| What is IVIg? | | | | nurse, the very first time you receive treatment you |
| Using donor blood that has been washed and | | | | will need to visit your fertility specialist. The first |
| processed, IVIg is made up of human-derived | | | | infusion is always done in a clinical setting under |
| antibodies. These antibodies help to keep your | | | | proper supervision in case you experience a severe |
| immune system from recognizing an embryo or fetus | | | | reaction to the drug. |
| as foreign and attacking it. More specifically, IVIg aids | | | | In order to guard against unpleasant side effects, |
| in minimizing the actions of natural killer (NK) cells. | | | | IVIg infusion must be done slowly. This means that |
| Amplified levels of NK cells can prevent an embryo | | | | one session can take several hours to complete. |
| from implanting as well as interfere with the proper | | | | However, if you seem to be dealing with the |
| development of the placenta, which in turn prevents | | | | treatment well with minimal side effects, it may be |
| the embryo from developing normally. All of these | | | | possible to complete treatment sessions sooner. Just |
| factors can result in a miscarriage. | | | | how much IVIg a person should receive can vary as |
| Precisely how IVIg works is not entirely clear. It is | | | | dosage is calculated according to your weight. |
| thought that the drug may block those antibodies | | | | Side Effects of IVIg Treatment |
| that cause your body to reject a pregnancy. | | | | There are a variety of side effects associated with |
| However, it is also speculated that IVIg may work | | | | IVIg infusions. Typical side effects include: |
| by soaking up and defusing the harmful antibodies | | | | - Fever and chills |
| that can interfere with a pregnancy. | | | | - Nausea |
| Who is IVIg Intended For? | | | | - Back pain |
| In general, women who have elevated levels of | | | | - Headache |
| natural killer cells resulting in recurrent miscarriages are | | | | - Skin irritation at the site of infusion |
| thought to benefit the most from IVIg treatment. | | | | - Occasionally, pain in arm during infusion |
| Yet, recent research has also shown a connection | | | | Just how severely you will notice these side effects |
| between increased natural killer cell activity and | | | | depends upon the amount of IVIg you receive and |
| antiphospholipid antibodies (APA): it appears that | | | | for how long. Generally, those receiving lower, |
| those with APA are more likely to have elevated NK | | | | shorter dosages report fewer side effects than |
| cells. | | | | those women who receive a three-day dose. In |
| Typically, women whose miscarriage problems were | | | | some cases, side effects can take a while to appear, |
| linked with APA were treated exclusively with heparin | | | | causing a delayed reaction to occur 24 to 72 hours |
| and aspirin. Because of the relationship between APA | | | | after treatment. Some women notice that they are |
| and NK cells, however, more fertility specialists are | | | | better able to tolerate the IVIg therapy and |
| testing women affected by APA for NK cells as well. | | | | experience fewer side effects as they continue with |
| If there are elevated levels of NK cells, then these | | | | the treatment. |
| women will likely be treated with IVIg instead of the | | | | Cost and Success |
| common treatments for APA. | | | | IVIg therapy can greatly improve your chances of |
| IVIG Infusion Therapy | | | | having a successful pregnancy after recurrent |
| In general, IVIg therapy should be started from the | | | | miscarriage. Some studies have shown a success rate |
| first month of pregnancy and continue until the 28th | | | | as high as 80% with IVIg treatment. However, this |
| week of pregnancy. However, there is some | | | | type of fertility treatment does come with a hefty |
| evidence to suggest that administering IVIg infusions | | | | price tag. |
| even before pregnancy occurs may be beneficial in | | | | Depending on how much IVIg is required for your |
| preventing miscarriage. IVIg therapy is often done | | | | treatment, each dose could cost as much as $1500. |
| monthly and doses can be given anywhere from one | | | | This means that receiving IVIg therapy during your |
| to three consecutive days. | | | | pregnancy could cost in excess of $10,000. |
| Because IVIg is administered intravenously, to | | | | Unfortunately, many insurance companies do not |
| receive this treatment, an IV catheter will be inserted | | | | cover IVIg therapy (although it doesn't hurt to |
| into a vein in your hand or lower arm. This will allow | | | | contact your insurance provider to double check). As |
| the IVIg solution to slowly drip into the vein and | | | | a result, not every couple will be able to afford this |
| enter your system. Although IVIg can be | | | | treatment. |
| administered in your home under the supervision of a | | | | |