Factors such as advanced maternal age or a desire for faster results may lead couples to choose in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a fertility treatment. But according to a recent study, about 20 percent of women who undergo IVF may have the potential to conceive naturally in the future.
This groundbreaking research was published in human reproduction, examined data from 11 studies involving more than 5,000 women around the world between 1980 and 2021. It aims to determine how often babies conceived through fertility treatment conceive naturally, medical express report.
The researchers found that at least 20 percent of women who underwent IVF were able to conceive naturally during subsequent pregnancies, with a time frame of up to three years. That number reportedly remained the same even after accounting for different types and outcomes of fertility treatments and other factors such as length of follow-up.
“Our findings suggest that it is not uncommon to conceive naturally after having a child through IVF. This is in stark contrast to views commonly held by women and health professionals, and generally expressed in the media, that are highly unlikely. possible events,” the study’s lead author, Dr Annette Thwaites of the UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health, told news medical.
The researchers wanted to dispel the notion that natural pregnancy after IVF is a rare event. Their research provides compelling evidence that a significant number of women can conceive naturally after undergoing fertility treatment. These findings highlight the need to educate women about natural conception after IVF to prevent unwanted pregnancies and ensure the health and well-being of mother and child.
“Knowing what is possible will allow women to plan their families and make informed choices about further fertility treatment and/or contraception,” Thwaites said.
However, this study has some limitations. Factors such as geography, cause of subfertility, type of fertility treatment and length of follow-up may vary across studies, making direct comparisons challenging, the researchers note.
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Published by Medicaldaily.com