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Healthy Start Newsletter Article #2
There’s hope for couples unable to get pregnant
Thinking about starting a family? For some couples, getting pregnant can be difficult. In fact,
conception for about 10 percent of all couples is quite challenging1. Infertility is defined as the
inability to get pregnant after a year of steady trying.
Men and women are equally apt to have a fertility problem. Common reasons for infertility in
men include low sperm count and low motility (poor swimmers). The #1 cause in women is a
lack of ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries)2.
Couples having trouble getting pregnant should see their health care provider for a preconception
visit. He or she can determine if there are any problems that should be treated to improve fertility
and increase the odds of getting pregnant. The good news is that about half of infertile couples
who seek help can eventually bear a child either on their own or with medical assistance3.
Infertility treatment encompasses a wide range of services to increase the chance of pregnancy.
Treatment may include the use of fertility drugs/medication to stimulate ovulation, surgery and/or
in vitro fertilization (IVF).
IVF is the most common technique for aiding reproduction. About one percent of all babies born
in the United States are conceived through IVF4. Here’s how it works: The woman is given drugs
to stimulate egg production. The eggs are then surgically removed. The eggs and sperm (from her
partner or a donor) are brought together in a laboratory dish to allow the sperm to fertilize the
eggs. Once fertilized, one or more embryos are inserted into the uterus to develop.
The success rate for IVF can be as high as 40 percent for women under age 305. However IVF
success varies widely depending on age, the cause of the infertility and pregnancy history. Many
women over 40 choose to use donor eggs to improve their odds of giving birth.
IVF-related injections, monitoring and procedures can be emotionally and physically demanding
of the female partner. These procedures are typically done on an outpatient basis and require a
short recovery time.
Multiple births pose greater risks
Babies conceived through IVF have a slightly higher risk of birth defects compared to babies
conceived naturally6. In fact, most IVF risks are due to multiple births, not the IVF procedure.
There are more multiple births with IVF because often two or more embryos are transferred to a
woman’s uterus. Multiple pregnancies pose higher risk for both mother and fetuses. Twins,
triplets and other multiples face greater risk of premature birth, low birth weight, infant death and
long-term disabilities7. Even single babies born via IVF have slightly higher health risks than
babies conceived naturally8.
Today, about 35 percent of U.S. births resulting from methods like IVF involve multiple births9.
It’s important for couples seeking infertility treatment to understand the increased risk for
multiple births and related complications.
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There are many good web sites where you can learn more about infertility and reproduction,
including WebMD.com.
Get expert support with a personal touch
When you become pregnant, you’ll no doubt have lots of questions. That’s why you should take
advantage of the Healthy Start® Prenatal Support program. It pairs you with a registered nurse
with experience in obstetrics who will send you helpful information, call you throughout your
pregnancy to check how you’re doing and answer your questions. You’ll learn what you need to
know to have a healthy birth — and a healthy baby.
When you complete the program, you’ll receive a [$50] VISA gift card* to use anywhere you
like. To learn more or enroll in the Healthy Start program, call (651) 662-1818 or
1-866-489-6948. Or you can e-mail Healthy_Start@bluecrossmn.com.
Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® of Minnesota is a nonprofit independent licensee of the Blue Cross and
Blue Shield Association.
*The gift card may result in tax consequences to you or your employer.
References
1
WebMD.com, Infertility & Reproductive Guide. Accessed on 10/31/2007.
Ibid.
3
Ibid.
4
Univ. of Iowa Study: Slight Increased Risk of Major Birth Defects Associated with IVF,
www.uihealthcare.com/news/news/2005/12/19birthdefects.html. Accessed on 10/31/2007.
5
WebMD.com, Infertility & Reproduction Health Center, p.2. Accessed on 10/31/2007.
6
Univ. of Iowa Study: Slight Increased Risk of Major Birth Defects Associated with IVF,
www.uihealthcare.com/news/news/2005/12/19birthdefects.html. Accessed on 10/31/2007.
7
Univ. of Iowa Study: Some Couples Unaware of Multiple Birth Risks,
www.uihealthcare.com/news/news/2004/05/17multiplebirth.html
8
WebMD.com, Infertility & Reproduction Health Center, p.1. Accessed on 10/31/2007.
9
WebMD.com, Infertility & Reproduction Health Center, p.3. Accessed on 10/31/2007.
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