Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is a boon for couples who tend to face fertility issues while embarking on the journey of parenthood. There are many doubts and misconceptions surrounding the field of ART that need to be addressed.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) alleviates the burden of infertility on couples who have been trying to conceive naturally, but have not been successful. Many couples believe in myths regarding ART-related treatments and avoid opting for it. We help you to separate fact from fiction by answering all your queries regarding ART. Read on to know why there is absolutely no harm in seeking a fertility consultant’s advice before planning for a baby.

Myth #1: Meeting A Fertility Expert Is The Last Resort
Fact: Every woman has a fertility career, and it is best to plan pregnancy at an early age. Fertility depends on the egg quality, the number of eggs, sperm quality, uterine polyps and many other factors. Some of these such as low ovarian reserves or low Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) cannot be assessed without specific tests. AMH is a hormone that is secreted by cells in developing egg sacs (follicles). There are no signs or symptoms of low AMH. Taking an AMH test can help to determine the egg reserve and one’s chances of conceiving. All these factors will be missed unless the couples visit a fertility expert and get themselves evaluated holistically. If a couple is planning for a baby or if they are planning not to have a baby and delay the process, they should definitely meet a fertility expert. The expert will be able to assess the situation and make sure that the couple is not losing any opportunity when they decide to plan for pregnancy or delay it. Be assured that you will be provided the best possible solution. A couple will come to know if they should delay pregnancy, plan now or how and when they should be planning.

If a woman reaches a fertility expert at the end of her fertility career then there is not much that a fertility consultant will be able to do, owing to various other factors such as low egg reserve, etc. Hence, a fertility consultation should be a priority right after the marriage.

Myth #2: IVF Is The Last Option To Choose

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Fact: There are different reasons for which a couple may opt for an IVF treatment. For example, the couple will be advised IVF, if the sperm count is low and cannot be improved with the help of medication. Even a recently married couple may need IVF when they plan conception. As helpful as it is, IVF is not magic by which fertility can be assured. It is a process to make sure that the couples scientifically overcome all the obstacles and hurdles and carry a good pregnancy. A consultation with a fertility expert if planned early will definitely give couples better chances of conceiving. Planning for IVF should not be left till all the other options are explored. If IVF is needed, doing it early gives you a better chance of pregnancy rather than doing it later when things will not be conducive owing to advanced age and other factors.

Myth #3: A Woman Needs To Give Enough Time To Herself For Natural Conception Before Planning Fertility Treatment

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Fact: While this stands true for younger women, waiting for nature to take its course is not recommended for women of all age groups. If a woman belongs to a higher age group, getting pregnant is a difficult task. Hence, when a couple decides on fertility, they should also take the age of the woman into consideration. If a woman is on the older side, then the couple should not wait for too long and plan pregnancy under medical guidance. It is imperative for a couple to seek help in a timely manner to ensure the best possible outcome.

Myth #4: Fertility Treatment Or IVF Will Result In Multiple Pregnancies

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Fact: IVF is a process whereby eggs and sperms are fertilised in the laboratory by highly-skilled embryologists to produce embryos. Then, the embryos are implanted in the woman’s womb. The couple along with the doctor can choose how many embryos they wish to transfer and successfully plan for a single pregnancy. It is usually advised to not transfer more than one or two embryos at a time, in order to avoid any further complications with the potential pregnancy. The process of IVF is not at all risky as it is done step-by-step by Doctors to assure a healthy and safe pregnancy.

Myth #5: IVF Pregnancies Cause Abnormal Babies

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Fact: In fact, it’s quite the opposite. The chances of having abnormal children are the same in the overall population which is 1-2%. The risk of abnormality in children is associated with the mother’s age at the time she conceives and not with the type of treatment she has undergone. In IVF, the best sperms and eggs are selected and fertilised, resulting in embryos. Selecting the most competent of the healthy embryo to transfer reduce the chances of abnormalities in babies. Pre-Implantation Genetic Testing (PGT) is a cutting-edge diagnostic technology that involves testing embryos created through in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and then transferring healthy embryos. Hence, a pregnancy will be healthy and as normal as a natural pregnancy if done in the right manner.

To conclude, it is imperative that a couple plan their journey of parenthood and seek advice from a fertility specialist on how to plan and execute it. Reaching out to a fertility specialist should not be the last resort, but in fact, should be the first option to explore for any couple who wants to embark on the journey of parenthood at any given point in time.