Doctors debunk 10 most common myths around IVF

Indian couples are grappling with one of the most challenging issues in family planning: infertility. Over 20 million couples in the country are affected by infertility, with male infertility rates notably on the rise.

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While there are many ways to fight infertility, IVF (in vitro fertilisation) has become a major scientific advancement that can help couples in family planning.

IVF (in vitro fertilisation) involves stimulating the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, retrieving these eggs, and fertilising them with sperm in a lab.The resulting embryos are monitored and one or more are transferred to the uterus. This process increases the chances of achieving a successful pregnancy.

However, with a growing number of clinics sprouting in several parts of the country and despite its success, many myths and misconceptions surround IVF. Doctors affirm that this method is effective, helping couples conceive.Dr Astha Dayal, Director, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, and Dr Sandhya Rani, Senior Consultant, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Aster Women and Children Hospital, Whitefield, Bengaluru, revealed the 10 most common myths about IVF that couples who want to opt for this procedure should know.

IVF always results in twins

One of the most persistent myths about IVF is that it invariably leads to multiple births (twins, triplets, or more).

While it's true that IVF can increase the chances of multiple pregnancies, with advancements in IVF technologies, we can significantly reduce this risk by successfully transferring a single embryo to minimise the chances of twins or triplets and to enhance the safety of the pregnancy.