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Seeking reassurance about IVF: 36-year-old school teacher nervous about potential risks

Dr Nandita Palshetkar |51 Answers |Ask -Follow

Gynaecologist, IVF expert - Answered on Dec 16, 2024

Dr Nandita Palshetkar is the medical director of Bloom IVF.
She is a pioneer in ICSI, laser hatching, spindle view, oocyte and embryo freezing, IMSI, in vivo vaginal culture, metabolomics, embryoscope and spindle check technologies.
With over 30 years of experience, Dr Nandita is managing 10 centres across India.
She has written over 100 papers, edited 25 books and given over 1,000 lectures and speeches.
She has also won several prestigious awards, including the Dronacharya Award (2021), the Bharat Gaurav Award at the House of Commons in London (2014) and the Inspiring Gynaecologists of India (2018) to name a few.
Dr Nandita completed her MBBS from Grant Medical College and Sir J J Hospital, Mumbai, and her MD in obstetrics and gynaecology from Mumbai University."... more

Asked by Anonymous - Dec 06, 2024Hindi

My name is Priya, and I’m 36 years old. I work at a school in Pune. My husband and I have recently decided to go ahead with IVF after struggling with unexplained infertility for four years. While I’m hopeful about becoming a mother, I’m also quite nervous about the ovarian stimulation process and the egg retrieval procedure. Could you please explain the potential risks and side effects of these steps? I have read about complications like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. I want to be as informed and prepared as possible before we start this journey. Thank you for your guidance.

Ans: Hello Priya, since you are 36 years, married since 4 years, primary infertility, yes, ivf is a better option.
Many patients have lots of myths regarding ivf treatment. But with modern injections and process of egg retrieval it's not that difficult as it seems to be.
The injections which have to be given for 10 to 12 days are either intramuscular in the muscle) or subcutaneous (just below the skin). Easy to be taken. We get injections in PEN form too like insulin injection which is easy to operate and can be self-injected. The effects of the injections are till the process. It doesn't have long lasting side effects.
The main side effects:
1) nausea vomit
2) breast tenderness
3) bloating
4) headache
5) mood swings and hot flushes
6) fatigue
7) pain after egg retrieval
8) cramping
9) constipation due to progesterone therapy
10) ovarian hyperstimulation
Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) occurs when fertility drugs overstimulate the ovaries, causing them to swell and release chemicals into the bloodstream.
Symptoms:
Severe abdominal pain.
Severe, persistent nausea and vomiting.
Blood clots.
Decreased urination.
Shortness of breath.
Tight or enlarged abdomen.
To consult the doctor if above symptoms to decide if need of hospitalization
So, tat investigations and necessary treatment can be done
But with regular ultrasound and modern injections, ohss is become very rare and treatable

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