In vitro fertilization is a technology that helps couples that are infertile conceive a child. Basically, in vitro bypasses the conception part of the equation. The fertilization takes place in a lab, where a harvested egg from the mother is fertilized by sperm from the father and implanted into the woman's uterus. Couples who are not able to have children due to fertility problems often look to in vitro to become pregnant. But pros and cons should be carefully weighed before embarking on the in vitro journey.
Pro: It's a Solution
As recently as 1978, couple who could not conceive a child through natural means were faced with adoption as their only solution to their infertility and childlessness. That's when in vitro was first successfully performed by Dr. Edwards (an embryologist) and Dr. Steptoe (a gynecologist). A solution to infertility was born, and since then, thousands of couples have used in vitro as a way to conceive a biological child. In vitro fertilization gives hope to those couples who are told they are unable to have children.
Con: It's Not a Sure Thing
While the success rates of different clinics vary, it should be noted that in vitro fertilization does not have a 100 percent success rate. The American Pregnancy Association notes that for a woman under the age of 35, the success rate for in vitro is around 30 to 35 percent. That success rate declines as the age of the mother increases. In vitro is an expensive process, and there is no "return policy" if it is unsuccessful.
Pro: Multiple Eggs Harvested
If you're hoping to have more than one child via in vitro fertilization, your doctor can freeze your harvested eggs for a later procedure. That means the harvesting portion of the procedure only needs to happen once for as many eggs as can be harvested and frozen for later. This is a big draw for older women who want to harvest eggs while they are still younger, to use when they are older.
Multiple Births
The Georgia Reproductive Specialists Clinic cites a 25 percent chance of conceiving twins, and a 2 to 3 percent chance of triplets. An increase in multiples also causes an increase in birth defects. The mother may also risk abdominal pain, severe nausea, weight gain and other risks of overstimulating the ovaries according to the APA.
