Can You Guarantee A Healthy Pregnancy?
Pregnancy is a risky business. There is always the chance of miscarriages or complications during delivery. Children can acquire a genetic trait that affects long-term health. High-risk pregnancies are also possible due to advanced age, chronic disease, and pregnancy-related health conditions. Medicine and science have made leaps in reproductive health, unlocking a deeper understanding of pregnancy. In some situations, doctors need ways to protect the mother and future child. Strategies, like assisted reproductive technology (ART) can help high-risk cases or people with infertility achieve a safe, healthy pregnancy.
The role of ART in pregnancy
ART consists of techniques that increase the chances of pregnancy. A fertility clinic will handle eggs, sperm, or embryos outside the body and then perform a transfer or implantation. In vitro fertilization (IVF) is perhaps the most popular form of ART. An embryologist creates embryos by combining sperm and multiple harvested eggs. Ovulation induction is necessary and involves using hormone medication to increase follicle production in the ovaries. One or more embryos are then surgically implanted into the uterus. Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are other popular ART methods.
Preimplantation genetic testing and screening
There is no guarantee of a completely safe pregnancy in any circumstance. ART, however, has been shown to help. There are strategies like screening and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy. Screening sperm, eggs, and embryos ensures that the best option is available. ART helps identify possible eggs or embryos that can lead to miscarriages or failed IVF cycles. PGT rules out embryos with possible genetic abnormalities that can lead to challenging or unhealthy pregnancies later. This extra step is critical for individuals or couples with infertility.
A single embryo transfer
During ART, the fertility team will create embryos from the best possible sperm and eggs. This process allows the fertility team to perform a single embryo transfer (SET) during implantation. Adopting a SET protocol increases the chances of a healthy pregnancy. With IVF and other techniques like intrauterine insemination (IUI), there is a chance of multiples. This pregnancy creates health risks for the mother and children, such as miscarriages, low birth weight, premature births, and genetic abnormalities. A single transfer also reduces the risk for potential parents who do not want multiple births.
Donors and surrogates
If there is still a chance of an unhealthy pregnancy, there are strategies that can be used with ART to reduce the risk. Using donor eggs or sperm can increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy. If a potential parent presents eggs or sperm that may cause fertility problems, donors can help. While a biological link to the child may be lost, the goal of a healthy, happy baby is still achieved. ART can be combined with gestational surrogacy to help individuals, same-sex couples, or infertile couples. The embryo is instead transferred to a surrogate who carries the child on the future parent's behalf. Surrogacy removes potential health risks to the mother and future child.
What can you do about it?
ART has many techniques to increase the chances of a healthy pregnancy, but there are steps those involved can take to help. Adopting healthy lifestyle changes lowers the health risk for mother and child. Avoiding alcohol and substance abuse, healthy diets, and exercise are recommended examples. Reducing stress and prioritizing sleep can lower complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Regular checkups, prenatal care, and addressing pre-existing health conditions also lead the way to a healthy outcome.
A powerful friend in ART
Infertility and the many challenges that come with pregnancy can impact the health of the process. Self-care and monitoring by doctors can help, but there are times when additional support is needed. ART can help with infertility or support those at risk of having an unhealthy pregnancy. The risk is managed through screening and genetic testing, carefully managing the process, and avoiding potential dangers. Donor sperm and surrogates are additional options. ART will not replace natural pregnancies in fertile couples. However, these techniques will become a cornerstone in helping high-risk cases or infertile couples start a family.
