Contrary to some common beliefs, pregnancy resulting from IVF does not prevent the collection and storage of a newborn's cord blood, and parents can, like any natural pregnancy, benefit from this golden opportunity to ensure their child's future health.
Infertility is one of the main concerns for many couples in recent years. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, about 15 to 20 percent of Iranian couples face some degree of infertility. Increased age at marriage, urban life stresses, environmental pollution, unhealthy diet, and certain diseases are among the factors contributing to reduced fertility.
With advances in medical science, new methods for treating infertility have been introduced. One of the most common and successful of these methods is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). IVF has not only increased the chances of fertility for many couples but has also enabled new treatment and preventive opportunities, such as storing cord blood from IVF-conceived newborns.
What is IVF? IVF, or In Vitro Fertilization, means fertilization in a laboratory environment. In this method, the woman's egg and the man's sperm are combined outside the body in a laboratory to form an embryo. The resulting embryo is then transferred to the mother's uterus for the pregnancy to continue naturally. The stages of IVF include:
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Ovarian stimulation with hormonal drugs
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Egg retrieval from the ovaries
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Combining egg and sperm in the laboratory
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Culturing the embryo for a few days
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Transferring the embryo to the mother's uterus
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Confirming pregnancy with a blood test
Who are candidates for IVF? The IVF method is used for individuals who have the following problems:
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Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
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Reduced sperm count or quality
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Endometriosis
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Advanced maternal age (usually over 35)
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Unexplained infertility
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Failure of simpler methods like IUI
How successful is IVF? The success rate of IVF depends on various factors, including the mother's age, egg and sperm quality, the medical team's experience, and uterine conditions. Generally, for women under 35, the probability of success per IVF cycle is about 40 to 50 percent. This probability decreases with age. However, recent advancements in embryo freezing methods, genetic testing, and microinjection techniques have improved results.
IVF Pregnancy; Sensitive but Reliable Although pregnancy through IVF is considered a major scientific achievement, it is usually regarded as a high-risk pregnancy. The reason could be the use of hormonal drugs, advanced maternal age, or multiple pregnancies. Therefore, prenatal care in IVF mothers should be done with more precision.
Can cord blood be stored in IVF pregnancies? The answer is yes. Performing IVF in no way prevents the collection and storage of a newborn's cord blood. In fact, many parents who have used assisted reproductive technologies like IVF are more inclined than others to protect and store their newborn's cord blood. The reasons for this inclination include:
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High value of pregnancy after infertility treatment
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Higher probability of using stem cells in the future
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Presence of a family history of diseases treatable with stem cells
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Increasing age of parents and the need for complementary treatment solutions
In what cases is cord blood not stored for IVF-born infants? The only reasons that, with the advice of a consulting physician, might lead to the non-storage of cord blood from IVF-born infants are the use of heavy corticosteroid drugs, albumin injections, and intravenous immunoglobulin.
Non-storage of cord blood from infants born with donor sperm Cord blood storage for infants born through in vitro fertilization is possible if the egg and sperm belong to the biological parents. Also, cord blood from infants born with donated embryos and donated eggs is performed by Royan Cord Blood Bank, but if the newborn is the result of donated sperm, according to existing protocols, it cannot be stored.
Cord Blood and Stem Cells; A Treasure at Birth At the time of a baby's birth, the remaining blood in the umbilical cord and placenta contains highly valuable stem cells. These cells can be used in the treatment of blood disorders, immune deficiencies, certain cancers, and genetic disorders. Storing cord blood in public or private banks like Royan Cord Blood Bank allows for the future use of these therapeutic resources.
Is there a difference in cord blood quality in IVF-born infants? Scientifically, the cord blood of IVF-born infants shows no difference in quality or therapeutic value compared to infants born from natural pregnancies. However, in some cases, the collected blood volume may be affected by delivery conditions (such as premature birth or multiple pregnancies), but these cases are rare.
Important Tips for Cord Blood Storage in IVF Pregnancy If your pregnancy was achieved through IVF and you wish to store your baby's cord blood, pay attention to the following points:
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Early coordination with the cord blood bank In IVF pregnancies, the delivery date is usually more predetermined. Therefore, it is best to contact Royan Cord Blood Bank from the 34th week of pregnancy to complete the registration and kit delivery process.
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Coordination with the delivery team Given the possibility of a C-section or earlier birth, it is essential that the medical team is aware of your intention to collect cord blood.
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Consultation with specialized advisors Royan Cord Blood Bank advisors can provide more accurate guidance on the possibility of successful collection and future use of stem cells, taking into account the specific conditions of IVF.
Cord Blood Storage; A Guarantee for Future Health In infertility treatment with IVF, couples incur significant financial, physical, and emotional costs to achieve pregnancy. In such circumstances, storing the newborn's cord blood is considered a health investment for the child's and family's future. This not only allows for the use of stem cells in case of illness but also increases the parents' peace of mind.
Why Royan Cord Blood Bank? Royan Cord Blood Bank, with over 20 years of experience, thousands of stored samples, and an experienced scientific team, is the largest and most reputable private cord blood bank in the country. Modern equipment, a safe storage process, and the therapeutic usability of samples in medical centers inside and outside the country have made Royan Bank the first choice for informed parents.
Final Word If you are one of the parents who have achieved the dream of having a child with the help of IVF, now is the time to protect your newborn from future diseases by storing their cord blood. Contact the advisors at Royan Cord Blood Bank to get more information and make a confident decision. End of content/