After How Many Weeks IVF Pregnancy Is Safe
A positive pregnancy test result marks a successful and effective IVF treatment for most patients. It’s a source of paramount joy and celebration as couples prepare to welcome a child into their lives.
However, a positive test result doesn’t guarantee an infant’s safe development and delivery. In many cases, IVF pregnancies encounter unexpected complications and end in miscarriage.
This causes expectant couples to worry and wonder after how many weeks IVF pregnancy is safe. If you have the same question, this guide is for you!
Read on as we discuss when an IVF pregnancy is considered safe, as well as the risks and success rates for this treatment. We’ll also cover influencing factors and ideal candidates for IVF. Let’s begin!
What Is In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure wherein a man’s sperm and a woman’s egg are fertilized outside the body. This process can be performed using a couple’s own reproductive cells or donated cells from an anonymous or known donor.
IVF is one of the most popular and effective forms of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). This technology allows patients with infertility issues or genetic problems to conceive a child safely and successfully.
Over 9 million babies worldwide have been born using various ART procedures, such as IVF. In the United States, 489 fertility clinics performed ART procedures in the year 2019.
The average cost of one IVF cycle is around $15,000 to $30,000. This figure can vary depending on the fertility clinic and the patient’s medication needs.
In addition to the high costs, IVF treatments can be time-consuming, invasive, and emotionally challenging as well.
Who Are Ideal Candidates for IVF?
Generally, IVF is recommended for women older than 40 who want to conceive a child. This procedure also applies to couples who have been unsuccessful with other methods, such as fertility drugs and intrauterine insemination.
Additionally, IVF can be a suitable treatment for patients experiencing various infertility disorders. This includes men with irregularly shaped sperm, low sperm counts, or other infertility conditions.
Women who have irregular ovulation cycles, blocked fallopian tubes, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) can benefit from IVF as well. Patients with genetic conditions and individuals who want to use frozen sperm or eggs are other ideal candidates for this procedure.
IVF is also an option for couples who have the following health conditions:
- Endometriosis
- Unexplained infertility
- Uterine fibroids
- Previous tubal removal or sterilization
Is IVF Safe?
IVF is a highly safe medical procedure. However, this treatment involves several potential risks and side effects that are worth considering.
Birth defects, ectopic pregnancy, and egg-retrieval complications are among the major risks accompanied with an IVF procedure. IVF also increases the chances of multiple births if the transfer involves more than one embryo.
Other IVF risks include premature delivery, miscarriage, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, and low birth weight.
After the IVF procedure, patients may experience several side effects, such as:
- Abdominal pain
- Mild bloating
- Headaches
- Mild cramping
- Constipation
After How Many Weeks IVF Pregnancy Is Safe
Generally, an IVF pregnancy is considered safe after a period of 10–15 weeks. Most IVF patients feel comfortable sharing the news of their pregnancy at around 12 weeks.
That’s because around 80% of miscarriages occur during the first trimester (0–12 weeks). After this time frame, the risk decreases to 5%.
You can confirm a safe IVF pregnancy by consulting your doctor and scheduling an ultrasound scan.
It’s worth mentioning that IVF treatments can fail due to abnormal reproductive cells or challenges during embryo transfer. Unsuccessful couples can restart the procedure after a full menstrual cycle, which lasts about four to 6 weeks.
How Likely Is a Successful IVF?
IVF is one of the most widely applied and effective fertility treatments offered by reproductive health clinics globally. For women younger than 35, the national average IVF success rate is 51%.
However, a successful IVF treatment isn’t guaranteed for all patients. The following factors greatly affect the success of an IVF:
Age
Maternal age has a major impact on the result of an IVF treatment. Aging women tend to have a lower quantity of eggs, which decreases the odds of a successful procedure.
Additionally, youthful eggs have better quality and health. Younger women’s eggs have a higher probability of normal genetics, while aging women’s eggs have a higher risk of health conditions.
The following data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology shows women’s IVF success rates based on age:
- Ages below 35: 51%
- Ages 35 to 37: 38.3%
- Ages 38 to 40: 25.1%
- Ages 41 to 42: 12.7%
- Older than 42: 4.1%
The figures involved are for singleton births in 2019 of women using their own eggs.
