Sometimes not all the fertilized embryos are placed in the mother. A
major ethical dilemma is what then happens to those embryos. Many times not
all the fertilized embryos are placed inside the mother. Embryos that are not

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implanted in the womb can be destroyed, which occurs if the genetic testing
results of the embryo exposes disease. Some argue that destroying embryos is
killing humans. The embryos can also be used for research. If so, is the couple
informed about such activities? In vitro fertilization is wrong because it causes
stress, money, and emotional duress. In addition, IVF is an extremely expensive
procedure. I received information from one IVC clinic, the Reproductive Medicine
Associates of New Jersey. The basic IFV charge is $12,225 for one cycle. This
may or may not be partially covered by insurance. There can be other fees
added to the process. For instance, genetic diagnosis costs an additional $4,500.
These costs can put tremendous stress on a relationship. These prices are only
for one cycle. Because the success rate is less than 50 percent, there is a strong
chance that two or more cycles would be needed for success. Psychologists
Eugter and Vingerhoets said, Undergoing an IVF-treatment is an emotional and
physical burden, for both the woman and her partner (Eugter). It is an emotional
roller coaster to go IVF treatment, and the woman might not become pregnant.
According to Eugter, the process of IVF can have a negative psychosocial effect
on the couple because they lack the human connection. I believe that it is ethical
to conceive children the in the natural process of sexual intercourse, the way
nature intended.
The risks far outweigh the benefits of in vitro fertilization. I believe that IVF
is not worth endangering the mother and the child. It is best to conceive a child
naturally. If a couple desires children, they have other options then unnaturally

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conceiving a child, such as adoption. Though this may not be ideal for some
couples, it eliminates the countless risks associated with in vitro fertilization.
Furthermore, there is no guarantee that IVF will be successful. If the process
fails, there are guaranteed harmful ramifications. In addition to the overwhelming
negative medical and ethical problems, the couple will be burdened financially
and emotionally.

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Works Cited
Eugster, A., and A.J.J.M. Vingerhoets. "Psychological Aspects of In Vitro
Fertilization: A Review." Social Science and Medicine. Pergamon, 2011.
Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
Frankfurter, David. "In vitro fertilization (IVF)." World Book Student. World Book,
2013. Web. 16 Nov. 2013.
"Genetic Testing." Questia School. Columbia UP, 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
"In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)." Mayo Clinic. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education
and Research, 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.
"Risks of In Vitro Fertilization." American Society for Reproductive Medicine.
ASRM, 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2013.