What is IVF for Infertility?

Key Points:

• If you’re struggling with infertility, IVF is a treatment you can pursue.
• The IVF process typically consists of 7 steps.
• Surrogacy is an alternative family-building option that can fulfill your dreams of becoming parents.

If you’re struggling with infertility, you’ve likely done a lot of research on what your treatment options are. You’ve probably seen or heard the phrase IVF or in vitro fertilization. So, what is it exactly?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) involves medical procedures that help create a child. A couple can use IVF fertility treatment to try and conceive, or IVF is used to create a pregnancy in gestational surrogacy.

Speak with a specialist today!

Continue reading if you’d like to learn the basics of IVF fertility treatment before reaching out to a professional.

Disclaimer: You should always speak to a medical professional if you think you’re experiencing infertility. This article is only intended for educational purposes and should not be taken as medical advice.

What is IVF for Infertility?

IVF is used if a doctor determines it’s the best way for a person or a couple to conceive.

Why do Couples Use IVF for Infertility?

According to the Mayo Clinic, IVF is used to help people conceive who are concerned about passing on certain hereditary traits or infertility. Doctors may suggest a couple try other types of infertility treatments (medication, IUI, etc.) before suggesting IVF because it’s more invasive and expensive.

A medical professional may offer IVF as the primary treatment for infertility if you or your partner :

• Are a woman over 40
• Have certain health conditions
• Experienced fallopian tube damage or blockage
• Have ovulation disorders, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, previous tubal ligation, or impaired sperm production
• Are experiencing unexplained infertility

What’s the IVF for Infertility Process?

After a doctor determines that IVF fertility treatment is the best option for you, you or your partner will go through the following IVF steps.

Step 1: Undergo Screening

Before you and your partner start an IVF fertility treatment cycle, your doctor may perform a few screenings to ensure IVF could work.

Step 2: Take Fertility Medications

A doctor will likely prescribe different fertility medications. These medications will:

• Stimulate egg production
• Help eggs mature
• Prevent premature ovulation
• Prepare the uterus lining

Step 3: Pre-Retrieval Tests

Next, a doctor will run a few tests to determine if eggs are ready for collection.

These tests include:

• A vaginal ultrasound
• Blood tests

Step 4: Sperm Production

You or your partner will provide a sperm sample combined with the eggs.

Step 5: Insemination at a Fertility Clinic

During this step, the eggs and sperm are combined and stored in a dish at the fertility clinic to encourage fertilization. If the doctor thinks there is a lower chance of fertilization, they may use intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Once cell division happens, the fertilized eggs are considered embryos.

Step 6: Prepare for Transfer

The embryo transfer typically happens three to five days after egg retrieval and fertilization. The transfer will happen at your doctor’s office or fertility clinic.

During the transfer, the following happens:

• A small tube (catheter) is inserted into the vagina, through the cervix, and into the uterus.
• The doctor uses a syringe to place one or more embryos into the uterus.

If the transfer is successful, the embryo will implant into the uterus lining in six to 10 days.

Step 7: IVF for Infertility Results

After 12 days, a doctor will do a blood test to confirm pregnancy. If a pregnancy is confirmed, you or your partner will begin to see an OBGYN. If pregnancy isn’t confirmed, you and your partner have a few choices:

• Try another round of IVF fertility treatment
• Try another family-building option, like gestational surrogacy

Surrogacy and IVF for Infertility

You and your partner may decide to pursue gestational surrogacy for several reasons. Some common reasons include:

• You or your partner is unable to become pregnant or could endanger their health by becoming pregnant
• You or your partner don’t want to pursue IVF for Infertility anymore
• You or your partner (or you both) are unable to become pregnant and need to use a gamete donor

Infertility Grief

It’s common for men and women to feel a range of emotions – even grief – upon discovering they cannot grow their family as they originally envisioned. Give yourself time to work through these feelings and know that infertility is not your fault.

Before pursuing other family-building options, make sure you are both on the same page and ready to pursue other paths to parenthood.

Surrogacy Basics

Surrogacy involves a gestational carrier and intended parents. The surrogate mother carries a baby for the intended parents and is unrelated to the baby.

Although intended parents could pursue independent surrogacy, it’s best to work with a surrogacy agency. Surrogacy agencies ensure your surrogacy is 100% legal while providing other vital services essential to your surrogacy’s success.

If you are looking for a surrogacy agency to help you start your surrogacy journey, consider starting with this list:

• American Surrogacy
• Circle Surrogacy
• Growing Generations
• Creating Families
• Simple Surrogacy

How is an Embryo Created?

An embryo is created using gametes from you and your partner, donors, or a combination. Once the embryo is made in a fertility clinic via IVF, it’s transferred to the surrogate.

How Much Does Surrogacy Cost?

Surrogacy typically costs anywhere from $60,000 to $150,000. These fees cover:

• A surrogate’s medical needs, legal fees, and pregnancy costs
• Surrogacy agency services

Common Surrogacy Steps

Generally, all surrogacies have the following steps that intended parents go through.

• Step 1: Decide surrogacy is right for you and find a surrogacy agency
• Step 2: Undergo surrogacy screenings with the support of your surrogacy professional
• Step 3: Match with a surrogate and sign a surrogacy contract
• Step 4: Enjoy pre-delivery visits to enjoy the pregnancy and watch your baby grow
• Step 5: Take your baby home and enjoy parenthood

Surrogacy Considerations

Using IVF as an infertility treatment option is valid and viable, but costs can add up. This is especially true if you and your partner try multiple IVF rounds. When you use IVF with surrogacy and work with an agency, your family is guaranteed a pregnancy.

Next Steps Toward Using IVF for Infertility and Considering Surrogacy

IVF is a wonderful way to grow your family. But, don’t blame yourself if it doesn’t work for you.

Contact us today to learn how IVF and surrogacy can help you and your partner start your family.