Woman’s death will not stop demand for IVF, say group

THE death of a woman from fertility treatment complications will not deter couples desperate to have a biological child from seeking in-vitro fertilisation (IVF), an infertility support group said yesterday.

Every couple was made aware of the risks involved with IVF and most were willing to take that chance in the effort to conceive a child, said Helen Quinn, spokesperson for the National Infertility Support & Information Group (NISIG).

Ms Quinn would not comment on the death of 33-year-old Jacqueline Rushton, who died from respiratory problems arising from a combination of her ovaries producing too many eggs and a high level of oestrogen in her blood.

An inquest into the Dublin woman’s death ruled earlier this week that it was due to medical misadventure.

Mrs Rushton and her husband Daniel had been trying for children and in November 2002 they decided to begin a course of IVF treatment. Over the next two months Mrs Rushton showed an overreaction to the IVF treatment and died on January 14.

Ms Quinn said her death last year was widely reported and the support group had not received any distressed calls at that time or since. She said some members do contact NISIG when they experience adverse symptoms such as vomiting or abdominal pain and the women are always advised to contact their clinic immediately.

Ms Quinn said an estimated one-in-six couples have difficulty conceiving and many people opt for IVF as a last resort. Approximately 3,000 couples are undergoing IVF treatment, with each cycle of treatment costing between €3,000 and €3,500, she said.

“All couples are made aware of the risk of hyperstimulation and are made aware of the symptoms.

“Clinics are also capable of forewarning an onset of hyperstimulation because they are constantly monitoring egg production and hormone changes. Most women usually get through it,” Ms Quinn said.

She advised anyone thinking of undergoing IVF treatment to learn as much about the procedure as possible and to use the support group to discuss the information and ask questions.

“IVF treatment is really the last resort for couples who want to have their own biological child. That desire is very strong, no matter what the risks,” she said.

NISIG can be contracted on 1890 647 444 up to 9pm, or on www.infertilityireland.ie.