IVF

IVF (in vitro fertilization) is a type of fertility treatment where eggs are combined with sperm outside of your body in a lab. It’s a method used by people who need help achieving pregnancy. IVF involves many complex steps and is an effective form of assisted reproductive technology (ART).

 

What is IVF?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a type of assisted reproductive technology (ART) where sperm and an egg are fertilized outside of the human body. IVF is a complex process that involves retrieving eggs from ovaries and manually combining them with sperm in a lab for fertilization. Several days after fertilization, the fertilized egg (now called an embryo) is placed inside a uterus. Pregnancy occurs when this embryo implants itself into the uterine wall.

 

Why is IVF performed?

People choose IVF for many reasons, including infertility issues or when one partner has an existing health condition. Some people will try IVF after other fertility methods have failed or if they’re at an advanced maternal age. IVF is also a reproductive option for same-sex couples or people who wish to have a baby without a partner.

 

IVF is an option if you or your partner has:

  •     Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes.
  •     Endometriosis.
  •     Low sperm count or other sperm impairments.
  •     Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or other ovarian conditions.
  •     Uterine fibroids.
  •     Problems with your uterus.
  •     Risk of passing on a genetic disease or disorder.
  •     Unexplained infertility.
  •     Are using an egg donor or a gestational surrogate.

 

How long is the IVF process from beginning to end?

IVF is a complicated process with many steps. On average, you can expect the process to last four to six weeks. This includes the time before egg retrieval, when a person takes fertility medication until they’re tested for pregnancy.

 

How common is IVF?

Approximately 5% of couples with infertility will try IVF. More than 8 million babies have been born from IVF since 1978. It’s one of the most effective assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) available.

 

What are the steps of IVF treatment?

  • Birth control pills or estrogen
  • Ovarian stimulation
  • Fertilization
  • Embryo development
  • Embryo transfer

 

What do you do to prepare for IVF treatment?

Before starting IVF treatment, you’ll need a thorough medical exam and fertility tests. Your partner will be examined and tested as well. Some of the preparation you’ll go through includes:

  •     IVF consultation (meet with healthcare providers to discuss the details of the IVF process).
  •     A uterine exam, up-to-date Pap test and mammogram (if over 40).
  •     A semen analysis.
  •     Screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and other infectious diseases.
  •     Ovarian reserve testing, and blood and urine tests.
  •     Instructions on how to administer fertility medications.
  •     Genetic carrier screening.
  •     Sign consent forms.
  •     Uterine cavity evaluation (hysteroscopy or saline-infused sonography (SIS)).

Your healthcare provider will have you start supplementing with folic acid at least three months before embryo transfer.

 

How much does IVF cost?

The average cost of an IVF cycle in the United States is $15,000. This doesn’t include the cost of medication, which can cost approximately $5,000 per cycle. It’s hard to give an exact amount because the cost depends on your health history and plan for treatment, insurance coverage (certain states may cover treatment) and the treatment center itself.

 

What questions should I ask the fertility clinic?

Selecting a fertility clinic and undergoing IVF is an important decision. Some questions you can ask are:

  •     What’s your success rate for couples like us?
  •     What’s your live birth rate per year?
  •     What’s your pregnancy rate per embryo transfer?
  •     How many live births are multiples?
  •     How much does the procedure cost?
  •     Can we freeze and store our embryos? For how long?
  •     Do you allow for gender/sex selection?

 

Is there anything I can do to increase my chances of pregnancy with IVF?

Several factors can determine the success of IVF — some within your control and others not. These factors include:

  •     Age.
  •     Height and weight.
  •     Number of previous births.
  •     Total number of pregnancies.
  •     Using your eggs or donor eggs.
  •     Number of IVF cycles.
  •     Success rate of the fertility clinic.
  •     Health conditions.
  •     Your cause of infertility.

 

Your healthcare provider will work with you to determine how you can increase your chances of becoming pregnant using IVF based on your situation and medical history.

 

What is the success rate of IVF by age?

Data collected in the U.S .is measured per egg retrieval, not per cycle. The average percentage of live births per egg retrieval in 2019 was:

  •     Younger than 35: 46.7%
  •     Ages 35 to 37: 34.2%
  •     Ages 38 to 40: 21.6%
  •     Ages 41 to 42: 10.6%
  •     Ages 43 and up: 3.2%

 

 

 

 
Here is some videos for your IVF treatments. You can also visit our IVF BLOG page.