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Birth Defects

adeckard2014adeckard2014 member
in Pregnant after IF
Because I can never not worry, does anyone have any info from their doctor on the risk of birth defects after IVF with ICSI? I though after getting pregnant, I could chill but no. I have been researching all morning and it seems like the risks are high. Does anyone have any doctor approved info?
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Re: Birth Defects

  • PoeMasquePoeMasque member
    The only thing I'm aware of is a slightly (1-2% I think) elevated risk of cardiac malformations when you do ICSI. You should get a fetal echocardiogram to check for this around 24 weeks. There is a significantly higher risk of placenta previa in IVF pregnancies, but those aren't birth defects. I'm not a doctor, but I'm a maternal/child health nurse 
    Me: 39 SO: 36

    Dx: low progesterone, possible DOR - officially "unexplained"

    TTC#1 since November 2015
    9/16/2016 IUI#1 - BFN
    10/12/2016 IUI#2 - BFN
    1/21/2017 Clomid/IUI#3 - BFN
    March 2017 IVF: BFP! (beta#1 191, beta#2 378!) - it's a boy! DS born 12/6/2017

    TTC #2 since July 2018
    May 2019 IVF #2: BFP! (beta#1 346, beta#2 646) - vanishing twin at 8 weeks. Baby B still going strong - due 2/8/20!
    Pregnancy Ticker
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  • adeckard2014adeckard2014 member
    Thank you for your reply!
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  • Drove2uDrove2u member
    My daughter was born with a hole in her heart. Quite large. We found out when she was two days old. Thank goodness otherwise I would've been worrying throughout my pregnancy if I knew sooner. They told us she would need surgery when she was 3 months but she's now 7 and thriving and hasn't had surgery yet. We're still not in the clear with the surgery but she's doing really well. It's pretty common what she has and easily fixed. Obviously I will be freaking out the day of surgery but then itll be over and done with and she can just move on. Please don't worry. If anything does happen your baby will be in great care!! 
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  • tiffanyw1783tiffanyw1783 member
    My RE and MFM both said there is a slightly higher chance of birth defects with IVF/ICSI but the chances were almost negligible when compared to naturally conceived pregnancies.i just delivered twin girls from IVF with ICSI and I didn't stop worrying through the whole pregnancy. I actually think infertility makes you worry more b/c you're always waiting for something to go wrong!

    TTC for 8 years.
    Started in 2008 with timed intercourse, ovulation testing, no official monitoring.
    OB-GYN recommended Clomid and timed intercourse, attempted for 6 straight months.
    First surgery June 2009 (OB-GYN): diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis and large hydrosalpinx on right tube.
    Second surgery (July 2009, RE performed this): Right tube had to be removed, lots of adhesions removed.
    Attempted "trying on our own" as per RE recommendations, unsuccessful 5-6 months.
    HSG performed December 2009: left tube open.
    February 2010: started Femara and timed intercourse, attempted 6 months, no BFPs.
    Took a break for a while.
    January 2011: started IUI process, ovaries never properly responded to medications, 6 failed attempts, never actually completed an IUI.
    Took 2012-2014 off due to depression and frustration (side note: did complete grad school to become a nurse practitioner- great distraction).
    2015: started seeing RE again, went through tons of testing and HSG, left tube now blocked, only option is IVF.
    September 2015: Started first official IVF cycle, cancelled in October due to large cyst on left ovary.
    October 2015: started on birth control for 2 months.
    December 2015: attempted to start another IVF cycle, cysts on both ovaries on initial ultrasound, left was huge, cancelled to aspirated cyst.
    January 2016: Cyst back, surgery for ex-lap, cyst and adhesions removed.
    March 2016: Attempted second IVF cycle, estrogen way too high, cyst back, cancelled again.
    April 2016: Third attempted IVF cycle, 7 eggs retrieved, 2 mature (but not great) embryos made to fresh transfer, neither implanted.
    May-Sept 2016: Break to regain sanity.
    Sept-Oct 2016: Attempted fourth IVF cycle, very successful, cyst still on left but we ignored. 7 mature "great looking" eggs retrieved, 4 mature embryos made it to day 5 transfer. Transfer aborted due to large amount of endometriosis fluid in uterus.
    FET of 2 embryos completed on 12/12/16.
    12/22/16 1st Beta 179 BFP!!!
    12/24/16 2nd Beta 449!!
    EDD 8/30/17 with two girls!!!!!

    Audrey (4lb 8oz) and Olivia (6lb 6oz) born 8/10/17!!

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  • nellin-2nellin-2 member
    My specialist told me that it's really tricky to estimate risks from IVF pregnancies because people who do IVF are normally older or have health issues related to infertility that can increase complications. 
    You will probably have increased monitoring and tests that will hopefully give you peace of mind.
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