Are IVF Babies Less Healthy? What the Research Really Shows | #180

In this episode of Healthy As A Mother, Leah and Morgan unpack one of the biggest fears many women have when considering IVF: Are IVF babies less healthy? They explore what the research actually shows around premature birth, low birth weight, NICU admissions, congenital heart defects, allergies, eczema, asthma, and autism. More importantly, they ask whether those outcomes can truly be attributed to IVF itself. They discuss the many variables that can complicate the research, including the underlying causes of infertility, parental age, sperm and egg health, metabolic and autoimmune conditions, pregnancy complications, and the amount of medical intervention surrounding IVF. They also cover epigenetics, microbiome health, induction and C-sections, baby aspirin, pregnancy monitoring, and why optimizing both parents' health before IVF may matter. Ultimately, this is a conversation about moving beyond fear and black-and-white thinking to look at IVF with more nuance, critical thinking, and hope. The hosts also share their personal experiences with IVF and why they believe it can be an important tool when it is truly needed, while still questioning how intentionally it is used. 00:00 – Trailer & Introduction03:45 – Are IVF Babies Less Healthy?05:34 – The Fear of IVF and Baby Health07:05 – What the Research Actually Shows09:26 – Relative Risk vs. Absolute Risk10:33 – Is IVF Really the Cause?10:59 – The Underlying Causes of Infertility14:32 – Sperm Health, Egg Selection & Epigenetics17:47 – Could IVF Itself Affect Health?20:09 – Does IVF Bypass Natural Selection?22:29 – How Parental Health Can Affect the Baby25:27 – Are We Too Far Outside of Nature?27:21 – IVF, Autism & What the Research Can't Tease Apart31:17 – The Problem With How We Study IVF35:09 – Could AI Change Medical Research?37:14 – Why Patterns and Clinical Experience Matter40:00 – The Absence of Evidence Is Not Evidence of Absence41:55 – How to Think Critically About Research42:53 – IVF and Congenital Heart Defects43:45 – IVF, Allergies, Eczema & the Microbiome46:04 – Pregnancy Monitoring After IVF47:19 – Do IVF Patients Need Baby Aspirin?48:46 – The Problem With Too Much Intervention51:28 – IVF, Induction & C-Sections54:27 – Could Birth Interventions Affect Baby Health?56:10 – Are IVF Babies Actually Different?57:19 – IVF as a Tool, Not a Failure58:46 – How to Optimize Health Before IVF59:59 – Using IVF Intentionally62:00 – Finding Your Own “Edge” Around IVF64:03 – Your IVF Decisions Are Yours65:11 – A Message of Hope Resources From This Episode:Dirty Genes by Ben Lynch - https://www.drbenlynch.com/Join Dr. Leah's Womanhood Wellness membership! - www.womanhoodwellness.comDownload Dr. Leah's FREE Optimizing IVF Guide! - https://drleahgordon.com/ivf-freebieDownload Dr. Leah's FREE Investigating Infertility Guide! - https://drleahgordon.com/infertility-freebie Healthy As A Mother Podcast | YouTubeHealthy As A Mother Podcast | InstagramHealthy As A Mother Podcast | TikTokHealthy As A Mother Podcast | Merch Store Find more from Dr. Leah:Dr. Leah Gordon | InstagramDr. Leah Gordon | WebsiteWomanhood Wellness | Website Find more from Dr. Morgan:Dr. Morgan MacDermott | InstagramDr. Morgan MacDermott | Website Use code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 10% at EarthleyUse code HEALTHYMOTHER and save 15% at RedmondFor 20% off your first order at Needed, use code HEALTHYMOTHERSave $260 at Lumebox, use code HEALTHYASAMOTHERUse code HAAM and save 10% at Fond