The one question that has deterred many couples from undergoing IVF is, “Is IVF pregnancy the same as normal pregnancy?”
Even if many people don’t understand what exactly happens during IVF treatments, they know that the baby is born artificially and not naturally (through sexual intercourse).
This has prevented several infertile couples from undergoing IVF to have their baby. You might have this question, too.
So, in this article, we’ll break the ice regarding this age-old question and discover the truth about IVF treatments.
Is IVF Pregnancy The Same As Normal Pregnancy?
Yes, IVF pregnancy is almost the same as normal pregnancy. The only difference between these two procedures is the method of conception.
Aside from the method of fertilization and implantation, IVF pregnancies are almost the same as normal pregnancies. Most IVF women who have already had a normal pregnancy have reported that there was not much difference between the two pregnancies.
What Are The Key Differences Between IVF Pregnancy And Normal Pregnancy?
Fertilization and implantation
The main difference between IVF and normal pregnancy is how the eggs are fertilized and implanted in the uterus.
During a normal pregnancy, you will get pregnant through sexual intercourse. The sperm will swim to the fallopian tubes and fertilize the egg there. Pregnancy happens when the fertilized egg implants in the uterus and starts developing.
In an IVF , the sperm and eggs are collected from the intended couple and fertilized in a laboratory. The embryos are monitored, and the best among them is transferred into the uterus. Pregnancy happens when the embryo successfully implants into the uterine lining and starts developing.
Medication & monitoring
Another key difference you can note between the two procedures is the medication and monitoring you have to undergo during the procedure.
A normal pregnancy occurs naturally. An IVF pregnancy, on the other hand, requires undergoing a number of procedures and taking hormonal medications to produce more eggs.
You will also be under frequent monitoring and evaluation until your IVF pregnancy has been confirmed and there are no complications. A normal pregnancy, on the other hand, requires less monitoring compared to IVF.
Pregnancy symptoms
IVF women have been shown to experience pregnancy symptoms a bit more intensely than women with a normal pregnancy. This is mainly due to the hormonal injections that alter your hormone levels.
However, this is only during the first three months of pregnancy (first trimester). After that, the pregnancy symptoms are almost the same as a normal pregnancy.
First Two Weeks Of IVF Pregnancy
The first two weeks of IVF pregnancy is the most crucial period of IVF treatment. This is the period when the transferred embryo gets implanted into the uterine lining and starts developing into a baby.
You won’t experience many symptoms during this period. However, you will be more aware of the symptoms and feel it more intensely than other women.
This is mainly because, during a normal pregnancy, the woman won’t be aware that she might be pregnant. In IVF, however, you will be aware of the embryo inside you, so the expectation and awareness will also be high.
Two to Ten Weeks of IVF Pregnancy
You can take a urine pregnancy test at home and learn your pregnancy result two weeks after embryo transfer. After implantation, your body would have started releasing hCG hormones into your bloodstream.
A pregnancy test will measure the hCG levels in your urine and determine pregnancy. Sometimes, a urine pregnancy test can give you faulty results. You can also visit your fertility doctor and take a blood test or ultrasound to confirm whether you are pregnant.
You will start experiencing pregnancy symptoms like
- Nausea,
- Morning sickness,
- Cravings,
- Increased frequency of urinating,
- Breast tenderness, etc.
10 Weeks Or Beyond
This is the time around when you can more or less be sure of your IVF pregnancy. Your pregnancy symptoms will also decrease in intensity, and the pregnancy will feel almost like a normal pregnancy.
Ensure you follow a healthy lifestyle and follow the instructions of your fertility doctor.
Conclusion
You don’t need to worry about whether an IVF pregnancy differs from a natural pregnancy or if babies born through IVF are as healthy. The health and well-being of both you and your baby depend largely on the lifestyle and healthy habits you adopt during pregnancy, regardless of how the pregnancy was achieved.
It’s important to understand that there’s no substantial difference between IVF and natural pregnancies in terms of the care required. To clear up any confusion or concerns you might have about IVF, we encourage you to book a consultation for queries related to IVF treatment with our IVF specialists. Our team is here to answer all your questions and provide you with the necessary information and support.
Please make sure to follow all the safety guidelines your doctor recommends and reach out to us if you have any doubts or concerns. We, as your fertility hospital, are committed to supporting you at every stage of your journey to becoming a parent.
FAQs
IVF babies have been proven to have a higher risk of having issues like:
- Genetic or chromosomal abnormalities,
- Physical & mental health issues,
- Defects in the heart or other internal organs,
- Preterm birth, etc.
During embryo culture, your fertility doctors will run certain tests on your embryos to check their quality. They are:
- PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening) and
PGD (Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis).
These tests will help your fertility doctor choose the best embryos for embryo transfer, thus increasing the chances of success.
IVF women have been shown to experience pregnancy symptoms a bit more intensely than women with a normal pregnancy.
However, this is only during the first three months of pregnancy (first trimester). After that, the pregnancy symptoms are almost the same as a normal pregnancy.