Will IVF work for you? What are your chances of getting pregnant during an IVF cycle? How can you know if your IVF treatment will be a success? IVF is one of the most effective Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) in the world, but whether it will be effective for you in particular depends on a wide range of circumstances. The truth is, no one can tell you for sure whether IVF is the answer you are looking for, but there are some important factors which can affect the probable outcome of IVF treatment.
Jenn:
After the bad news we received from Dr. X, I cried a lot and just took time to think. From trying naturally to finding out I had low ovarian reserve to going through a failed IVF cycle, well, it was all just devastating. It took a huge emotional toll. I felt very alone in the IVF process. My home life and relationship with Peter became a lonely place.
When you are considering IVF as an option for growing your family, there are many aspects to consider. The emotional, physical and medical facets of the decision are at the forefront, but the financial side of Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) is a serious consideration for many prospective parents. Insurance coverage may be incomplete or non-existent, and paying for these complex procedures out of pocket is a significant investment. Breaking down the price of a typical IVF cycle into its separate components and understanding the many factors which can affect the total cost will help you to understand what to expect.
Peter:
No, I'm not talking about that kind of baby talk. Not the kind of talk some people use when talking to infants. That's not what I mean here. What I mean is talking about wanting a baby. All the time.
Egg retrieval is a pivotal moment in your IVF journey. There has been a lot of lead up to this day, and you may be feeling quite a mix of emotions: excitement, anxiety, or even fear. If this is your first cycle, you may have many questions about the preparation, procedure and recovery. Understanding exactly what will happen through the entire egg retrieval process can help to set your mind at ease.
Jenn:
I have wanted to be a mom for as long as I can remember. From the days of being a little girl carrying my “baby” everywhere up until today. I believe that we all have our expressions in the world and mine is being a mother.
Fertility specialists run a wide battery of tests when assessing a patient for fertility treatments like IVF. The existing tests do a pretty good job determining who may be a good candidate, but they are not foolproof. In some cases, a patient may have promising preliminary test results and the quality of the embryos created during the cycle may be excellent, but still every round of IVF attempted ends unsuccessfully. It is a terrible situation for the patient and for the doctors, who are unable to explain why this woman is unsuccessful when so many other IVF patients are able to carry a baby to term.
Jenn and I met on eHarmony. She played hard to get, but that’s for a different blog.
Jenn and I are pretty used to getting what we want in life. We ask, hustle, deal, work. So after we realized that we could indeed make a life together (my antics test Jenn’s patience daily, but I digress yet again) we talked about starting a family.
If you’re considering IVF, you’ve probably got a million questions. The road to fertility can be demanding, and many patients come to us with stories of frustration, confusion, heartache, and helplessness. Our role is to support you both medically and emotionally right from the start, and one of the best ways we can do that is through education. If we can give you a clear understanding of all the treatment options available, it will be easier for you to feel confident and in control throughout the whole process.
I went out to dinner a couple of weeks ago with the newest member of the SCRC team, Dr. Carolyn Alexander… well actually, we were invited to attend the same dinner. And it wasn’t just any dinner. This one was in honor of a Royal Highness.
