 Side Effects Of The Drugs : |
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| Side effects from the drugs themselves tend to be minor, although some patients have reported mood changes, tiredness and muscle aching. Rarely, allergic reactions have been reported. |
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| Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) : |
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| This is the condition which may occur in approximately 5% of women using fertility drugs for ovarian stimulation. Excessive numbers of follicles are produced. It is more commonly seen in younger women, and those who have polycystic ovaries. |
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| Symptoms of OHSS include lower abdominal pain, and swelling of the abdomen associated sometimes with nausea or vomiting. Women at risk of developing OHSS are advised to stop drugs whilst continuing with Gn RH analogue (coasting). We then monitor the levels of oestrogen until it drops to an appropriate levels, then egg collection is arranged Rarely we may recommend cancellation of the cycle or freeze all available embryos for future use. For any symptom however mild, please contact the clinic immediately. |
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| Multiple Pregnancy : |
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| As more than one embryo is usually transferred, there is an increased risk of multiple pregnancy. |
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| The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act stipulates that no more than three embryos may be transferred in a single cycle. The number of embryos transferred at this clinic will be individualised, certain factors such as the woman's age, previous pregnancies, the number of previous unsuccessful IVF attempts, the length of infertility and the quality and number of embryos created will be taken into consideration. Risks and implications of multiple births will be discussed; these include prematurity and the associated mortality and morbidity rates. |
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