The Indian ART law allows in vitro fertilization for women up to the age of 50 and although it is advisable to try to get pregnant at an earlier age, it may not always be possible in the current era because of women’s age. There may be other commitments as well. With advancements in medical technologies, health and fertility experts say IVF has become a boon for older women to help them conceive. Additionally, as our knowledge and skills in obstetrics improve, doctors may adopt a more evidence-based approach to the management of pregnant women of older maternal age.
In an interview with HT Lifestyle on Mother’s Day 2024, Dr Arunima Halder, IVF and Reproductive Medicine Consultant at Manipal Hospital, Whitefield and Varthur, shared that any woman trying to get pregnant above the age of 35 should face more maternal and Is considered to be a woman of age and is busted. The following myths stating the facts –
Myth 1: It is difficult to conceive as you get older.
fact: Although this is not completely wrong, results often vary from person to person. The decline in pregnancy rates is due to decreased quality and quantity of eggs and asynchronous cycles. There is a good chance that pregnancy can still occur naturally, especially in younger women. A doctor can help these patients by understanding their cycles using ultrasound and modifying them slightly to correct small abnormalities in the cycle. However, a quick decision to undergo IVF may be necessary because egg quality and quantity are continually declining and these patients usually have less time left.
Myth 2: IVF fails more often.
fact: In older women, it is the quality and quantity of eggs that are affected, not the uterus or endometrium. If IVF often fails, it is because of the quality of the egg or abnormal chromosomes in the egg, leading to the development of an embryo that is not sustainable for life. Thus, preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos is performed in these women with advanced maternal age to identify compatible embryos and transfer them to the uterus. Donor eggs are a possibility for those who do not have self-eggs available or are not able to conceive despite using self-eggs in IVF. Donor eggs have just as good a chance of pregnancy as younger women. Egg freezing is another viable option commonly used by women who opt for late pregnancy.
Myth 3: Pregnancy is harmful for older women.
fact: This is not completely wrong; However, not everyone has problems with pregnancy. Common problems include preeclampsia, diabetes, increased risk of cesarean, and premature delivery. Risk assessment before conception and in early pregnancy, careful monitoring and adequate rest during pregnancy can help the doctor and the woman identify problems early.
Myth 4: Pregnancy is bad for the baby.
fact: Selecting the right embryo by PGS is important for a genetically healthy child, as mentioned earlier. With increasing maternal age and higher incidence of preeclampsia and diabetes, this may hamper the intrauterine growth of the baby. Proper care and rest should be taken during pregnancy, which can benefit these women. Not every woman has these complications. However, older women are more likely to have these complications during pregnancy.
Bringing her expertise, Dr. Ila Gupta, Clinical Director and Senior Consultant Reproductive Medicine, Fertility IVF and Fertility Clinic, New Delhi, reveals, “Recent improvements in reproductive technology have made motherhood possible for women of all ages. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). However, this new technology has improved the chances of live birth rates, especially when it comes to older women who choose IVF. Therefore, some common myths about IVF in older women need to be dispelled. He explained in detail-
1. Myth: Older women should avoid IVF due to increased risk of birth defects
reality: Although aging can reduce a woman’s fertility and increase the risk of complications, IVF procedures are performed along with procedures like PGTA to screen for genetically healthy embryos, thereby reducing the chance of birth defects. Is. It is important to remember that a mother’s increasing age does not mean that her baby will have problems if the right safety measures are taken. IVF also offers other options, such as freezing your own eggs at the right age for later use to avoid abnormalities. If your egg quality is not good or you have gone into menopause, you can try IVF with donor eggs to increase your chances of having a healthy baby.
2. Myth: IVF always results in multiple pregnancies
reality: IVF protocols have changed over the years, making it easier to control precisely how many embryos are to be transferred. Transferring a single blastocyst reduces the risk of having multiple pregnancies. This makes the pregnancy safe for both the mother and the baby.
3. Myth: IVF guarantees pregnancy success
reality: The success rate of IVF depends on many things, such as age, quality, number of embryos, and treatment plan. IVF has helped many women get pregnant, but it is important to know that some additional procedures are often required to improve the chances of success, especially in older women. Improvements in technology and personalized treatment plans have improved success rates for older women as well.
4. Myth: Older women cannot carry a pregnancy to term.
reality: Although getting older can make things harder during pregnancy as the risk of high blood pressure and gestational diabetes increases, that doesn’t have to stop older women from attempting IVF. Many older women can safely carry their pregnancy to term with the right medical care and supervision. When deciding on IVF, it is important to have accurate information and reasonable expectations. By talking to a fertility specialist, you can get personalized information about the risks and benefits of IVF treatment based on your specific situation.
It’s important to bust the myths about IVF in older women Even though age can affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant, IVF is still a good option for older women who want to become mothers, technology And thanks to advances in personalized protocols. Remember that information is power and women can make better decisions about their reproductive health when they know all the facts.
