IVF safety prioritised for expectant mothers
In vitro fertilization, or IVF, remains one of the most effective fertility treatments available. Success depends on roughly 200 variables, and safety for expectant mothers has become a key concern for clinics and regulators.
The process behind IVF
The world’s first IVF baby, Louise Brown, was born in England in 1978 after a natural cycle, where a single follicle developed without medical intervention. Today, that method is rarely used. Clinics now rely on a stimulated cycle, where fertility drugs prompt the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, improving the odds of pregnancy.
The procedure includes several steps: stimulating the ovaries, triggering egg maturation, retrieving the eggs, fertilizing them with sperm, culturing the embryos, and transferring one into the uterus. Eggs, sperm, and embryos can also be frozen for future use.
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Safety concerns in IVF
Safety extends beyond the procedure itself. Clinics must prevent complications, avoid embryo mix-ups, protect the health of the future child, and reduce risks to medical staff from infectious diseases or hazardous materials.
The most serious risk is ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), a potentially life-threatening condition. It happens when the ovaries overreact to fertility drugs, causing fluid to leak from blood vessels into the abdomen or chest. Severe cases can lead to kidney, liver, or respiratory failure, and in rare instances, death.
Risk factors include being under 35, having polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), high anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels, or more than 20 ovarian follicles. The type of medication used to trigger egg maturation also affects the likelihood of OHSS. While mild cases often resolve without treatment, moderate or severe ones require hospitalization.
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Studies estimate that 2% to 8% of IVF cycles result in moderate OHSS, with severe cases occurring in about 0.1% of patients.
How clinics reduce risks
Many fertility centers now aim to eliminate OHSS entirely. The strategy, called segmentation, involves three key changes: using a short GnRH antagonist protocol for ovarian stimulation, replacing hCG with a GnRH agonist to trigger egg maturation, and freezing all embryos for later transfer.
These changes also make the process more predictable. Freezing embryos allows clinics to schedule transfers when the uterus is most receptive, reducing stress on the body after stimulation.
