Risks of in vitro fertilization include:

• Miscarriage

The rate of miscarriage for women who conceive using in vitro fertilization with fresh embryos is similar to that of women who conceive naturally-about 15% to 25%-but the rate increases with maternal age.

• Egg-retrieval procedure complications

Use of an aspirating needle to collect eggs could posibly cause bleeding, infection or damage to the bowel, bladder or a blood vessel. Risks are also assoiciated with sedation and general anesthesi, if used.

• Ectopic pregnancies

About 2% to 5% of women who use in vitro fertilization will have an ectopic pregnancy-when the fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. The fertilized egg can’t survive outside the uterus, and there is no way to continue the pregnancy.