Preparing for Your IVF Journey

In vitro fertilization (IVF) opens the door to new possibilities for building the family you’ve dreamed of. It’s a journey of hope, offering solutions for those facing fertility challenges or exploring alternative paths to parenthood. Deciding whether or not IVF is right for you can be overwhelming, but like any significant decision, asking the right questions and understanding the process can help you feel confident and prepared.

From success rates and treatment plans to potential side effects, this guide will walk you through the most common IVF questions, empowering you to approach your fertility journey with knowledge and peace of mind.

What Questions Should I Ask Before Starting IVF?

Starting IVF involves more than just scheduling appointments; it’s about understanding what’s best for you. Here are some questions you should consider asking your fertility specialist:

What are the success rates for someone with my age and ovarian reserve?

Success rates for IVF can vary depending on your unique circumstances, such as age, ovarian reserve and overall health. Women under 35 often have a live birth rate of about 44.5% per egg retrieval, while those over 42 may see rates closer to 2.9%. While age is an important factor, it’s not the only one — things like hormone levels, sperm quality and overall reproductive health also play a key role.

How many IVF cycles might be required for success?

While some individuals achieve pregnancy in a single cycle, it’s common for others to need multiple rounds of treatment. The chances of success often increase with each cycle, offering hope even if it takes more time than expected.

According to data from the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (VARTA), women aged 30-31 experienced a success rate of nearly 48% after one cycle, which increased to 67% after three cycles. In comparison, women aged 40-41 had a success rate of approximately 13% after one cycle, rising to 25% after three cycles.

These numbers show that each person’s path to parenthood is unique, and it’s okay if your journey takes more than one attempt. Your fertility specialist will work closely with you to understand your individual circumstances and create a plan that supports your needs, helping you prepare emotionally and financially for the process ahead.

What Tests Will I Need Before Beginning the Process?

Before starting IVF, your doctor will recommend several tests to assess your fertility and design a personalized treatment plan. These may include:

• Blood Work: Hormone level testing helps evaluate ovarian function and overall reproductive health. Hormones like AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) are commonly measured.
• Ovarian Reserve Assessments: An ultrasound may be used to check your antral follicle count, which provides insights into your egg supply and quality.
• Sperm Analysis (if applicable): For male partners, this test evaluates sperm count, motility and morphology to identify any potential factors affecting fertilization.
• Infectious Disease Screening: Both partners may undergo testing for conditions like HIV or hepatitis, which is required before starting IVF.
• Uterine Evaluation: A saline sonogram or hysteroscopy may be recommended to check for abnormalities in the uterus, such as polyps or fibroids, that could impact implantation.

Your care team will walk you through each test, discuss the results in detail and use these insights to guide you on the next steps in your IVF journey. Their goal is to provide clarity at every stage, helping you feel supported as you move forward with your treatment plan.

What Happens To Unused Embryos, and What Are My Options for Freezing Them?

If you have unused embryos, you’ll have several options to consider:

• Future Family Planning: Embryos can be frozen and stored for future IVF cycles, offering you the flexibility to expand your family when the time feels right. Normally, embryos can be stored for up to 10 years, but this decision is ultimately yours to make. Knowing this option is available can bring a sense of comfort and hope as you look ahead.
• Donation: Some choose to donate their embryos to individuals or couples who are also pursuing parenthood through IVF, offering them a chance to build their family.
• Research: These scientific breakthroughs have already helped countless families grow, improving IVF success rates and deepening our understanding of embryo development. By donating embryos to research, you can help advance fertility treatments and offer hope to others dealing with their own fertility challenges.

Deciding what to do with unused embryos is a deeply personal choice. It’s natural to feel uncertain, but your fertility clinic can offer counseling and resources to help you make the best decision for you and your family.

When Is IVF Required?

If the fallopian tubes are blocked or damaged, natural conception becomes nearly impossible because the egg and sperm cannot meet. IVF bypasses this barrier by fertilizing the egg outside the body and transferring the embryo directly to the uterus.

Ovulation Disorders or Low Ovarian Reserve

For those who struggle with irregular ovulation or a limited supply of healthy eggs, IVF can improve the odds of conception. Fertility medications are used to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, which are then retrieved for fertilization in the lab.

Male Factor Infertility

Issues like low sperm count, poor motility (movement) or abnormal morphology (shape) can prevent natural fertilization. IVF, combined with techniques like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg to improve the chances of fertilization.

Unexplained Infertility

Sometimes, the cause of infertility remains unknown even after extensive testing. This uncertainty can be frustrating, but it’s more common than you might think — unexplained infertility affects 10% to 30% of couples trying to conceive. In these cases, IVF offers new possibilities by addressing multiple potential factors at once, increasing the likelihood of conception. It can improve egg and sperm interaction, optimize fertilization conditions and help ensure the best timing for embryo transfer. IVF can also allow for close monitoring of each stage of conception, providing valuable insights that may not be possible with other treatments.

LGBTQ+ families and single parents

IVF provides alternative family-building options, such as using donor eggs, donor sperm or gestational surrogacy. These pathways are tailored to meet the unique needs of individuals and couples.

