Thursday, October 20, 2011

ICSI - A Patient's Perspective

By SL Anne


Fertility treatment such as ICSI, IVF and IUI are aimed to provide couples with a second chance at starting a family. Mending with the natural cycle of reproduction generally has its risks and varies from individuals. Patients should be aware of drug reaction risks, multiple birth risks, ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome (OHSS), ectopic pregnancy and birth defects. (Human Fertilisation Embryology Authority, 2009). Taking proactive steps to identify potential dangers can prepare an individual mentally to face the challenges that lay ahead.

Prescribed fertility drugs used are aimed to produce ovulation. Clomifene citrate, metformin, gonadorelin, gonal-F, menogon, menopur and merional are among the few types of widely used fertility inducing drugs used. These drugs may be induced via injections or pills.

Drugs are also taken during treatment to give more control over the treatment cycle. Progesterone for example, is consumed to maintain pregnancy after the treatment while gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues hamper the natural menstrual cycle from occurring.

Patients should be sensible of sudden changes to the body; hot flushes, night sweats, mood swings, difference in breast size and nausea are among the few side effects not to be taken lightly. Having gonadotrophins also increase the chances of ovarian hyper stimulation syndrome (OHSS); which can be a perilous experience.

Having successfully delivering twins into this world, would be a mother's greatest joy. On the other side of the coin, multiple births can pose considerable risks for mothers undergoing fertility treatment. "Multiple births increase risks for mothers and babies. They should not be seen as inevitable and acceptable outcomes of assisted reproduction." Prof Siladitya Bhattacharya, University of Aberdeen

Mothers of twins stand a higher chance to be subjected to induced hypertension compared to mothers of singletons. Gestational diabetes, early or late miscarriage and pre-eclampsia are also among the other health risks imposed during pregnancy. These hazards further amplify during or after birth. When faced with dangerous moments, external intervention is inevitable; Caesarean sections, haemorrhages and anaemia are probable when delivering twins.

Prematurity often occurs and this will have a devastating long term effect on the child; congenital heart diseases, cerebral palsy, low IQ and impaired sight, are examples of such effects. Ectopic pregnancy is also a possible threat when receiving fertility treatments such as ICSI. Ectopic pregnancy or sometimes known as 'tubal' pregnancy, occurs when the egg implants outside the uterus.

Couples should be sensitive towards one sided low abdominal pains, which are followed by vaginal bleeding. A particular symptom of ectopic pregnancy would be to experience shoulder pains; caused by internal bleeding which irritates the nerves that are connected to the shoulder. In conclusion, being prepared for probable situations that follow, couples being treated with fertility treatment such as ICSI would understand that there is no guaranteed success but reducing risk factors can act as success contributing in achieving their goals.




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