Millions of parents in this world are childless. The advancement of IVF or In Vitro Fertilization is like a blessing to them.
Even though IVF advancement in medical science has helped many couples fulfill their dream of becoming parents, they always ask whether their newborn child would be healthy. Even you might have such a question.
Most people believe that babies born under assisted reproductive techniques are not as healthy as naturally born. However, researchers around the world are continually trying to put an end to such false beliefs. They have presented many research-proven materials that don’t seem to support the claim that IVF babies are not as healthy as naturally born babies.
Some of the significant benefits that would make you consider an IVF treatment:
- IVF works best where other infertility treatments fail
- It can be used by anyone, surrogate or gestational carriers, giving everyone a chance to become parents
- Decreases your chances of having a miscarriage
- Increases your chances of conceiving regardless of age
So, before we explain about healthy babies being born through IVF, you need to understand the difference between a natural conception and conceiving through In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).
IVF and natural conception
If you compare the process of IVF and natural conception, you will conclude that there is not much difference between them. The most crucial process of any conception is the fertilization of the sperm’s eggs, which exists in IVF.
The difference is, in the natural process, fertilization happens in the fallopian tube inside your body after sexual intercourse. In an IVF procedure, fertilization occurs in a dish outside the body in a special lab explicitly designed for this process.
Also, in natural conception, the formed embryo travels to the uterus where it is implanted naturally for pregnancy. In IVF, a lab-created embryo or embryos are implanted in the uterus using a device.
You must understand that after the embryo or embryos are implanted in the uterus, the phases that come after are the same as natural conception. So, if you put more thought into it, you will understand that an IVF baby’s health is not at all at risk. These babies can be just as healthy and disease-free as a baby born through natural conception.
Do IVF babies bear higher health risks?
You might think that because of the artificial conception of IVF babies, they are more likely to fall into high-risk health categories.
Yes, it is true that IVF babies do have some shortfalls and don’t come completely risk-free, some the risks with an IVF baby include:
- Born prematurely,
- Born with low birth weight
- Neonatal death (in rare cases)
IVF babies also have a high risk of congenital birth defects and neurological disorders than naturally born children. Sometimes, babies conceived through IVF or any other assisted reproduction techniques may develop autism or any other learning disability.
However, factors responsible for these abnormalities could be male or female fertility and age of the parents. It is not the IVF process itself that is at fault.
Some researchers have also found that there might always be a higher amount of risk in multiple births. This happens because experts transfer more than a single embryo to maximize your chances of getting pregnant compared to single births.
So, if you are looking forward to have twins or have multiple embryos transferred through your IVF treatment, ask your IVF specialist regarding all the risks that come along with multiple births.
Should you go for an IVF?
Having considered all the facts we have mentioned, going for an IVF might seem risky, but still worth it. It is a chance for couples unable to conceive a baby naturally.
It is important to note that most babies born through an IVF process are entirely healthy, both physically and mentally, assuring the process’s success. If you follow the necessary precautions mentioned by your IVF specialist, you can give yourself a bundle of joy and happiness, something that you were looking for.