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One major concern of using fertility drugs is the high instances of multiple births. The chances are estimated at 25-50%, especially in women in their early 30’s or younger. The most immediate risk involved with multiples is pre-term or early labour resulting in premature births. A typical single pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, while for twins it is 36 weeks, for triplets it is 33 weeks, and for quadruplets it is 31 weeks. Premature babies can have numerous health challenges, and are often placed in a neonatal intensive care unit after delivery. The risk of developing health problems depends on the degree of prematurity.
Risks for the mother during multiple pregnancy can include: extreme nausea and vomiting, as well as higher risk of pregnancy induced hypertension and diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes).
Risks to the babies in multiple pregnancies include: low birth weight (over 55% of multiple births are less than 5 1/2 pounds); one baby not growing as well as the other(s); as well as higher risks of developmental delays and cerebral palsy.
Use of fertility drugs can cause side effects such as: nausea, weight gain, mood swings, fatigue, headache, cramping, ovarian hyperstimulation, breast soreness and ovarian cysts (just to name a few!). The process is often uncomfortable and in many cases involves injections.
Possible long-term side-effects do exist with the use of fertility drugs. The two most commonly discussed are: fetal / neonatal abnormalities, and a potential increase in risk of ovarian cancer.
Fetal abnormalities may be associated with fertility drugs, including: delayed development, abnormal bone development, tissue malformations (such as imperforate anus, tracheoesophageal fistula, diaphragmatic hernia, renal agenesis), chromosomal disorders and neural tube defects.
The bottom line is: if you were able to conceive naturally instead of using fertility drugs with potential the side-effects and risks outlined above, wouldn’t you rather choose this option?
Clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene)
Bromocriptine mesylate (Parlodel)
GnRH Analogs (Lupron, Synargel, Nafarelin)
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (Profasi, Pregnyl)
Human Menopausal Gonadotriopin (Humegon, Pergonal, Repronex)
Human FSH Urofollitropin (Metrodin, Fertinex)
Recombinant FSH: Follistim, Pergon, Gonal-F
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