AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
Although fertility treatment gives a woman the chance to have a baby of…
Full specification wording
The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only): Although fertility treatment gives a woman the chance to have a baby of her own: • it is very emotionally and physically stressful • the success rates are not high • it can lead to multiple births which are a risk to both the babies and the mother.
Fertility treatment can allow a woman to carry and give birth to her own genetic child, which is a major benefit.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 7 of 7
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Fertility treatment can allow a woman to carry and give birth to her own genetic child, which is a major benefit. However, the process is demanding: hormone injections, scans and procedures can be physically uncomfortable, and the uncertainty of results can cause emotional strain. Success is not guaranteed, and many cycles do not result in a live birth, so couples may need repeated attempts. Treatment also raises the chance of multiple births because more than one embryo may be transferred or more than one egg may be released. Multiple pregnancies increase risks such as premature birth and low birth weight for babies, and complications such as high blood pressure for the mother.
What earns the marks
- Fertility treatment offers the chance of a baby genetically related to the mother.
- The treatment can be emotionally stressful because of uncertainty, repeated cycles and hormonal changes.
- The treatment can be physically stressful because of injections, scans and medical procedures.
- Success rates are not high, so several cycles may be needed and pregnancy is not guaranteed.
- Multiple births can occur and increase risks to both the babies and the mother.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Claiming fertility treatment always works.
Put it right: Success rates are not high and vary with age and cause of infertility.
Ignoring the emotional and physical stress and listing only the chance of a baby.
Stating that multiple births are risk-free.
Put it right: They carry increased risks for babies and mother.
Exam tips
- Balance benefits against risks, using the phrase ‘although’ to structure your answer.
- Give specific examples of physical stress, such as injections or scans, and emotional stress, such as uncertainty.
- Link multiple births to named risks, such as premature birth or low birth weight, rather than saying only ‘risky’.
Try the lesson
The start of the The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only): Although fertility treatment gives a woman the chance to have a baby of her own: • it is very emotionally and physically stressful • the success rates are not high • it can lead to multiple births which are a risk to both the babies and the mother. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is a fertility treatment that helps women to have a baby. Which statement describes a recognised disadvantage of this treatment?
Listen
Fertility treatment can allow a woman to carry and give birth to her own genetic child, which is a major benefit. However, the process is demanding: hormone injections, scans and procedures can be physically uncomfortable, and the uncertainty of results can cause emotional strain. Success is not guaranteed, and many cycles do not result in a live birth, so couples may need repeated attempts. Treatment also raises the chance of multiple births because more than one embryo may be transferred or more than one egg may be released. Multiple pregnancies increase risks such as premature birth and low birth weight for babies, and complications such as high blood pressure for the mother. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Fertility treatment offers the chance of a baby genetically related to the mother. The treatment can be emotionally stressful because of uncertainty, repeated cycles and hormonal changes. The treatment can be physically stressful because of injections, scans and medical procedures. Success rates are not high, so several cycles may be needed and pregnancy is not guaranteed. Exam tip: Balance benefits against risks, using the phrase ‘although’ to structure your answer.
See it
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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