Return to Search
EN
Here are common misconceptions and facts about In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment:
1. IVF is a method resorted to only in cases of infertility.
This is not accurate. IVF treatment can be the first, and sometimes the only, option for couples to have a healthy child in specific situations such as azoospermia, consanguineous marriage, or genetic disease carriers. In such cases, IVF is crucial for the baby's health.
2. Anyone can undergo IVF treatment at any time.
There are specific eligibility criteria for IVF treatment. Requirements include the couple being married, the woman having sufficient ovarian reserve, and the man having an adequate sperm count. The notion that treatment can be applied at any age and under any circumstances, despite declines in egg and sperm quality in advanced age, is misleading.
3. IVF treatment is a painful and agonizing procedure.
IVF treatment is generally not a painful or agonizing process. Procedures like embryo transfer typically do not require anesthesia. During this treatment, which lasts approximately 15-20 days, patients can continue their daily lives and do not experience significant restrictions.
4. Pregnancy cannot be achieved on the first attempt in IVF treatment.
Each IVF attempt has its unique chance of success. It is possible to achieve pregnancy on the first attempt. If pregnancy does not occur on the first try, necessary evaluations are made, and measures are taken to increase the chances of success in subsequent attempts. In fact, second and third attempts may even have higher success rates.
5. Medications used in IVF treatment cause weight gain.
Medications used in IVF treatment do not directly cause weight gain or disrupt hormonal balance. Some individuals may experience temporary side effects such as increased appetite or mild edema.
6. IVF treatment is only performed for couples who cannot conceive naturally.
IVF treatment is also an important option for couples at risk of genetic disease who wish to have a healthy baby. In such cases, embryos can be examined using Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) before transfer to the womb, preventing the transmission of genetic diseases to the baby.
7. Bed rest for 9 months is mandatory after IVF treatment.
Pregnancies achieved through IVF are no different from naturally conceived pregnancies. If a risky situation arises during pregnancy, necessary precautions are taken, just as in natural pregnancies. However, these risks are not exclusive to IVF treatment, and bed rest is generally not required after treatment.
8. IVF treatment inevitably results in multiple pregnancies.
While multiple embryo transfers were more common in the past, modern techniques and regulations (e.g., single embryo transfer for women under 35) have significantly reduced the rates of multiple pregnancies. Even with the transfer of two embryos, the rate of multiple pregnancy is approximately 30%. Therefore, IVF treatments usually result in singleton pregnancies.
9. IVF treatment medications cause cancer.
Extensive research and long-term follow-up studies conducted on IVF treatment and the medications used since 1975 have found no scientific evidence that these drugs cause cancer. The general increase in cancer cases among both women and men today is a phenomenon independent of IVF treatment.
10. IVF treatment is an excessively expensive method.
IVF treatment is one of today's relatively short and patient-friendly treatment methods. Medication usage is also at a certain level. If a couple's condition is suitable for IVF treatment, evaluating it at an early stage, rather than losing time with alternative and potentially unsuccessful treatments, may be more economical in the long run.
11. Women who conceive with IVF cannot have a vaginal birth.
IVF treatment is only a method to achieve pregnancy; it does not affect the mode of delivery. The physician monitoring the pregnancy, in consultation with the couple, determines the most suitable delivery method (vaginal or C-section) for the health of the mother and the baby, just as in natural pregnancies.
What are the common misconceptions about In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Treatment?
1. IVF is a method resorted to only in cases of infertility.
This is not accurate. IVF treatment can be the first, and sometimes the only, option for couples to have a healthy child in specific situations such as azoospermia, consanguineous marriage, or genetic disease carriers. In such cases, IVF is crucial for the baby's health.
2. Anyone can undergo IVF treatment at any time.
There are specific eligibility criteria for IVF treatment. Requirements include the couple being married, the woman having sufficient ovarian reserve, and the man having an adequate sperm count. The notion that treatment can be applied at any age and under any circumstances, despite declines in egg and sperm quality in advanced age, is misleading.
3. IVF treatment is a painful and agonizing procedure.
IVF treatment is generally not a painful or agonizing process. Procedures like embryo transfer typically do not require anesthesia. During this treatment, which lasts approximately 15-20 days, patients can continue their daily lives and do not experience significant restrictions.
4. Pregnancy cannot be achieved on the first attempt in IVF treatment.
Each IVF attempt has its unique chance of success. It is possible to achieve pregnancy on the first attempt. If pregnancy does not occur on the first try, necessary evaluations are made, and measures are taken to increase the chances of success in subsequent attempts. In fact, second and third attempts may even have higher success rates.
5. Medications used in IVF treatment cause weight gain.
Medications used in IVF treatment do not directly cause weight gain or disrupt hormonal balance. Some individuals may experience temporary side effects such as increased appetite or mild edema.
6. IVF treatment is only performed for couples who cannot conceive naturally.
IVF treatment is also an important option for couples at risk of genetic disease who wish to have a healthy baby. In such cases, embryos can be examined using Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) before transfer to the womb, preventing the transmission of genetic diseases to the baby.
7. Bed rest for 9 months is mandatory after IVF treatment.
Pregnancies achieved through IVF are no different from naturally conceived pregnancies. If a risky situation arises during pregnancy, necessary precautions are taken, just as in natural pregnancies. However, these risks are not exclusive to IVF treatment, and bed rest is generally not required after treatment.
8. IVF treatment inevitably results in multiple pregnancies.
While multiple embryo transfers were more common in the past, modern techniques and regulations (e.g., single embryo transfer for women under 35) have significantly reduced the rates of multiple pregnancies. Even with the transfer of two embryos, the rate of multiple pregnancy is approximately 30%. Therefore, IVF treatments usually result in singleton pregnancies.
9. IVF treatment medications cause cancer.
Extensive research and long-term follow-up studies conducted on IVF treatment and the medications used since 1975 have found no scientific evidence that these drugs cause cancer. The general increase in cancer cases among both women and men today is a phenomenon independent of IVF treatment.
10. IVF treatment is an excessively expensive method.
IVF treatment is one of today's relatively short and patient-friendly treatment methods. Medication usage is also at a certain level. If a couple's condition is suitable for IVF treatment, evaluating it at an early stage, rather than losing time with alternative and potentially unsuccessful treatments, may be more economical in the long run.
11. Women who conceive with IVF cannot have a vaginal birth.
IVF treatment is only a method to achieve pregnancy; it does not affect the mode of delivery. The physician monitoring the pregnancy, in consultation with the couple, determines the most suitable delivery method (vaginal or C-section) for the health of the mother and the baby, just as in natural pregnancies.