Published
In-vitro fertilization (IVF) provides hope for individuals and families that are struggling to get pregnant naturally.
However, it's important to understand the IVF process and what requirements are necessary to produce the best results. To help you determine if IVF is right for you, here are the main factors to consider before pursuing IVF as a fertility treatment option:
Who is a Good Candidate for IVF?
Overall, pursuing IVF treatment is traditionally a final option when a natural pregnancy simply can't occur.
Natural pregnancies may not be an option for a number of reasons, such as male and female infertility, medical conditions, a history of past surgeries, age, or injuries. That being said, deciding to undergo IVF treatment typically requires meeting a few benchmarks to ensure the greatest amount of success.
Below are several indicators that determine eligible candidates for IVF treatments:
- If you’ve been trying to conceive naturally for 6+ months without results
- If other fertility treatments in the past haven’t worked
- If you’re dealing with health challenges (e.g., PCOS, Endometriosis, male infertility such as low sperm count, tubal ligation, etc.)
- If you’re single or an LGBTQ+ couple hoping to start a family
Questions to Ask Before IVF:
Every IVF experience is different, which means that you may have questions or concerns about a specific step throughout the process.
Being proactive and making sure that you feel supported every step of the way is crucial, so to help guide you through the timeline of your IVF procedure, here are some important questions to ask beforehand:
How often do I need to get checkups/How often will I need to be monitored?
Individuals pursuing IVF typically have to come in several times to monitor how they are responding to medications and how their follicles are developing throughout the process.
Overall, an IVF patient can expect the process to last 30 days from the initial ultrasound medications to the final embryo transfer and development.
What’s the difference between fresh and frozen embryo transfers?
The main difference between a fresh and frozen embryo transfer is the timeline of insemination and development.
For instance, with fresh embryos, the transfer occurs on day 3 or 5 of the female recipient's cycle, followed by a blood test pregnancy confirmation 2 weeks after the transfer occurs.
With frozen embryos, more steps are taken to confirm ovulation and uterine health before insemination. Typically, frozen embryo transfers happen on the 6th day after a series of progesterone injections, followed by additional weeks of progesterone and estradiol doses until pregnancy test results can be seen.
Are any of the costs covered by my insurance?
This will vary by state, but IVF procedures are covered by insurance providers in New York, effective January 2020.
The new “Fertility Mandate” in New York creates many possibilities for families struggling to start a family. Plus, it inspires a new generation of acceptance and change that other states can recognize and hopefully adopt into their own insurance policies moving forward.
Schedule Your IVF Appointment Today
With a clear idea of what your IVF procedure entails, you can rest assured that a personalized plan is waiting for you at Kofinas Fertility group.
Our top fertility experts are here to help you nurture the family you've always dreamed of, so schedule an appointment today to get started.