Women who get pregnant via in vitro fertilization (IVF) may have a higher risk of placenta previa, a condition in which the placenta blocks all or part of the cervix. Placenta previa can cause the woman to hemorrhage and increases the risk of a premature birth or other delivery problems.
Researchers at St. Olavs University Hospital in Trondheim, Norway, calculated that the risk rose from about three in 1000 pregnancies to 16 in 1000 for women who used IVF. The risk also rose for women who used IVF for a second pregnancy, but not the first. The scientists are not sure why IVF causes these results, but think it may have to do with embryos implanting lower than normal.
My partner and I conceived our son through IVF. Would we have chosen differently had we known this? Probably not, but we might have asked our doctor some more questions. You may wish to talk with yours if you’re considering IVF.
Placenta previa is also more common among older women. Likewise many women undergoing IVF are also older. So I hope the study that links placenta previa with IVF controlled for age — otherwise they’re really just seeing an age effect.
Yes, the study controlled for age.