In Today’s modern daylight, the path to parenthood varies, but the destination remains the same: bringing a new life into the world.
Whether the approach is a natural conception or through assisted reproductive technology (ART) such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), everything boils down to carrying an unproblematic pregnancy and a healthy delivery.
Despite common assumptions that IVF pregnancies differ significantly from natural ones, the alikeness is rather in greater proportion than the differences.
Here’s a detailed look at the similarities and differences between IVF and natural pregnancies, from conception to delivery.
Conception Differences: IVF vs. Natural Pregnancy
1. Natural Conception
How does a natural conception proceed? Firstly, fertilization occurs when sperm successfully meets the egg in the fallopian tubes.
The fertilized egg then slowly makes its passage into the uterus over a couple of days, implants in the uterine lining beginning the official journey of pregnancy. This process relies on a woman’s natural ovulation cycle, making the timing less predictable.
The chances of a natural conception every single month is around 25% for women under 30 years
2. IVF Conception
Speaking of IVF, the very first difference this method has in comparison to IVF is that fertilization takes place outside the female body in a controlled laboratory setting, usually at 37 degrees Celsius in temperature.
Eggs are extracted from the ovaries and fused with healthy sperm in a controlled laboratory environment. After this process, the formed embryo is transferred inside the recipient’s uterus for pregnancy to begin. IVF conception rates are higher compared to natural conception every single month.
Key Difference: Location and Control Over Timing
While natural conception happens within the body, IVF occurs externally, allowing precise control over the timing of fertilization and implantation.
Early Stages of Pregnancy: Monitoring and Care
The First Two Weeks
Usually, as a natural pregnancy moves forward, a lot of women might not even realize they’re pregnant unless a missed period implants seeds of doubt or until early symptoms don’t arrive.
This article has already clarified that the assumptions on differences being poles apart are not true and rather limited differences are experienced while comparing natural pregnancy and IVF pregnancy!
Keep this in consideration, the only other significant difference is anxiety! Having gone through embryo transfer, IVF patients develop emotions of heightened expectation. This awareness can lead to increased anxiety and expectations from day one.
Monitoring and Hormone Support
Another difference in terms of aftercare is that IVF pregnancies require an extra layer of support in the early stages which constitutes hormone supplementation to mimic natural progesterone levels, which plays a crucial role in sustaining early pregnancy.
Likewise, IVF patients must abide by and undergo frequent monitoring, and unmissed scheduled check-ups every one to two weeks. This helps doctors ensure embryo development and address any complications.
Early Pregnancy Symptoms
Both natural and IVF pregnancies bring common symptoms, such as nausea, fatigue, mood swings, and cravings. In IVF pregnancies, some of these symptoms may result from medications used during treatment rather than pregnancy itself.
What to Expect in the First Trimester (0-12 Weeks)
Natural and IVF Pregnancies Get Similar.
After the initial two weeks, the differences between IVF and natural pregnancy fade away. As time passes the pregnancy becomes as stable and progressive as a normal natural pregnancy. From diet to taking care of the pregnant woman, everything is the same.
In both cases, making sure a balanced diet is prioritized, sufficient yoga and exercise, and keeping distance from body-harming substances like alcohol and tobacco are significant. However, IVF patients may have additional hormone therapies to sustain the pregnancy initially.
Post-10 Weeks: Minimal Differences Between IVF and Natural Pregnancies
As a woman proceeds to her ten-week mark, nearing the day of delivery the frequency of doctor visits drops majorly for IVF patients as the pregnancy stabilizes.
After twelve weeks, IVF and natural pregnancies are virtually indistinguishable in terms of health risks, pregnancy progression, and the developing fetus.
Is the Baby Different in IVF and Natural Pregnancies?
The answer to this is a clear big no! Babies born through IVF are as healthy and normal as the babies that are born naturally. This is because, after the 1st trimester, nutrition, diet choices, exercise inclusion, and lifestyle choices are what determine the child’s health.
Despite natural birth or one obtained through IVF, a child can be born with low weight, with abnormalities if these factors are not given importance.
After all, the child’s health is primarily determined by the health and lifestyle of the parents during pregnancy, rather than the method of conception.
IVF and Natural Pregnancy: Conclusion
Irrespective of the method chosen for a pregnancy, the main route is to obtain a successful pregnancy. The early weeks certainly have differentiating factors but as the days progress the pathways meet each other leading to a beautiful and fruit parenthood.
