IVF or In Vitro Fertilisation is a process where the egg is fertilised with the sperm in a laboratory, and then reintroduced as an early embryo into the uterus of a woman. It is popular type of an assisted reproductive technology (ART) introduced by Bob Edwards and gynaecologist Patrick Steptoe in 1978 when they assisted the first ever test tube baby to be born. In a short span of time the IVF technique has helped more than 5 million babies to be born and given hope to childless couples to complete families.

However, due to lack of knowledge there are lots of myths surrounding IVF. We have enlisted some common misconceptions with corresponding facts and hope to wipe out the social stigma associated with this procedure and facilitate the process of conceiving a baby.

Myth 1 It is Very Expensive
IVF is a complicated procedure and hence has a marginally higher cost attached in comparison to oral medication. Yet, it is much more affordable than other surgeries and has a considerably high success rate.

Myth 2 IVF is a one shot solution for ALL Infertility Issues
There are several reasons that cause infertility in couples. IVF is just one of the assisted reproductive technologies (ART). There are other procedures like ovulation induction (OI), Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI) which resolve the issues of conceiving.

Myth 3 It works only for Younger Couples
Fertility as a factor is dependent on age. Yet, IVF has broken the age barrier and been successful age for ladies in the post-menopausal group too. In the higher age group, donor eggs from younger females are used. Yet, keeping nature’s law in mind pregnancy rates in older women are lower as compared to younger women.

Myth 4 IVF Always Works
IVF as a process has a success rate of about 40% in couples below the age of 35. Several factors such as age, cause of infertility, biological and hormonal conditions influence the success.

Myth 5 IVF babies are born with Birth Defects and Malformations
Babies born from IVF, although in the normal range, may be a little smaller than those conceived naturally. Fortunately, no scientific data proves problems such as birth defects, low birth weight, and developmental delays in babies is caused through IVF.

Myth 6 You will have Twins, Triplets, or More!
There have been cases of multiple pregnancies in IVF but doctors recommend a single embryo transfer (SET or eSET) – a procedure in which a single embryos is transferred into the uterus to confirm only one child.

Myth 7 Hospitalisation is Compulsory for IVF
IVF is a process that needs few hours of hospital admission during the egg-collection procedure. There is no need for the patient be admitted for many days.

Myth 8 IVF Pregnancies Result In Caesarean Births
Pregnancies caused by IVF are as normal as naturally conceived ones and do no indicate a cesarean section. The choice of delivery depends on the doctor’s recommendations and parent’s elective delivery style. A very normal vaginal delivery is possible following IVF.

Myth 9 IVF is Not Safe
IVF causes normal side effects like nausea, frequent urination, bloating etc. which even oral medication can cause. Overall, it is a safe procedure with only about 2% of patients standing the risk of becoming unwell from ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome. Yet, this can be avoided by choosing the right medical partners for the IVF procedure.

Myth 10 IVF Depletes Ovarian Egg Reserve
At the beginning of each menstrual cycle, a woman’s body recruits a group of eggs that could get stimulated that month. In general only one matures and ovulates while the others die. With IVF, all the eggs that are naturally recruited that month get stimulated and have an opportunity to mature. Nothing happens to all of the other eggs that are in the ovaries for subsequent menstrual cycles. Therefore, there is no chance of eggs getting finished through donation for IVF.

It is World Doctor’s Day on 1st July. How far have we come as a society, in aiding couples yearning to have their own children? When people have a successful bypass or a knee replacement, they proudly discuss it in social platforms. Yet, there is a stigma attached to openly discussing IVF. Statistics prove that only 10% to 20% of IVF patients discuss the desire to conceive a baby through assisted reproductive techniques as the myths and misconceptions around this procedure have clouded minds.