Medical science and technological advancements are continiously surprising people all over the world from all walks of life. When we talk about the field of medicines, the discoveries made by science have not only left people stunned over time but have also proven to be miracles in some cases.
As the lifestyle of people is witnessing massive changes, becoming a mother has become quite a task now owing to sedentary habits. Many women are unable to conceive and miscarriages are becoming more common than usual.
In-vitro fertilization or IVF is one technique that is proving to be a boon for couples who have lost all hopes of becoming parents. Who would have thought earlier that this method would give a new life to such couples? The technique has become so much popular that even a Bollywood movie was also made on this concept to make people aware of such a process. IVF or In-Vitro Fertilization is considered to be a blessing in disguise for couples as the advanced technology can help couples who have infertility issues. Furthermore, the technique is considered to be safe and it is quite accessible as well.
Additionally, the technique has a promising 50% average success rate and it bound to get better over time, owing to the rapid growth happening in its technology.
In-vitro fertilization or IVF is considered to be both safe as well as an efficient method to help with infertility or prevent genetic problems. In a way, it also aids in the conception of a child. However, at times, there are chances that this advanced treatment can fail and the couples can be disheartened for sure. Also, we already are aware that pregnancy is quite a complex process and it is difficult to ascertain the exact reason behind the IVF failure thus, couples who have undergone IVF failure can assess the reason behind the failure and give it another try.
In this Article
Some of the reasons for failed IVF
Couples who are eagerly wanting to become parents and opting this IVF technique can go through the reasons behind the failed IVF which have been mentioned below.
Embryo quality
First and foremost, the quality of the embryo is considered to be the most vital factor for successful implantation. An embryo that is genetically faulty gets eradicated naturally and it thereby leads to miscarriage or IVF failure. However, the abnormalities can be well identified through advanced genetic testing on embryos which, in turn, may aid in improved embryo selection and thereby lead to a higher implantation rate. Furthermore, the rate of cell division, cell stage and other parameters are used to test the quality of the embryo. The embryo which is normal will ultimately lead to pregnancy and the treatment will fail if the situation is vice versa. Also, one cannot check the morphological grading of the embryo and for this purpose, a specialized test is needed.
Age & Egg quality
The ovarian reserve of a woman tends to decline after the late 30s. Thus, as soon as a woman hits late 30s, the quality of the egg begins to deteriorate and a sharp decline is witnessed after 38 years of age. Moreover, women are born with all the eggs that they will ever have and thus the egg number declines as old age nears. Men, on the other hand, can produce newIt must be noted that the rate of decline is different for different women. Along with the dip in numbers, there is also a deterioration in the egg’s quality and thus there is a rise in the risk of genetic abnormalities and which further leads to a rise in abortions after the age of 35. With this, the fertility rate can decline and so does the chance of pregnancy. When we talk about the egg quality, we are referring to the genetic makeup of the egg and there is a breakdown of genetic material of the egg as one grows older. It is thus evident that women who are older will have more genetically abnormal eggs and the chances of miscarriage and failure of implantation may also rise.
Low sperm quality
Implantation failure can also be caused due to major sperm abnormalities. There are lower chances of embryo formation owing to poor semen parameters. Thus, men who have lower semen parameters can resort to advanced techniques like ICSI.
Health and lifestyle factors
In order to make the treatment successful, it is necessary for both partners to adopt a healthy lifestyle. The consequence of the treatment may turn out to be in the couple’s favour if none of the partners consumes alcohol or cigarettes. Furthermore, other lifestyle issues like diabetes, heart problems, and obesity among others can affect the treatment’s success.
Apart from all these, certain other factors which lead to IVF treatment failure may include certain problems while retrieving the eggs and successfully transferring the embryos to the uterus. During the transfer, the embryo must be placed at the right location and this is something which must be done in a correct way. Furthermore, couples who are trying to adopt this technique must pay a visit to a clinic which has a good IVF history and also remain in constant touch with the specialist.
What are the symptoms of IVF failure?
Couples who are trying to become parents through the IVF technique may face disappointment as at times, this technique also witnesses failures and it becomes quite difficult for the couples to handle the emotional roller coaster rides after the failure. While some couples are lucky enough in the very first attempt, others may face failed treatment one after the other. One can easily determine IVF implantation failure through the absence of any changes like losing tendency to smell, vaginal discharges, slight abdominal cramping, among others. If these symptoms don’t pop up after a couple of weeks of treatment, there are chances that the implantation has failed. However, one must always consult the doctor from time to time to get a clearer picture of reality rather than ascertaining things on their own.
How to reduce IVF failure risk?
Listed below are a few methods through which chances of conceiving through IVF always increases.
Having a balanced diet
The right amount of calories, macro and micronutrients can work wonders during these testing times as there is nothing mentioned as a ‘fertility diet’. A balanced diet ensures all the important nutrients that are required for a healthy pregnancy are consumed. Furthermore, avoiding packed or processed foods can be a plus point. Avoiding food rich in high sugar content can also be helpful and increasing consumption of antioxidants like tomatoes, nuts may prove fruitful.
Physical exercises
-For a higher success rate, resorting to physical exercise may also help but heavy work-out sessions are something which must be avoided during this crucial period. Being obese or underweight can also lower the chances of IVF’s success. Thus, one who is obese must reduce some weight 3 months prior to IVF treatment.
Get your Antibodies checked
In case one has a history of miscarriages, getting antibodies checked is also important. Also, genetic screening of the couple is required if the patient is having multiple miscarriages/failures.
Stay away from alcohol
Avoid alcohol, tobacco, and recreational drugs and also prefer not to smoke as addictions may lead to failure of the treatment. If all these things are avoided, the health of both parents and child can be well maintained.
Say goodbye to stress!
Stresing at times may give negative outcomes so there’s no point in stressing over the process as it may get disrupted. Thus, yoga and meditation can act as a boon during these challenging times. They can definitely prepare the mind for a healthy pregnancy.
Give proper rest to your body
The mother should follow a proper sleep cycle and get enough sleep for 7-8 hours a day. Proper sleep is vital for a healthy pregnancy thus sleeping patterns must be improved.
Conclusion
All these processes, if followed, can turn out to make your IVF journey fruitful. One needs to have patience throughout the journey and not lose hope after one IVF failure. Although it can be mentally, emotionally and physically draining for both partners, however, one must never lose hope and always take up challenges as they make us stronger. Keeping in touch and following the advice of doctors and specialists is important. Also, before taking up the IVF journey, it is advisable to consult a specialist for proper information.
