Maternal Risks Associated with Infertility Treatments

Overview of Infertility Treatments in Canada

A recent study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal examined the maternal risks linked to infertility treatments. In Canada, up to 4% of annual births result from these treatments. Procedures like in vitro fertilization and ovulation induction offer couples experiencing difficulties in conceiving the chance to have children. However, it is essential to understand the potential effects of these treatments on maternal health.

Research Methodology

To explore these risks, researchers utilized the Better Outcomes Registry & Network, gathering data on live births and stillbirths involving women aged 18 to 60 who reside in Ontario. This information was combined with data from various databases that reported health and demographic details for both women who underwent infertility treatments and those who did not. The findings were published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Focus on Maternal Morbidity and Mortality

The study aimed to assess maternal morbidity or mortality at any point from 20 weeks of gestation until 42 days post-hospital discharge. The analysis included data from 11,965 women who had infertility treatments and 47,553 women who did not.

Findings on Complications Linked to Infertility Treatments

The results indicated a heightened risk of morbidity or death for women who underwent infertility treatments, with a rate of 1.39 compared to 1.23 for those who did not receive such treatments. Specifically, among women who underwent invasive treatments, 235 experienced severe morbidity or died, while 121 women who received non-invasive treatments faced similar outcomes.

The study also revealed that the risk of maternal morbidity and mortality escalated after the age of 40 and in pregnancies involving twins or triplets. Of the 44 morbidity indicators analyzed, the most prevalent complications included hemorrhaging after childbirth, admission to intensive care units, and infections of the uterine tissues, particularly associated with invasive treatments.

Implications for Future Research

Although instances of maternal morbidity and death are infrequent in Canada, the findings suggest that women undergoing invasive fertility treatments face an increased risk for these complications. Future research should focus on identifying the factors contributing to maternal morbidity to enable health professionals to provide women with the most suitable and effective treatment options.

Reference

Dayan, N., Joseph, K.S., Fell, D.B., Laskin, C.A., Bassa, O.,…Ray, J.G. (2019). Infertility treatment and risk of severe maternal morbidity: a propensity score–matched cohort study. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 191(5), E118-E127. https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.181124