Embryo Quality
Embryo quality is another strong predictor of IVF treatment effectiveness. Poor-quality embryos can still result in a successful pregnancy but often involve lower live birth rates.
Compared to a poor-quality embryo, the rates of live births per transfer of a good-quality embryo are almost twice as high. On the other hand, embryos with abnormalities are one of the major causes of miscarriage.
Pregnancy History
Your history of previous pregnancies or miscarriages can impact IVF success as well. If you’ve previously given birth, you have a higher chance of getting pregnant via IVF.
Meanwhile, having several miscarriages and other pregnancy issues in the past can decrease the chances of an effective treatment.
Fertility Conditions
The success of an IVF treatment also depends on the type of fertility issues you’re experiencing. Certain conditions, such as ovarian dysfunction and fibroid tumors, can make conception more difficult.
Lifestyle
Living a healthy lifestyle increases the likelihood of IVF’s success. A balanced diet, in combination with the right vitamins and supplements, can create an ideal environment for the embryo.
Weight and body mass index impact the chances of conceiving as well.
Meanwhile, smoking, alcohol use, and environmental pollutants can have a negative effect on IVF’s triumph. In fact, female smokers have 30% lower pregnancy rates than IVF patients who are non-smokers.
How Long Is an IVF Cycle?
IVF is a complex cycle that involves many steps. One full cycle of IVF can last around 2–6 weeks.
That said, women who are unsuccessful with their first IVF cycle still have a good chance of conceiving on their succeeding cycles.
One study showed that for patients’ first IVF cycle, the success rate was 33%. However, by their eighth cycle, the success rate increased to 54–77%.
How Long After IVF Should You Wait Before Taking a Pregnancy Test?
Fertility clinics recommend waiting for at least two weeks after the embryo transfer before you take a pregnancy test. Depending on your fertility clinic, you’ll either take a regular urine pregnancy test at home or a blood test at the clinic.
Taking a test too early after your embryo transfer is highly discouraged for all IVF patients. That’s because there’s a risk of getting a false positive pregnancy result.
One of the drugs used during fertility treatment is a hormone called hCG. An early pregnancy test might pick up this hormone and provide an inaccurate result.
What Happens After the IVF Procedure?
The IVF treatment doesn’t stop after you get a positive result from the pregnancy test. Depending on your individual needs, your doctor may continue progesterone hormone treatment.
Additionally, your doctor will keep monitoring your hormone levels through blood tests to ensure a healthy pregnancy. The clinic will also conduct ultrasound scans to consistently check the status of the baby.
After about 10–12 weeks, your fertility doctor will usually transfer you under the care of a regular obstetrician and gynecologist.
FAQs
Is pregnancy after IVF considered high-risk?
Pregnancies that take place after infertility treatments, such as IVF, are considered high-risk. This is due to the increased likelihood of complications, premature births, and intrauterine deaths involved.
Conditions such as preeclampsia, bleeding, and high blood pressure are also prevalent in these types of pregnancies. Additionally, the rates of induced labor and cesarean delivery are higher among women in the IVF group.
How can I stay pregnant after IVF?
To ensure that your IVF pregnancy remains safe, continue to visit your doctor and fertility specialist. Immediately report any unusual symptoms that you experience.
What’s more, pay attention to your diet and reach out to friends and family to receive enough emotional support. Maintain an overall healthy lifestyle and avoid excessive stress.
Wrapping Up
Successful fertility treatments can cause both celebration and concern for most expectant couples. In addition to joy and gratitude, an IVF pregnancy also comes with the fear of losing a child and worries about the infant’s condition.
Hopefully, this guide has cleared your doubts regarding IVF safety and after how many weeks IVF pregnancy is safe. To ensure the well-being of your baby, visit your doctor often and report any unusual pregnancy symptoms.
Remember, the right diet and an active lifestyle significantly impact an infant’s growth and development in the womb. Keeping yourself happy and well-nourished is the key to a successful IVF pregnancy and delivery. Good luck!
My name is Louise and I am the Digital Marketing and Administrative Assistant at MyBump2Baby. I have been writing in the parenting niche for over 2 years specialising in fertility, pregnancy, baby and baby name support articles.