IVF Process, IVF Cost, and IVF Success Rates

For those who are having difficulty conceiving a child, the thought of continuing on without anybody to continue your legacy may often feel unbearable. Few events in one’s life are more fulfilling and meaningful then having children, and few people wish to be deprived of such a significant experience. Luckily, thanks to numerous advancements in scientific technology, those who are having difficulty conceiving a child can still experience the numerous joys of being a parent through a procedure known as “in vitro fertilization” (IVF).

What exactly is the IVF process?

In order for those who are having difficulty conceiving a child to become pregnant, it is often necessary to undergo the IVF process.  IVF is a very advanced, complicated procedure that is only used when other types of infertility treatments have proven unsuccessful.  During IVF, a woman’s eggs must first be harvested from the womb. Next, a male partner’s sperm is collected and combined with the eggs in an incubator in order to allow the eggs to grow. Once the embryos have been formed, they then must be injected into the women’s uterus. Before this process can begin, however, the female must undergo multiple treatments to prepare her.

The first treatment of the IVF process is intended in order to increase a female’s fertility. During this treatment, the female is administered a drug that will induce the ovaries to produce more eggs. In addition to the first drug, it is not uncommon for females to also be given the hormone Lupron in order to prevent the egg from being released prematurely. By taking these steps, the chances that healthy eggs can be harvested successfully will increase dramatically.

After the first treatment, the next step of the IVF process is to remove the eggs. When the eggs will be removed can depend on multiple factors and is best determined by maintaining regular visits with your doctor. Once the eggs are ready to be removed, the female must then be anesthetized and have a special needle inserted into her. This needle is guided by advanced ultrasound technology to carefully extract the eggs from the womb and remove them without damaging them.

The final step of the IVF process is to insert the eggs back into the uterus. At this point, the eggs will have been combined with sperm and will have formed an embryo. In order to insert them, a special catheter is used that enters through the cervix and safely deposits the embryos. Multiple embryos are saved after the egg and sperm have been combined so that in the event the first try fails, the last step of the IVF process can be repeated multiple times in order to increase IVF success rates.

What is the average IVF cost?

Before committing oneself to the IVF process, one essential factor to consider is the average IVF cost. Although the IVF cost can vary dramatically depending on the region and the specific circumstances of the female, the average cost tends to be a base of $10,000-$12,000 per cycle.

Although the base IVF cost typically ranges between $10,000-$12,000, it is not uncommon for clinics to charge additional fees for extra services that can be highly beneficial for your baby. For example, many potential mothers will wish to receive a preimplantation genetic diagnosis to help determine any genetic problems that may arise, which will add roughly $3,500 to the IVF cost. Additionally, when the male partner is suffering from infertility problems, it may be necessary to perform an intracytoplasmic sperm injection in order to maximize chances of a successful fertilization. Unfortunately, performing an intracytoplasmic sperm injection will add roughly $1,500 to the IVF cost.

Additionally, it is imperative to note that $10,000-$12,000 is the average IVF cost per cycle. Sadly, it is not uncommon for a potential mother to require multiple cycles in order to increase IVF success rates and have a successful pregnancy. If a mother must go through the IVF process three times before she is successfully able to become pregnant, this will bring the total IVF cost up to $30,000.

Fortunately, one way to dramatically decrease the IVF cost is through the help of insurance. Many insurances exist that will cover a large portion of the fees for those who cannot conceive a child due to medical reasons.

What are typical IVF success rates?

In addition to the average IVF cost, another essential factor to consider before undergoing the IVF process is the average IVF success rates. In the past, the level of success that could typically be achieved with IVF was disturbingly low. Fortunately, numerous scientific advancements have increased the average IVF success rates dramatically.

Above all, the most prominent factor to affect IVF success rates is the age of the female. In general, females who are below 35 years of age have between 41%-47% chance of becoming pregnant due to the IVF process. Those between 35-37 years of age have between 31%-38% chance of becoming pregnant. Those who are older than 37 years old have roughly 20%-30% chance of getting pregnant.

In addition to maternal age, numerous additional factors can affect IVF success rates as well. Duration of infertility, bFSH and number of oocytes, alcohol and caffeine intake, and number of embryos transferred are each noteworthy factors that can also play a large role in one’s outcome.