In most cases, miscarriage after in vitro fertilization (IVF) is only slightly higher than in a normally conceived pregnancy. Many times, the added risk comes from physical abnormalities in the mother which led to infertility to begin with. These can normally be fixed or alleviated, although sometimes they may lead to miscarriage, depending on the problem. For the most part, miscarriage after IVF is around the 10 to 20 percent experienced by any other pregnant woman.
The cause of miscarriage after having IVF is likely very similar to any other pregnancy loss. Most miscarriages are thought to be due to chromosomal abnormalities in the developing baby, with some of them being caused by external forces such as uterine malfunction, placenta abnormalities, or hormonal issues in the mother. Occasionally, miscarriage will occur due to something the mother consumes.
One of the main differences between normal pregnancy loss and a miscarriage after IVF, is that it is harder for many mothers emotionally to lose a pregnancy after years of infertility. IVF treatments are typically reserved as a last resort, after all other methods of getting pregnancy have failed, because it is highly expensive and carries a greater risk of multiples and pregnancy complications. Success is less than 50 percent, so losing a pregnancy that does occur can be a devastating loss.
The loss caused by a miscarriage after IVF can be doubly devastating if the couple cannot afford additional treatments or if additional treatments are not advised. Sometimes, if the mothers’ body is to blame for one or recurrent losses, she may begin to blame herself and feel a sense of worthlessness at not being able to carry a baby to term. This is not true, of course, but an inability to get and stay pregnant can have a tremendous impact on a woman’s self esteem.
Therapy is advised for many who experience a miscarriage after IVF before trying for another pregnancy. Even if not given professional counseling, any mother who has experienced a miscarriage should wait until she is emotionally ready to try for another baby. Miscarriages are a loss and should be grieved just as any other.
In most cases, miscarriage after IVF has no bearing on future pregnancies unless a specific abnormality in the mother’s hormones or anatomy is discovered. There is often no increased risk for pregnancy loss until two or more consecutive losses have occurred. If this happens, genetic testing and counseling may be advised.