In Vitro Fertilization is an extremely safe and assisted reproductive treatment in which serious complications rarely occur. Planning the process specifically for couples and following each stage ensures that the risks that may be experienced are reduced. Nevertheless, IVF treatment is a medical treatment and is also known to have certain risks.1
It is known that ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome may occur in 10% of women due to the use of hormone drugs during the stimulation of the ovaries. However, many women experience it mildly and recover easily.2 OHSS is a complication characterized by dangerous enlargement of the ovaries due to fluid and the leakage of this fluid into the abdomen and into the chest area.3
OHSS is not the only risk specific to the stage of ovarian stimulation. Side effects such as mild bruises at the injection site, nausea, vomiting, temporary allergic reactions, increase in vaginal discharge and fatigue may be encountered.
If more than one embryo is transferred to the uterus, it is possible to encounter multiple pregnancies. It is known that multiple pregnancies are more risky in terms of premature birth and low birth weight compared to single pregnancies.4
At the stage of ovarian stimulation, drug therapy is used to ensure the maturation of more than just one egg. When the ovaries respond to these drugs and the eggs mature, they are collected via the method of transvaginal follicular aspiration. Although rare, there are some risks specific to the process. Infection, bleeding, damage to surrounding organs and reactions to the anesthetic agent are among the possible complications.5
If the transferred embryo ends up in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy may occur. Therefore, if the pregnancy test performed after IVF treatment gave a positive result, it is important to make sure that the embryo is developing properly and the pregnancy is progressing normally.6
A common belief about IVF treatment is that the risk of miscarriage is greater in IVF treatment. Although this is a correct opinion, it is necessary to carefully assess why the risk of miscarriage is higher after IVF. The risk of miscarriage in naturally occurring pregnancies is in the range of 15%-20%. In IVF treatment, the risk of miscarriage is about 22%. It is thought that variables such as the age of women and the cause of infertility are behind this increased risk. Although ovarian stimulation is considered a risk factor, it is accepted that advanced methods such as pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, which can be applied within IVF, can reduce the risk of miscarriage among women who are 40 years of age and older.7
1 https://www.reproductivefacts.org/news-and-publications/patient-fact-sheets-and-booklets/documents/fact-sheets-and-info-booklets/in-vitro-fertilization-ivf-what-are-the-risks/
2 https://www.verywellfamily.com/understanding-ivf-treatment-step-by-step-1960200#toc-safety-and-risks-of-ivf
3 https://www.verywellfamily.com/ovarian-hyperstimulation-syndrome-ohss-1960185
4 https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716
5 https://www.news-medical.net/health/IVF-What-are-the-Risks.aspx
6 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/ivf/risks/
7 https://www.verywellfamily.com/risk-of-miscarriage-after-in-vitro-fertilization-ivf-2371733
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