AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only): it can lead to multiple births which are a risk to both the babies and the mother.
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and hormone treatments for infertility are exclusively Higher Tier topics.
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and hormone treatments for infertility are exclusively Higher Tier topics. Fertility drugs use FSH to stimulate several eggs to mature and LH to trigger ovulation. This superovulation can lead to multiple births if fertilised naturally. In IVF, multiple embryos may be transferred to the uterus, which also increases the chance of twins or triplets. Multiple births significantly increase risks for babies, including premature delivery and low birth mass. They also pose severe risks to the mother, such as high blood pressure and complications requiring a caesarean section.
What earns the marks
- FSH stimulates multiple eggs to mature, while LH triggers their ovulation; this can lead to multiple births even without IVF.
- Transferring more than one embryo during IVF also significantly increases the chance of multiple births.
- Multiple births, such as twins or triplets, carry a higher risk of premature birth and low birth mass for the babies.
- Maternal risks associated with multiple pregnancies include high blood pressure and severe bleeding.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Assuming multiple births are a purely positive outcome.
Put it right by explaining the severe medical risks to both mother and babies.
Stating that IVF is the only cause of multiple births.
Put it right by explaining that fertility drugs (FSH and LH) alone can cause multiple eggs to be released and fertilised.
Listing only the risks to the babies.
Put it right: Explicitly including maternal risks like high blood pressure.
Exam tips
- As this is a Higher Tier only topic, expect questions to require evaluation of the risks and benefits of fertility treatments, rather than just recall.
- Always specify risks for both the mother (e.g. high blood pressure) and the babies (e.g. premature birth) to gain full marks.
- Remember to distinguish between FSH (matures eggs) and LH (triggers ovulation) when explaining how hormones can lead to multiple births.
Try the lesson
The start of the The use of hormones to treat infertility (HT only): 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
Hormone treatment for infertility can stimulate more than one egg to be released. Which statement best describes a consequence of this?
Listen
In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and hormone treatments for infertility are exclusively Higher Tier topics. Fertility drugs use FSH to stimulate several eggs to mature and LH to trigger ovulation. This superovulation can lead to multiple births if fertilised naturally. In IVF, multiple embryos may be transferred to the uterus, which also increases the chance of twins or triplets. Multiple births significantly increase risks for babies, including premature delivery and low birth mass. They also pose severe risks to the mother, such as high blood pressure and complications requiring a caesarean section. A strong answer earns marks for these points. FSH stimulates multiple eggs to mature, while LH triggers their ovulation; this can lead to multiple births even without IVF. Transferring more than one embryo during IVF also significantly increases the chance of multiple births. Multiple births, such as twins or triplets, carry a higher risk of premature birth and low birth mass for the babies. Maternal risks associated with multiple pregnancies include high blood pressure and severe bleeding. A common slip: Assuming multiple births are a purely positive outcome. Instead, explaining the severe medical risks to both mother and babies. Exam tip: As this is a Higher Tier only topic, expect questions to require evaluation of the risks and benefits of fertility treatments, rather than just recall.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
multiple births
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maternal risks
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
evaluate
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See every definition
- multiple births
- Twins or triplets, which carry a higher risk of premature birth and low birth mass for the babies.
- maternal risks
- Risks to the mother associated with multiple pregnancies, including high blood pressure and severe bleeding.
- evaluate
- Balancing the risks of multiple births against the benefits of a successful pregnancy.
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