Understand Side Effects of IVF Treatment

The journey of IVF is a blend of hope, excitement, and a lot of uncertainties. For many couples, it’s a path to take when they are trying to start a family, and while it can be incredibly rewarding, there are challenges to it too. The side effects you will experience during the process are one of the most important things you need to be aware of. More than 1% of IVF patients experience OHS, while on the other hand, 0.05% experience bleeding during oocyte collection, and the number of side effects associated goes on. In this article, we will walk through the stages of IVF, what to expect, and how to navigate this emotional roller coaster.

• Ovarian Stimulation

Ovarian stimulation is the first step of the IVF journey and involves hormone injections that encourage your ovaries to produce several eggs. The phase usually lasts 8 to 14 days.

 

What to Expect

• Bloating and discomfort: You might get bloated or have some mild pain as your ovaries produce more follicles. This is a common side effect but not pleasant.
• Mood Swings: Your hormones can play tricks with your emotions, and it can feel like you’re on a wild emotional ride. You’re happy one moment and teary eyed the next.
• Headaches: Another annoyance some women report during this phase is headaches.

 

How to Cope

Drink plenty of fluids and aim to eat healthily. Walking or doing yoga can help relieve discomfort, but gentle exercises. When things get too tough, don’t be afraid to call your healthcare provider.

• Egg Retrieval

Once your eggs are ready, it’s time for the egg retrieval procedure, which is typically done under sedation.

 

What to Expect

Cramping: You’ll feel some cramping after the procedure as your body begins to recover.

Spotting: You may see a little light bleeding or spotting, but that's nothing to worry about.

 

How to Cope

If you have cramps, you can use a heating pad to ease the pain, and if you see anything that is suspicious—heavy bleeding, strong pain—don't be afraid to call your doctor.

• Fertilization and Embryo Culture

Then, your eggs are fertilized. And if all goes well, over the next few days your embryos will start to develop.

 

What to Expect

• Emotional Stress: The waiting game is one of the hardest. When you wait for updates on how your embryos are doing, you can feel anxious or stressed.
• Physical Fatigue: This emotional toll isn’t unusual, and you can feel drained.

 

How to Cope

Do things that make you feel good—things like meditating, reading, or spending time with loved ones—that are a form of self-care. This is a time when you don’t have to hesitate to lean on your support system.

• Embryo Transfer

One or more of your embryos will be transferred into your uterus when they are ready. It’s a pretty straightforward procedure, though it can still feel nerve-wracking.

 

What to Expect

• Mild Cramping: The embryo settling in can cause you to experience some light cramping.
• Spotting: You may also have a bit of light spotting.

 

• Two Week Wait

The two-week wait can be an eternity. It’s the time when you are waiting to see if the treatment worked or not.

 

What to Expect

• Anxiety and Uncertainty: You’re bound to be anxious and think to yourself if everything went as expected.
• Physical Symptoms: Sometimes you will experience symptoms like bloating or breast tenderness due to hormonal changes.

 

How to Cope

Do things you like to keep yourself busy. 

• Pregnancy Test and Aftermath

And finally, you await the results of your pregnancy test. It can yield a mixture of emotions, such as joy or heartbreak, depending on the result.

 

What to Expect

• Emotional Reactions: Regardless of what happens, it’s completely okay to feel overwhelmed. Let those feelings wash over you.
• Physical Symptoms: If you’re pregnant, you might notice early pregnancy symptoms like nausea or fatigue.

Conclusion

The journey of IVF is actually challenging and filled with a lot of different emotions and physical changes. By understanding the side effects that you can encounter at each stage, you can better prepare yourself for the final treatment. 

If you have any questions or need help, we are here for you at Maaeri.