Is IVF Right for You? What You Need to Know

One of the most effective ways to treat infertility is in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF has helped thousands of couples and individuals from all over the world have healthy children of their own when previously it seemed like there may be no hope of conceiving.

You may be wondering if in vitro fertilization would be right for you. While it’s hard to give definitive answers, because only a doctor can properly diagnose you and tell you if IVF is a good solution, having the basic facts is important. If you’re struggling to conceive or you’re ready to plan your family, here is what you should know about in vitro fertilization.

What is IVF?

During an IVF procedure, fertilization occurs in the laboratory rather than in the typical biological fashion. The woman will receive hormone treatments to prepare for the procedure. These hormone treatments will stimulate the ovaries to bring eggs to maturation for the next part of the process. When ready, the eggs will be removed. This is a minor surgical procedure. Once removed, the eggs will be fertilized with the sperm of the male partner or that of a donor to create an embryo. From there, the embryo is then placed in the uterus and the pregnancy continues like it normally would.

How does IVF work?

In vitro fertilization is an appropriate fertility solution for a variety of scenarios where certain life circumstances or medical conditions are making achieving pregnancy difficult. The goal is to bypass the issue that is making conceiving difficult with medical assistance. During IVF, an embryo is placed directly into the woman’s uterus to go through with the pregnancy. This allows you to overcome complications that may have arisen from fallopian tube blockage or damage, ovulation disorders, ovarian failure endometriosis, uterine fibroids, and tubal ligation. IVF can also assist when the fertility issue lies with the quality of the sperm. It can help circumvent issues stemming from impaired sperm function or production.

Of course, success rates are always on the minds of hopeful parents. So, it’s important to put some things in perspective. The overall success rate of in vitro fertilization is 30-40% when talking about women under the age of 35. This success rate does diminish with age and your overall health will also be a factor in how high the chance of a successful pregnancy is. Also consider, that while 30-40% may seem like a low number, when compared to the chances of naturally getting pregnant during any month cycle the numbers aren’t all that dissimilar.

Ideal for same sex couples

IVF is the primary fertility treatment for same sex couples. It has allowed many couples to have biological children of their own by using a combination of one partner’s sperm or egg and a donor to complete the process. When dealing with IVF as a solution for a male couple, there will also be a need for a surrogate to carry out the pregnancy. You’ll discuss the entire process with your doctor, who will help you navigate any additional steps needed.

Conclusion

Having difficulty getting pregnant can be an emotionally trying time. Any kind of family planning period can bring many questions and anxiousness about what the next step should be. That’s why it’s so important to speak to a medical professional if you’re having difficulty or you’re not sure what the next step is. At Global Fertility & Genetics, we’ve helped couples and individuals from New York and all over the world reach their dream of starting a family. If you’d like to know more about IVF and if it’s right for you, contact us today. Our team is here to provide you with the information and care you need.