_(1).png%3Fbranch%3Dprod&w=3840&q=75)
Before deciding whether in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is right for you, you may have questions whether an IVF-conceived baby will be different from a naturally conceived baby where it concerns their health, genetics, development, or appearance.
These questions are understandable, given the myths surrounding IVF babies. Separating the facts from myths and knowing the difference between IVF and natural birth might help you make a more informed decision during your fertility journey.
How conception happens
.png?branch=production)
Though you and your partner may prefer to have a baby through natural pregnancy, there are some conditions that could make natural conception difficult. Therefore, having a baby through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) may be recommended for you.
Natural conception
Natural conception is the process where pregnancy occurs through regular sexual intercourse without medical intervention. It begins with ovulation, when the ovary releases a mature egg into the fallopian tube.
During intercourse, sperm are ejaculated into the vagina and travel through the cervix (the lower part of the womb) into the uterus (womb) and then into the fallopian tubes (a pair of hollow, muscular ducts between your ovaries and womb).
Fertilisation normally happens in the fallopian tube, where a single sperm penetrates the egg to form a fertilised egg, known as a zygote. After fertilisation, the embryo undergoes several cell divisions while travelling down the tube into the womb. Around 5 to 7 days after fertilisation, it implants into the uterine lining (endometrium).
Successful natural conception depends on multiple factors such as regular ovulation, healthy sperm quality, open fallopian tubes, and whether your uterine lining is ready to receive an embryo. If any of these factors are disrupted, natural pregnancy may not occur even in otherwise healthy individuals.
IVF conception
IVF is a fertility treatment that is done in a laboratory setting. Instead of fertilisation occurring inside the fallopian tube, eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries after hormonal stimulation. These eggs are then combined with sperm in a laboratory, either through conventional insemination or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
Once fertilisation occurs, embryos are cultured for several days until they reach a suitable stage (often known as blastocyst stage). A selected embryo is then transferred into the uterus, where it will naturally implant if the lining of your womb is ready to support it.
The IVF process allows your specialists to control and optimise many variables in the treatment process, making it a viable choice for conditions where natural conception is difficult.
Are there differences between IVF and natural babies?
The main difference between IVF babies and natural babies is how their fertilisation happens. Once an embryo implants in the womb, pregnancy and foetal development of IVF and natural babies usually follow the same process.
How they are conceived:
A naturally conceived baby’s fertilisation usually occurs in a fallopian tube inside the mother’s body. While an IVF baby’s fertilisation takes place in a laboratory.
Level of medical support:
Naturally conceived babies do not require fertility treatment. Meanwhile, IVF babies are conceived with medical support, including fertility medicines, egg collection, laboratory fertilisation, and embryo transfer.
Timing and control:
Natural baby fertilisation depends on when ovulation occurs and when sperm meets the egg. While in IVF fertilisation, doctors plan the timing of egg collection, fertilisation, and embryo transfer.
If you are still considering whether you should have a baby via natural conception or IVF, request a consultation with a specialist at Thomson Fertility Singapore to receive guidance for your pregnancy journey.
Our fertility doctor in Singapore
Loading...
Common myths about IVF babies
_(1).png?branch=production)
You may be worried about having an IVF baby because there are several myths about their health, appearance, and development. Knowing these common myths and the facts about IVF babies may help you feel more confident in choosing your path to parenthood.
| Myths | Facts |
|---|---|
| IVF babies are physically weaker or have poor immunity | Most single IVF babies have similar overall health outcomes to natural babies. IVF itself does not make a baby physically weaker or cause a poor immune system. A child’s health is influenced by many factors, including genetics, parental health, pregnancy complications, nutrition, and their environment. |
| IVF babies have different genetics than natural babies | IVF does not genetically modify embryos, so the baby could inherit DNA from both parents in the same way as a naturally conceived baby. |
| Every IVF baby will be premature or have low birth weight | Many IVF babies are born at term and at a healthy weight. However, IVF pregnancies do have a relatively higher risk of preterm birth and low birth weight compared to natural pregnancies. |
| IVF babies will be infertile as adults | IVF does not cause infertility issues in children. However, if one or both parents has an inherited condition that affects fertility, it might be passed on, regardless of how the child was conceived. |
| IVF babies have different cognitive abilities than natural babies | IVF does not determine a child’s intelligence or learning ability. IVF babies usually have similar cognitive development and abilities to natural babies because they undergo the same developmental milestones. |
Potential challenges for mothers at birth
Whether you conceive naturally or through IVF, you may face some challenges during pregnancy, labour or shortly after birth. Knowing these challenges may help you be more prepared for pregnancy and birth.
These challenges include the potential risk of:
Preterm birth: it is when a baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.
Low birth weight: this means a baby weighs less than 2.5 kg at birth. It may happen because the baby is born too early, facing an issue during the development process in the womb, or both.
Birth abnormalities: these are conditions that develop while a baby is growing in the womb that may affect the growth process.
Birth distress: it is when a baby is having difficulty adapting during or immediately after birth. This may include irregular breathing and a low heart rate.
Neonatal infection: which is an infection that affects a baby during the first 28 days of life, such as sepsis and pneumonia.
While IVF and natural pregnancy may face the same challenges, IVF pregnancies often receive closer monitoring because they have a slightly higher chance of several complications such as preterm birth, low birth weight, and certain placental problems.
Deciding between IVF and natural conception
Doctors may recommend IVF when natural conception faces difficulties, such as:
Blocked fallopian tubes
Severe male infertility
Ovulation disorders
Advanced maternal age
Gynaecological conditions, such as endometriosis
Recurrent miscarriages
Unsuccessful previous fertility treatments
Younger couples with no known fertility issues are usually advised to try natural conception first. IVF is recommended when there is a clear medical barrier or after a period of unsuccessful attempts, typically 6 to 12 months depending on age.
When making this decision, it is important to take into account emotional readiness, financial capability, and whether you are willing to undergo medical procedures. In many cases, fertility specialists use diagnostic testing to guide whether natural conception is realistic or whether IVF offers a better chance of success.
If you have been trying natural conception for a while without success, or you are unsure whether IVF is the right next step, request a consultation with Thomson Fertility Singapore. A fertility specialist could help assess your fertility history and diagnostic results to determine your appropriate next steps.
FAQ
Does IVF give the baby a distinct physical appearance?
No, IVF does not give babies a distinct physical appearance from natural babies. Facial features, skin tone, hair, and eye colour mainly depend on the genes inherited from the parents’ egg and sperm, just as they do in natural conception.
Can parents choose traits in IVF babies?
IVF cannot create or guarantee traits such as intelligence, height, facial features, eye colour or personality. However, IVF combined with pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT) allows doctors to screen embryos for certain inherited genetic conditions or chromosomal changes before transfer. This may help reduce the chance of a known condition being passed on.
Is the bond between parents and an IVF baby different to the bond with a natural baby?
No, IVF does not make the bond between parents and their baby different. This is because a bond develops through everyday care, affection, comfort, safety and responsive interaction, not through the method of conception.
Are IVF babies more likely to be born via C-section?
Yes. IVF babies are usually more likely to be born by caesarean section than natural babies. However, IVF alone does not mean that a caesarean section is necessary.
C-sections are more common in IVF pregnancies because the parents may be older, twin pregnancies are more likely, and some placental complications occur more often. These factors can make a C-section birth safer than vaginal delivery.
The information provided is intended for general guidance only and should not be considered medical advice. For personalised advice based on your unique conditions, schedule an appointment with Thomson Medical.
For more information, contact us:
Thomson Fertility Centre
- Paragon: 6252 7766
- Novena: 6399 3758, 8811 0358 (WA)