It is a big decision to try IVF, or in vitro fertilisation. It is expensive, and it can be difficult. Not to mention that there is no guarantee of success; Although some clinics do offer a success guarantee now, this is contingent on you having enough embryos to go through the process more than once as well as being able to afford going through more than one round of IVF treatment.

IVF (in vitro fertilization) provides a solution to many individuals and couples helping to resolve their conception issues. Deciding on IVF is a big decision, it is expensive and it can be a difficult path. IVF is often a last resort for individuals and couples who have either tried tirelessly to conceive or are unable to bear a child. The process is both time consuming and costly but for most is the only viable option to create a family in which their child is genetically linked to them. While there is no guarantee that IVF will work, with all the advancements in the last decade the success rates for IVF are high.

So why choose IVF?

Infertility

Infertility affects a large percentage of the population. It is estimated that 1 in 8 Americans suffer from infertility. Because of these numbers it is not surprising that we see a rise in the usage of fertility clinics as well as a push towards financial coverage for fertility treatments.

IVF can be used to treat infertility in patients who encounter the following problems:

  • Individuals with genetic disorders who require egg/sperm donation or wish to have their embryos genetically tested
  • Women who have had their fallopian tubes removed
  • Women with ovulation disorders or who have experienced premature ovarian failure
  • Women who have uterine fibroids
  • Men who suffer from low sperm count or low sperm mobility
  • Women who have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes
  • Men and Women who experience unexplained infertility

 

In most cases IVF treatment is sought after many failed attempts at getting pregnant or following the failure of other fertility treatments.

This is not always the case, as sometimes IVF is the first treatment sought or even the only one looked at which may be the case if:

  • A surrogate is needed
  • An egg donor is being used
  • If a woman’s fallopian tubes are blocked
  • In extreme cases of male infertility
  • If previously created or donated embryos are being used

 

The benefits of IVF go beyond just the conception of a child. With IVF healthy eggs or sperm can be frozen for use in future IVF treatments. For example, people who have cancer sometimes arrange to have their healthy eggs and sperm frozen as chemotherapy and radiology can harm fertility. This can allow them to create a family later on that is genetically linked to them.

In other cases, IVF can be a preventative measure where people or couples choose to use donor sperm or eggs to prevent passing on a genetic disorder to their children.

Always HOPE

It can be overwhelming when looking at the schedule of blood work, ultrasounds and medication, if you couple that with the cost it can be a troublesome and worrying experience, but with the right set of supports in place and a goal for your future IVF can be a wonderful experience that helps you create your family.