IVF facts and success rates
My guy and I were decidedly lucky when it came to having kids the new-fashioned way. We are in our 50s, and I am fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to raise my daughter and son from a former marriage, who are well launched, and he has spent the past 30 years or so wishing he had kids. After a lot of conversations and consideration, we decided to look into an egg donor and surrogate, and let the chips fall where they may. Fast forward about four years, which includes some significant trial and error along with a lot of hope, we became the parents of twin boys. Medicine and technology have been improving by leaps and bounds over the past few decades, and the results are impressive. We decided to give it one good shot, and found a surrogate willing to carry twins if we were fortunate enough for that to come to fruition. When the time came, she was implanted with two embryos (we could have asked for three, but were not willing to make the painful decision of narrowing it down to two if all three “took”). We found out early on that the two sacks containing the embryos were visible, but only one was viable. The other sack looked empty and would disappear with time. We were happy to have one healthy embryo growing as hoped, and decided having one child was wonderful. Three appointments later, our surrogate called us to tell us the mind-blowing news… the other sack did in fact contain a viable embryo, and we would be parents of twins in about seven months.
In vitro fertilization (IVF) has revolutionized the field of reproductive medicine, offering hope to couples struggling with having a baby “the old fashioned way”. As a sophisticated assisted reproductive technology, IVF has enabled millions of individuals to fulfill their dreams of parenthood. However, the process can be financially and emotionally taxing, and understanding the associated costs, statistics, and available options is crucial for those considering this path to starting a family.
IVF involves the fertilization of an egg with sperm outside the body in a laboratory setting. The process typically begins with ovarian stimulation, during which the woman receives fertility medications to encourage the development of multiple mature eggs. These eggs are then retrieved and combined with sperm in a laboratory dish, where fertilization occurs. The resulting embryos are cultured for a few days before one or more are transferred to the woman's uterus, with the hope that implantation will lead to a successful pregnancy.
The cost of IVF can vary significantly based on several factors, including geographic location, clinic reputation, the specific procedures required, and any additional services such as genetic testing. On average, a single cycle of IVF in the United States can cost between $12,000 and $15,000, not including the price of medications, which can range from $3,000 to $5,000 per cycle. Furthermore, many couples require multiple cycles to achieve a successful pregnancy. While some insurance plans provide coverage for certain aspects of fertility treatment, including IVF, coverage is not universal, and out-of-pocket expenses can quickly accumulate.
Statistically, the success rates of IVF have steadily improved since its inception, thanks to advancements in technology and medical expertise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average live birth success rate per IVF cycle in the United States ranges from 20% to 35% for women under 35, with the likelihood of success decreasing as the woman's age increases. However, it is important to note that individual success rates can vary based on a variety of factors, including the couple's specific circumstances and the clinic's expertise.
- IVF accounts for 99% of assisted reproductive procedures in the US. Women 40-44 have an 11% chance of IVF being successful in their first attempt, which increases to up to 37% within eight cycles. Although the chromosomal quality of our eggs decreases as we age, the advancements in pre-implantation genetic screening are incredible.
Options and Alternatives for individuals or couples considering IVF may include additional assisted reproductive technologies, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), preimplantation genetic testing, and egg or sperm donation. Furthermore, some individuals may benefit from exploring alternative paths to parenthood, such as adoption or surrogacy. Advancements in ongoing research and clinical trials contribute to the development of new treatments and technologies that may offer promising alternatives to traditional IVF.
Bottom line… Maybe IVF is right for you and maybe it’s not. As life goes, men create new sperm all the time and women are born with all the eggs (millions of them) they will ever have. So as we age, their quality declines. This doesn’t mean there aren’t fabulous, viable eggs just waiting to do something useful, but it does mean the odds are not in our favor if we’re over 40, and much less so over 50. If you were born to be parents, keep in mind the options. The children of the world need people who were born to be parents, however that comes to be.
