One of the biggest concerns about using these hormones and IVF in general is the risk of multiple pregnancies. Although we all hear a lot about this, the actual risk can be minimized by controlling the number of eggs submitted for fertilization. Remember, here at Reproductive Endocrinology Associates, we do not freeze embryos so all eggs that fertilize will be transferred. Many clinics will transfer 4,5,6 or even 7 embryos. Their pregnancy rates will probably be quite good but their multiple birth rates are also quite high unless they also do reduction abortions when they have a high order multiple pregnancy. SART (Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology) which is our sanctioning body does not require the reporting of reduction abortions.

Enlargement of the ovaries is common in a treatment cycle and this is especially true after embryo transfer. Ovarian enlargement is occasionally severe enough to require some decrease in activity. You usually will feel bloated and slightly uncomfortable. More serious ovarian enlargement and pain, known as ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, can occur but this is uncommon and is related to the number of eggs formed in the ovary and the estradiol level prior to retrieval. If we feel you have a significant risk of hyperstimulation syndrome, your IVF cycle may be cancelled. This occurs as often as 5% of the time. If your IVF cycle is cancelled, we will go ahead with retrieval and freeze all of the eggs for a later “frozen egg” cycle.

We can never be sure how many follicles/eggs you will make during stimulation. Some people are very resistant to FSH and some are very sensitive. Most women fall in between these extremes. There are no tests that can be done prior to attempted stimulation that will give us an idea where you will fall in this sensitivity spectrum. In general, the younger the woman, the more follicles she will make.

There are no known adverse effects to the infant born of an IVF procedure. There is no increased incidence of birth defects over and above the general population. Although there has been some attention paid to this issue in the press, there is no evidence that the use of fertility medications is associated with any increased risk of ovarian cancer or any other type of cancer for that matter. There may be an increased risk of ovarian and uterine cancer in women who do not ovulate and have very infrequent periods but this increased risk exists whether the woman took infertility medications or not.

http://www.reproductivehope.com/Articles/RisksSideEffectsConcerns.aspx