In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) - risks and side effects

The Private Healthcare UK guide to infertility treatment contains articles on infertility and IVF treatment which are aimed at improving your knowledge of treatments for infertility, their benefits and potential risks.

The guide is sponsored by The London Women's Clinic, leading fertility specialists who have been involved in fertility management since 1984.

The London Women's Clinic (LWC) delivers a full range of diagnostic and treatment programmes for fertility disorders  and operate one of the most successful IVF programmes in the world.

The LWC in Harley Street is rated in the top three amongst all UK licensed centres for women aged up to 35 and the HFEA has published the centre specific IVF success rates for the period 1st January – 30th June 2007 showing verified results of 55.7% success.

For more information about The London Women’s Clinic:

The London Women's Clinic London, Harley Street.

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7487 5050 E-mail: info@londonwomensclinic.com

In this section

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS):

This may occur if the ovaries are very sensitive to stimulation and produce many eggs (usually greater than 15) or high levels of Oestradiol.  This could be a potentially dangerous situation, but OHSS occurs in its severe form in only 0.5% of patients.  If you are at risk of developing this, the options are to:

1.       Abandon the cycle

2.       Delay the egg collection

3.       Freeze all the embryos

Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is characterised by lower abdominal discomfort, swelling and nausea.  Sometimes vomiting and difficulty in breathing may occur. If you are worried that these symptoms are developing, you must contact the clinic. It is important to drink plenty of fluids (at least two litres per day) to avoid becoming dehydrated. Water, milk, fruit juice or isotonic fruit drinks are all suitable. Try to limit tea and coffee, as they are diuretics and make you pass more urine. Continue with these fluids for at least ten days after egg collection.

In this guide

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