[Course of pregnancy following in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer]

Worldwide analysis of pregnancies after IVF/ET allows the evaluation of the pregnancy outcome compared to normal population. The mean age of IVF-patients is significantly higher. The incidence of clinical abortions after IVF/ET is within normal range, correlating rather with age than with treatment modalities. The rate of multiple gestations is increased after IVF/ET as well as GIFT or hMG-stimulation, leading to more high risk pregnancies. Gestosis is seen in 7% of singletons and 17% of triplet pregnancies. Preterm deliveries before 36 weeks of gestation occur in 17% of singleton and 52% of twin pregnancies after IVF/ET (control 7.3%). This leads to an increasing rate of caesarean section. The global malformation rate is 2% and in a comparable range to normal population. A presumably higher incidence of neural tube defects has to be proven in a larger number of IVF pregnancies.