For couples who have been unsuccessful in their attempts of having a baby, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) seems like the answer to their prayers. However, some couples end up having second thoughts because of certain myths that are still being perpetuated despite their having been proven false by medical science.
Let us debunk some of these common myths about IVF. Hopefully, with this knowledge, you can make an informed decision on pursuing a reproductive technique that will enable you to have that long desired family.
1) IVF is appropriate for all infertility cases.
IVF is typically thought of as a last resort for fertility treatments, but it may also be the first procedure recommended depending on your situation. Although IVF is a viable option for a wide range of fertility issues, it is not right for all couples. IVF is just one of the many infertility treatments available for infertile patients. You should thoroughly discuss your case with your fertility specialist and make your decision based on the information your doctor presents. Please bear in mind that IVF is a difficult, stressful and expensive program, though it has the best pregnancy outcome; generally, we do not recommend it unless it is really necessary.
2) IVF greatly increases a woman’s fertility.
In reality, the opposite is true. The number and quality of eggs (ovarian reserve) decreases naturally and progressively from the time a woman is born until the time she reaches menopause. This decline is gradual until her early 30s but accelerates quickly after her mid-30s. IVF is one of the various medical approaches that can maximize the chances of conceiving. Such medical treatments may be helpful, but they cannot reverse the natural aging process of the egg.
3) IVF uses up my remaining eggs.
This is untrue. A woman is born with her entire lifetime supply of eggs. By her first menses, she has over 400,000. Every month a group of immature eggs (cohort) in the ovaries is selected to be the ones that are either used or lost. In general, a woman in early twenties could expect to recruit and lose 15-30 eggs per month. Every month, one of these eggs is chosen to be the “dominant” one which will grow to maturity and ovulate. The remaining will disintegrate and be lost.
This recruitment and loss happens monthly regardless of whether a woman is pregnant, on birth control, or not ovulating regularly. Fertility drugs used in IVF treatment, works by sustaining the growth of the “non-dominant” eggs of the cohort, which will otherwise be disintegrated at the end of a cycle. So there is no extra reduction in the egg number due to IVF procedure itself.
4) IVF is always successful.
Sadly, this is not true. Just like even nature fails sometimes following intercourse at the right time (in fact most of the time), IVF can also fail. There are many factors that determine the success of IVF, with a woman’s age and the number and quality of transferred embryos foremost among them.
This is why when evaluating an IVF treatment centre, it is important to take a look at their success rates, and also whether they are using the best methods and technologies to improve your chances of success. At Sincere IVF Center, we are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment, the time-lapse embryo monitoring system, which can provide us information about the whole development of the embryos.
These are just a few of the common myths about IVF. Schedule an appointment with our specialists at Sincere IVF Centre so we can debunk any misconceptions you may have about this procedure.