Woman dies from complications arising from fertility treatment

A WOMAN receiving fertility treatment died of complications arising from the procedure, a hospital spokesperson confirmed last night.

The 33-year-old died after being transferred to intensive care at the Mater Hospital three weeks ago, according to acting master of the hospital Dr Peter McKenna. She had been receiving in-vitro fertilisation treatment (IVF) at the Rotunda Hospital.

The woman from Raheny, Co Dublin, died from ovarian hyper-stimulation, the swelling of the ovaries inside the abdominal cavity.

Fluid from the ovaries prevents blood from clotting. The lungs then fill with fluid making breathing impossible. There is also a high risk of haemorrhaging.

Dr McKenna said deaths from IVF are rare: “Because the chances of death by hyper-stimulation are so minute, our usual concerns are about multiple births and the long-term risks associated with premature deliveries.”

The Mater hospital said they do not comment on specific cases.

However, a National Infertility Support Group (NISG) spokeswoman said that, while couples do sign a consent form outlining the dangers associated with IVF, they must be made more aware.

“I really think there is not enough emphasis on the dangers of hyper-stimulation. Couples don’t seem to be properly aware of it. IVF consent forms should be studied properly, and not just skimmed through with the addition of a signature.”

She said it is usually possible to tell from a blood test if a woman is hyper-stimulating and, if so, some of the eggs she has produced will be removed. Symptoms of hyper-stimultion include nausea, diarrhoea, headaches and tenderness of the breasts.

Marion J Sims fertility clinic director Anna Hosford said that, in her seven years practising as an IVF nurse, she had seen very few cases of hyper-stimulation.

“It is a very rare occurrence, but like any sort of medical treatment, there is always that slight risk. I would caution couples getting treatment not to panic, just as they shouldn’t panic about other medical treatments.”

Former president of the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Professor John Bonnar said he found it very hard to accept the death, as modern medicine allows for the condition to be brought under control quite easily.

“The fluids imbalance in the body is usually amenable to correction, but I’m sure everything possible was done to save the woman.

“Like all aspects of treatment there are huge benefits to be gained from IVF, but sadly complications do arise.”