IVF pros and cons
From a medical professional’s perspective, what are the IVF pros and cons? Dr Suresh Nair gives us his perspective. Read on for a better understanding of IVF.
IVF Pros
IVF is one of the most efficient methods of fertility treatment. It overcomes quite a number of causes of infertility. When a couple tries to conceive naturally, in women younger than 35 years, the prospect of conception per month is about 22 to 25%. However, IVF can almost double this.
IVF has also become more patient friendly. The treatments are shorter, the injections are literally painless and very easy to use – it comes as an easy-to-use pen called the Gonal F pen. The side effects are far less. Also, the risk of over-reaction i.e. ovarian overstimulation is minimised and very low especially now with modern techniques.
IVF risk
The risk of IVF is overstimulation but this has been made very low by the above innovation. Having too many pregnancies can be a risk and if the babies are delivered too early it is very dangerous and can cause brain damage and a lot of abnormalities in the babies. Now with excellent laboratory advancements, our pregnancy rates are very good and we need only put back one embryo into the womb to grow into one single pregnancy and delivery of a single baby. This is far safer than multiple pregnancies causing premature birth.
IVF cons
The other major disadvantage of IVF is that it is costly and unless there is a lot of subsidy, the laboratory process and medication is expensive. In terms of time away from work, this used to be a major problem but with the current modern treatments, this has been minimised.
Dr Suresh Nair, talks about what are the fertility treatments available, which option has the highest likelihood of success and non-medical things couples can engage in to increase their chances of getting pregnant. More on IVF pros and cons read the Q&A here.
Dr. Suresh Nair is a senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist currently in group private practice in the Gynecology Consultant’s Clinic and Surgery at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre. He is also currently the Medical Director of the Parkway Fertility Centre, the assisted reproductive centre situated in Mount Elizabeth Hospital where about 500 fresh cycles are done per year.
He is also a Visiting Consultant to the National University Hospital, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Changi General Hospital. He had held the post as President of the Obstetrical and Gynaecological Society of Singapore from March 2009 to March 2011.
He has been invited as faculty to lecture and conduct training programmes in assisted reproduction and endoscopic surgery at regional and international meetings, and has contributed to peer-reviewed journals and written chapters in several authoritative books.
He has been a keen teacher and mentor to gynaecologists in Singapore and the region.
He derives great joy and fulfilment in proctoring and guiding those who wish to improve their clinical skills but is ever willing to learn from both his senior and junior colleagues.
