Maternal and Fetal Outcome Following Post In vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer Pregnancy: A Prospective Observational Study

Abstract

Background: While the majority of in vitro fertilization (IVF)-conceived children are healthy, IVF has been associated with an increased risk of adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm labor and preterm delivery, and low birth weight (LBW). Objective: The objective of the study is to assess pregnancy, maternal, and perinatal outcomes in patients undergoing IVF embryo transfer (IVF-ET) at tertiary care center in North India. Methodology: It was a prospective observational study carried out for duration of 20 months among women who conceived following an IVF-ET. The sample size was 107 consecutive mothers and data were collected using a predesigned semi-structured study pro forma. Detailed menstrual, obstetric, and medical histories of each patient were noted. Findings of the general, physical, systemic, and obstetrical and gynecological examination were noted for all patients. Results: One hundred and seven mothers who fulfilled the study criteria were included. Of these, 4 had an abortion. Rest of the 103 mothers were included in the final analysis. The mean age of the mothers was 30.39 ± 4.7, ranging from 22 to 50 years. Twin pregnancy rate was 45.7%. All were dichorionic-diamniotic twins. Based on gestational age, 5% were extreme preterm births, 14% were very preterm births, 32% were late preterm births, and 48% were early-term births. Normal vaginal delivery (NVD) occurred in 26.2% of the mothers, elective lower-segment cesarean section (LSCS) in 21.4%, emergency LSCS in 51.4%, and one case had vacuum delivery. Hence, NVD occurred in 27% and 73% had LSCS. With respect to neonates born to study participants, 8% were extremely LBW, 7.3% were very LBW, 46% were LBW, and the rest 38.7% weighed 2.5 kg or more at birth. Conclusion: IVF-ET is a safe and highly successful treatment for infertility. Many of adverse outcomes are largely due to an increased risk of multiple gestations in IVF. Patients with infertility are likely to be older and have preexisting comorbid conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, insulin resistance, or other endocrinopathies which may predispose them to adverse obstetric and perinatal outcomes. It is also recommended that patients should be given adequate preconception counseling regarding increased maternal as well as neonatal risk.