Are IVF Pregnancies High Risk?

UPDATED ON 8TH APR. 2025

Yes, they can be slightly riskier than natural pregnancies, but with proper care, most IVF babies and mums turn out just fine.

Hi, I’m Dr. Jay Mehta, an IVF and infertility specialist at Shree IVF Clinic in Mumbai. I’ve helped hundreds of couples like you who are trying to conceive after facing infertility. 

I know you’re probably feeling a mix of hope and worry—IVF is a big step, and all the chatter online can make it confusing. 

In this article, I’ll explain what makes IVF pregnancies a bit different, why they might carry extra risks, and how we can keep you and your baby safe. 

You’ll get clear answers, real insights from my experience, and steps to feel confident—all in one place. 

No need to dig through endless websites—I’ve got you covered. Let’s start!

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What Is an IVF Pregnancy?

IVF—In Vitro Fertilisation—is when we help you have a baby by making it happen outside your body first. 

We take your eggs, mix them with sperm in a lab, grow a tiny baby-to-be (embryo), and then place it in your womb. It’s like planting a seed in a pot before moving it to the garden. 

Once the embryo sticks and grows, it’s an IVF pregnancy—just like a natural one, but with a little extra help to get started.

Couples turn to IVF for many reasons—blocked tubes, low sperm count, or conditions like endometriosis. 

But does this process make the pregnancy itself riskier? Let’s find out.

Why Might IVF Pregnancies Be Higher Risk?

Think of a pregnancy like a journey on a road. An IVF pregnancy might have a few more bumps than a natural one—not because IVF itself is dangerous, but because of how it happens and who’s taking the journey. Here’s why:

• Multiple Babies: IVF often leads to twins or more because we sometimes put in two embryos to boost chances. More babies mean more weight and space issues—such as carrying two bags instead of one—so the risks increase.

• Mum’s Age: Many IVF mums are over 35, when the body’s a bit less flexible. Older age naturally brings higher risks, like high blood pressure or sugar problems.

• Health Conditions: If you’re doing IVF because of infertility—like PCOS or endometriosis—those conditions might already make pregnancy trickier.

• Medicines Used: IVF needs hormone shots to grow eggs. These can sometimes overwork your ovaries or thicken your blood a bit, adding small risks.

• Womb Readiness: Sometimes, the womb lining isn’t as ready as it would be naturally, making it harder for the baby to settle in.

A couple came to me at Shree IVF Clinic Mumbai after years of trying. She was 38, and we did IVF with twins. Her pregnancy needed extra watching because of her age and the two babies—she had high blood pressure later on. With care, she delivered healthy twins at 36 weeks. It was riskier, but we managed it.

What Are the Risks in IVF Pregnancies?

Let’s break down the main risks so you know what to expect:

• Early Delivery: IVF babies might come before 37 weeks—about 20-30% of the time, especially with twins. It’s like the journey ending a bit sooner than planned.

• Low Birth Weight: Babies might be smaller, often because of early birth or multiple pregnancies—around 25% of IVF twins weigh less than normal.

• High Blood Pressure: Moms might face this (called preeclampsia) more often—up to 10-15% in IVF vs. 5% naturally—linked to age or hormones.

• Miscarriage: The risk is slightly higher—15-20% in IVF vs. 10-15% naturally—sometimes due to the mother’s health or embryo quality.

• C-Section: IVF moms might need surgery to deliver—about 40-50%—because of twins or other issues.

But here’s the good part: these risks don’t mean disaster. With the right care, most IVF pregnancies end with a healthy baby and mom.

Are All IVF Pregnancies Risky?

Not at all! 

Every pregnancy is unique—IVF or not. If you’re young, healthy, and carrying one baby, your risks might be almost the same as a natural pregnancy. 

Studies—like one from the British Medical Journal—show single IVF babies have only a tiny extra risk compared to natural ones. 

It’s when you add twins, age, or health troubles that the bumps get bigger.

Why Do Some IVF Pregnancies Have More Problems?

It’s not IVF itself—it’s the extras that come with it:

• Twins or More: Two or three babies stretch your body more, with a higher chance of early birth or low weight.

• Older Mums: Over 35, your body might struggle a bit—like a car with more miles needing extra fuel.

• Infertility Causes: If PCOS or endometriosis got you to IVF, they don’t vanish—they might still stir trouble.

• Frozen Embryos: Using frozen ones (common in IVF) might slightly raise blood pressure risks, though they’re just as healthy.

A woman in her early 40s did IVF with us using frozen embryos. She had one baby, but her blood pressure spiked at 32 weeks. We kept a close eye, and she delivered a healthy boy at 37 weeks. Her age and IVF process added risk, but we handled it successfully.

How Do We Keep IVF Pregnancies Safe?

The goal is a healthy you and baby—I’ve got your back! Here’s how we lower risks:

• One Baby at a Time: We often put just one embryo in now, which cuts twin risks big time. Success rates at Shree IVF Clinic stay strong at 40-50% per cycle with this.

• Regular Check-Ups: More visits to track your blood pressure, sugar, and baby’s growth—like pit stops on a road trip.

• Medicines: If needed, we use safe pills for blood pressure or to support the pregnancy.

• Healthy Living: Eating well and resting keep your body strong—I’ll guide you on this

• Early Action: If twins or issues pop up, we plan—maybe extra scans or rest.

Checklist for Safety:

• Ask me about single embryo transfer next visit.
• Check your blood pressure at home weekly.
• Eat fruit or sabzi with every meal today.
• Rest when you’re tired—no pushing too hard.

Does IVF Cause Baby Problems?

You might worry about your baby’s health—totally normal! 

Research shows IVF babies are just as healthy long-term as natural ones. Yes, there’s a slight chance (1-2%) of birth issues—like heart or growth problems—but it’s almost the same as natural pregnancies. 

Most of this comes from infertility itself or twins, not IVF. At Shree IVF Clinic, we screen embryos to pick the best ones, keeping risks low.

What About Miscarriage in IVF?

Miscarriage hurts—I’ve seen the tears. IVF miscarriage rates are a bit higher—15-20%—but they’re often tied to the mom’s age or health, not IVF. If you’ve had losses before, we dig deeper—tests for clotting or womb issues—and tweak your plan. It’s not a failure; it’s a step to figure things out.

How Do You Feel During an IVF Pregnancy?

Physically, it’s like any pregnancy—tiredness, nausea, joy—but with IVF, you might feel extra anxious. You’ve worked so hard to get here! That’s why I’m here—to reassure you and watch closely. Emotionally, take it easy—talk to your partner or me if you’re stressed.

Why Choose Me at Shree IVF Clinic Mumbai?

I’ve been doing this for over 10 years in Mumbai, helping couples through IVF with care and skill. At Shree IVF Clinic, we don’t just do treatments—we plan pregnancies to be as safe as possible. Single embryos, top-notch labs, and personal attention—that’s what you get. Nervous about risks? I’ll explain everything and stay with you every step.

Your Next Steps: Let’s Make It Work

Here’s what you can do now:

1. Know Your Risks: Older than 35 or health issues? Tell me—we’ll plan accordingly.
2. Ask About One Baby: Want lower risk? Let’s discuss single embryo transfer.
3. Stay Healthy: Start with a walk or extra water today—small steps help.
4. Call Me: Reach out at Shree IVF Clinic (shreeivfclinic.com)—I’m here to chat and clear doubts.

You’re reading this because you want a baby, and I’m here to make it happen safely. This article’s got it all—risks, solutions, and support—no need to hunt elsewhere. Still worried? Let’s sit down—I’ll keep it simple and guide you to a healthy pregnancy.

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