For any parent-to-be, every heartbeat, every scan, every fetal movement is deeply cherished, especially so when the journey to parenthood involves IVF. But along with excitement and joy, it’s natural to carry a suitcase of questions. One query that we often hear in our clinic is, “Are IVF babies at a higher risk for anomalies?” In this blog, we will try to answer this, but if you’ve more concerns about IVF pregnancy complications in Pune, then book an appointment with our fetal medicine expert, Dr Tejas Tamhane.
IVF & Anomalies
Ever since its inception, in vitro fertilisation or IVF has helped countless couples achieve their dream of parenthood. Most of these babies are happy and healthy upon birth. However, based on some studies and data currently available, IVF babies may carry a slightly higher risk for certain birth defects compared to those conceived naturally.
IVF Pregnancy Complications in Pune: What Causes Slightly Higher Risk?
But why does this happen? The reasons aren’t very clear, but the slight increase in risk could be due to factors like:
- Underlying reasons for infertility that could be hereditary
- Advanced maternal age (more common in IVF journeys)
- Certain lab techniques, like ICSI, which bypass natural sperm selection
Here’s it’s important to stress – this doesn’t mean your baby will have a problem. It just means that as your fetal medicine specialist, we will have to keep a closer watch.
Importance of Prenatal Scans In IVF Pregnancies
In IVF pregnancies, we pay more attention to early scans. Here’s how we stay ahead:
1. Early Viability Scan (6 TO 7 WEEKS)
This is done to confirm the pregnancy is progressing well, checking for heartbeat and determining the number of embryos implanted.
2. Nuchal Translucency Scan (11 TO 13 WEEKS)
NT Scan looks at the fluid at the back of the baby’s neck and helps in screening for chromosomal anomalies. When done with a blood test, it becomes an accurate early risk assessment tool.
3. Anomaly Scan (18 TO 22 WEEKS)
This is a thorough examination of the baby’s organs from head to toe. We check everything from the brain, spine, to the heart, kidneys and limbs to make sure the little one is growing as expected.
4. Fetal Echocardiography (20 TO 24 WEEKS)
In some IVF pregnancies, especially if there are other risk factors, a fetal echo is recommended to take a closer look at the baby’s heart.
5. Growth and Doppler scan
In cases of multiple gestations like twins, more close monitoring is usually suggested as per guidelines. When two babies have two separate placentas (Dichorionic twins), then follow-up for growth and Doppler scan is suggested every 4 weeks. When the placenta is shared (monochorionic twins), follow-up is suggested every two weeks.
Role of Genetic Counselling
Many couples undergoing IVF choose to do genetic counselling sessions as well, either before treatment or early in pregnancy. This can help:
- Identify inherited conditions
- Decide on advanced screening, like non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
- Or opt for Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-A) before embryo transfer
Impact of Multiple Pregnancies
Twins or triplets are more likely to result from IVF, particularly when several embryos are transplanted. Multiple gestation carries:
-Higher chances of preterm birth
-Increased risk of low birth weight
-And a slight high risk of structural anomalies
IVF Pregnancy Complications in Pune? We’re here to help
Most IVF pregnancies result in completely healthy babies. But if there’s a minor bump along the way, early detection allows for early care, informed decisions and better outcomes.
If you’ve an IVF pregnancy and are concerned about your baby’s well-being, you’re not alone. We’re here to walk beside you through every scan, every question and every beat of your baby’s growing heart. Consult Dr Tejas Tamhane, the best fetal medicine specialist, to know more.
