Intended Parents

What to Do When IVF Keeps Failing


Next Steps for Hope and Healing

Repeated IVF failures can leave you feeling heartbroken, exhausted and unsure of what to do next. Despite these setbacks, it’s important to remember that there are still ways to make your dreams of parenthood a reality.

To explore your options with our team, fill out our form to get started.

Whether it’s looking at alternative fertility treatments, seeking a second opinion or considering family-building options like surrogacy, there are paths you can take that can make parenting a reality.

IVF Keeps Failing: What’s Next?

If your IVF failed again, there are concrete steps you can take to better understand why and what to do next. You don’t have to make decisions immediately, but having a roadmap can help you feel more in control of your journey.

Exploring Alternative Options
  • Egg or Embryo Donation

    If your eggs or embryos are not viable, using donor eggs or embryos can increase your chances of a successful pregnancy.

  • Talk to Your Fertility Specialist

    Your fertility doctor is the best resource for understanding why IVF isn’t working for you. Ask about additional tests or treatment adjustments, such as immune testing or changing your medication protocol.

  • Get a second opinion

    Sometimes, a new perspective or different treatment protocols can make all the difference. Don’t hesitate to ask for a second opinion—it could provide you with insights your original doctor missed. 

    If you’ve already done one or more of these things, then it may be time for surrogacy.

    Moving from IVF to Surrogacy

    Surrogacy may feel like a big shift, but it can offer renewed hope, especially for those with remaining embryos from previous IVF cycles. Surrogacy allows you to continue using your own genetic material, which often makes this option feel like a continuation rather than a new start.

    Instead of going through another round of IVF, choosing surrogacy can provide a more reliable path to parenthood, especially when facing conditions like unexplained infertility, maternal age or uterine health issues.

    View available surrogate situations here.

    How Surrogates Are Screened

    Surrogacy can be successful where IVF has been challenging because surrogates are specifically screened for their physical and mental readiness to carry a pregnancy. Potential surrogates go through extensive medical screenings including:

    Only those who are proven to have a healthy reproductive history and pass a thorough psychological screening are selected. This high standard helps reduce the uncertainty many couples face when dealing with IVF. When factors like autoimmune disorders or other health issues have made conception difficult or risky, a healthy surrogate can offer a safer and more reliable environment for embryo development.

    Reach out to our team to take your next steps or learn more about moving on from IVF here.

    Why Does IVF Keep Failing?

    Embryo quality is one of the leading causes of repeated IVF failure. Not all embryos are genetically viable, which means they may not be able to implant in the uterus or continue to grow into a healthy pregnancy. Genetic screening, such as PGT (preimplantation genetic testing), can sometimes help identify viable embryos, but it doesn’t guarantee success.

    Another common reason IVF keeps failing is problems with the uterus, such as thin or poorly developed uterine lining, fibroids, or polyps. These issues can prevent successful implantation of the embryo. Your fertility specialist may suggest tests like a hysteroscopy to check the health of your uterus.

    IVF success also depends on hormonal balance. If your body doesn’t respond well to the medications used to stimulate egg production, or if hormone levels are off during the luteal phase, it can impact implantation and pregnancy.

    How to Cope With Multiple Failed IVF Transfers

    You’ve invested time, energy and your hopes into each cycle, only to face disappointment. The emotional weight can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to give yourself space to grieve and heal.

    Read More: Overcoming IVF Failure

    Don’t Lose Hope – There Are Paths Forward

    Repeated IVF failures don’t mean the end of your dream to become a parent. While it’s normal to feel discouraged, there are still options that can help you build your family, whether that’s through a new treatment strategy or surrogacy.

    The journey may not look exactly how you imagined it, but with support and guidance, you can find a path forward. Interested in exploring other family building methods? Contact us online now to connect with our team and get the answers you need.

    Male and Female couple smiling with surrogate mother
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