RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ART

Anaesthesia
There are risks associated with any anaesthetic procedure such as a reaction to the drugs, slowed breathing and a 1 in 65,000 chance of death.

Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)
OHSS is a relatively common complication that can be serious. It can occur after treatment with Gonadotrophins or Clomiphene Citrate. OHSS is more likely to occur if a woman develops a large number of follicles, but it can occur even if a small number develops.
Who is at risk?
Women who have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), are young, are thin or who have experienced OHSS previously.
Severe OHSS
This is an uncommon condition, but can be serious. You can become quite ill, experience significant pain, swelling of the abdomen and nausea, have your kidney function affected and, rarely, develop clots in the legs or lungs.

Ovarian Abscess
In 1 in 1,000 cases a bug is introduced into the ovary which may then grow in some endometriosis tissue. This is potentially more serious and occurs mainly in women who have a history of endometriosis and endometriotic cysts on their ovaries. This occurs because, during egg pick up, a needle must pass through the vagina (which is not a bacteria-free area) into the abdominal cavity and ovary.

Pelvic Infection
This is very uncommon – less than 1 in 1,000 cases. Some women have had a pelvic infection which may have contributed to their infertility by causing damage to the fallopian tubes. Some of these women may experience a recurrence of the infection following egg pick up – probably because the infection is stirred up after lying dormant.