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Advantages & Disadvantages of In Vitro Fertilization

Infertility is a common, but devastating problem that affects both men and women. According the Department of Health and Human Services, in the United States, 10 percent of women of child-bearing age have a difficult time conceiving or staying pregnant. When these difficulties arise in women who have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, in-vitro fertilization can be a solution.



As with any infertility treatment, there are advantages and disadvantages of in-vitro fertilization.

  1. Ability to Conceive

    • The most obvious advantage of in-vitro fertilization is that is allows women who may not normally be able to conceive to get pregnant. Although this treatment option is not perfect, the success rate of in-vitro fertilization is about 25 percent as of 2010.

    No Long-term Effects

    • Children who are born via in-vitro fertilization suffer no long-term effects. This is encouraging to parents who have had difficulty conceiving, but worry about how in-vitro fertilization may affect the fetus.

    Drug Treatment Effects

    • Women undergoing in-vitro fertilization treatment undergo hormone therapy and drug treatments. There are side effects to these treatments, some of which may require a hospital stay. Talk to your doctor for more information about these risks.

    Ectopic Pregnancy

    • In-vitro fertilization presents a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy. This type of pregnancy can result in death if untreated. It occurs when an embryo becomes implanted in the fallopian tubes or abdominal cavity.

    Multiple Pregnancies

    • During an in-vitro procedure, multiple embryos are implanted into the mother's uterus. This increases the chances that the procedure will result in a multiples pregnancy. Though considered a blessing by some, a multiples pregnancy increases the risk of miscarriage and premature birth.

    Cost

    • In-vitro fertilization can be expensive. The average cost of a procedure is more than $12,000, and its success is not guaranteed. While many couples consider this a small price to pay to conceive a child, the cost of the procedure may discourage or prohibit others from this option.

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