At this point we would like to remind you that in a healthy couple, the pregnancy rate is no higher than 20 to 30 per cent per menstrual cycle.
The reasons may be that ovulation does not take place, or it does take place, but the egg is not fully matured. Furthermore, we know today that many pregnancies end early, even before they are noticed. The reason lies in the complicated mechanisms involved in the creation of new life. Sometimes there are disorders during the first divisions of the fertilised egg, or it cannot implant itself in the endometrium.
Depending on the seriousness of the fertility disorder and the age of the woman, we therefore recommend the transfer of two to three fertilised eggs per transfer. Therefore we always induce several follicles to grow through hormonal stimulation. This increases your chances of becoming pregnant.
Hormonal stimulation may lead to a considerable hyperfunction
of the ovaries. This is called ovarian hyperstimulation
syndrome (OHSS). Fluid may collect in the abdominal
cavity leading to abdominal pain. If the abdominal pain gets
worse, you should definitely come into our office. In very rare
cases a hospital stay may be necessary for better monitoring
and treatment. Regular control of the therapy may reduce
the risk of OHSS to 1 to 2%. This requires your active
cooperation by painstakingly complying with the prescribed
check-up dates.
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Ovarielles Hyperstimulationssyndrom (OHSS)
Good to know: according to currently available information, the injected hormones do not contain any danger of increasing the risk of cancer.
Since up to three fertilised eggs are transferred
in in vitro
fertilisation, the likelihood of a multiple pregnancy is increased.
In 20 to 25% twins are born; approx. 3% of the IVF
cycles lead to the birth of triplets.
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Embryotransfer
As in all pregnancies, fallopian tube pregnancies may occur even after IVF treatment. The reason is that embryos can move around. Therefore, even if they were implanted in the uterus, they can implant themselves in the fallopian tube. However, if this is controlled regularly, it can be recognised early and treated immediately.
About 10 to 12% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage. Invitro fertilisation this risk is slightly increased, at 15%. The reason is the higher average age of the IVF-pregnant women compared to ‘normal’ pregnant women: the risk of miscarriage increases with age.
Today’s research indicates that the deformity rate is not increased when ICSI technology is applied. However, it must be noted that a risk increase for hereditary disorders or diseases is possible because of the couple’s own chromosomes. It was recently discovered that in 3 – 5% of men with serious fertility disorders this is caused by certain hereditary factors. When these men get a child with the help of ICSI, there is the possibility that male offspring will also have fertility disorders but otherwise be healthy.
Furthermore, we know that 1 – 2% of infertile men also have a gene for a serious metabolic disorder, cystic fi brosis. Depending on the partner’s genetic disposition, such a couple bears a certain risk for a child conceived through ICSI also having this gene. For this reason it is best to undergo genetic consultation before this measure is taken and – if anything conspicuous turns up – to check the chromosomes so this rare likelihood can be excluded.
The general rule, however, is that for most couples who want to resort to ICSI there are no genetic reasons for the fertility disorder and that therefore, as far as we know today, there is no increased risk.
In simple hormonal stimulation in connection with insemination, the chances for a pregnancy are between 15 and 20% per menstrual cycle. As mentioned at the beginning, after several treatment cycles a pregnancy can be achieved in about 70% of couples. However, you must keep in mind that with this method only slight forms of fertility disorder can be treated, which therefore have a greater chance of success.
In in vitro fertilisation, the chances of a pregnancy are about 25%, i.e. about one in four transfers leads to a pregnancy. At 30%, the pregnancy rate after ICSI is even slightly higher than after IVF. There are two possible explanations for this. One the one hand, women choosing this method because of a fertility disorder in the man are on average slightly younger than women choosing IVF. On the other hand, the ICSI method increases the chances of fertilisation of the eggs.
The likelihood that treatment leads to pregnancy can be increased by several treatment cycles: after four treatment cycles the chances for a pregnancy – we call this cumulative pregnancy rate – is about 70 to 75%.