Understanding the IVF Process: What to Expect

An IVF cycle typically takes four to six weeks from the start of ovarian stimulation to embryo transfer, with frequent visits to your fertility clinic for monitoring. While it can initially feel overwhelming, many people find comfort knowing they’re closely supported throughout the process. Here’s what a typical cycle looks like:

Ovarian Stimulation and Monitoring

This phase is typically for the intended mother (if she is using her own eggs) or an egg donor, not the surrogate. Hormonal medications stimulate the ovaries, encouraging the production of multiple eggs to increase the chances of success. During this phase, you’ll have frequent ultrasounds and blood tests to monitor your body’s response to the medication. Your doctor may adjust the dosage as needed to help ensure the best results while keeping side effects more manageable.

It’s common to experience mild symptoms such as bloating, mood swings or cramping during this time. If anything feels uncomfortable or concerning, don’t hesitate to reach out to your care team. They’re there to support you and ensure you feel as comfortable and cared for as possible throughout the process.

Egg Retrieval and Fertilization

Mature eggs are gently collected from the intended mother’s ovaries through a minor outpatient procedure performed under light sedation or anesthesia for comfort. The process involves using an ultrasound-guided needle to carefully retrieve eggs from the ovarian follicles, typically taking about 20–30 minutes.

Once the eggs are retrieved, they are fertilized in the lab using sperm from the intended father or a donor. Fertilization can occur through:

• Traditional insemination: Eggs and sperm are combined in a petri dish, allowing natural fertilization.
• Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI): A single sperm is directly injected into an egg, often used in cases of male infertility or previous fertilization challenges.

The fertilized eggs are then closely monitored over several days as they develop into embryos. The healthiest embryos are selected for transfer to the surrogate or frozen for future use.

Embryo Transfer

The embryo transfer is a pivotal step in the IVF process, marking the moment when a healthy embryo is carefully placed into the uterus. This procedure is typically quick and painless, often compared to a Pap smear. A thin catheter is guided through the cervix to deliver the embryo directly into the uterine lining, where implantation can occur.

The procedure usually takes about 15–20 minutes and is done under ultrasound guidance to ensure precise placement. No anesthesia is typically needed, and most people can resume normal activities shortly after.

After the transfer, you’ll enter the two-week waiting period to confirm whether implantation has been successful. This can be an emotionally challenging time, so it’s important to take care of yourself and lean on your support system.

Your fertility doctor is there to support you every step of the way. By carefully monitoring your progress, adjusting medications as needed and addressing any concerns promptly, they’ll help minimize risks and ensure you feel safe and cared for throughout your treatment.

Are There Any Risks or Side Effects of IVF?

Common side effects

• Mild bloating or cramping
• Breast tenderness, mood swings or headaches due to hormonal changes
• Hot flashes or fatigue during ovarian stimulation

These side effects are typically short-lived and manageable with guidance from your care team.

Rare but Serious Risks

• Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): This rare condition occurs when the ovaries respond too strongly to fertility medications, causing swelling and fluid retention. Symptoms can include severe bloating, nausea and dizziness. Your fertility doctor will monitor hormone levels and adjust medications to reduce the risk of OHSS.
• Ectopic Pregnancy: In some cases, an embryo may implant outside the uterus, such as in the fallopian tube, which requires immediate medical attention. Early monitoring can help detect this complication early.
• Multiple Pregnancies: Transferring more than one embryo can increase the likelihood of twins or triplets. While this may seem appealing to some, multiple pregnancies carry higher risks, including premature birth and complications for both the babies and the mother. To reduce these risks, many clinics recommend transferring a single embryo whenever possible, as this approach balances safety with the chances of a successful pregnancy.

How Your Fertility Team Helps Manage Risks

They closely monitor your response to medications with regular blood tests and ultrasounds, making adjustments as needed to prevent complications like OHSS. They’re also trained to detect rare risks, such as ectopic pregnancy, early on to provide prompt intervention if necessary.

In addition to monitoring, your care team will offer clear guidance on what symptoms to watch for and when to seek help. With advancements in technology and personalized treatment plans, IVF has become safer and more effective than ever

What Are My Chances of Success With IVF?

IVF success rates vary based on individual factors, making it essential to understand how your unique circumstances play a role. While these factors can influence outcomes, they also highlight areas where you can take steps to improve your chances.

Age

As we age, both the quantity and quality of eggs decline. This can lead to fewer viable eggs and a higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities, which may affect embryo development and implantation. Fertility tests, like AMH levels and antral follicle counts, can help your specialist understand how age impacts your IVF journey and tailor your treatment plan accordingly.

National success rates also reflect the influence of age on IVF outcomes. According to Forbes Health, live birth rates per egg retrieval vary significantly by age:

• Under 35: 44.5%
• Ages 35-37: 32.4%
• Ages 38-40: 20.2%
• Ages 41-42: 9.6%
• Over 42: 2.9%

These numbers highlight how success rates evolve with age, but they are only part of the picture. Your fertility specialist will consider your individual circumstances, such as ovarian reserve, lifestyle and health history, to provide a personalized outlook. With a care team that truly understands your journey and a treatment plan designed just for you, you can take the next steps with hope and confidence.

Ovarian Reserve

A higher ovarian reserve measured through hormone levels and antral follicle counts can improve outcomes by increasing the number of healthy eggs available for retrieval and fertilization.

Lifestyle Factors

Healthy habits play a key role in IVF success. Avoiding smoking, maintaining a balanced diet and managing stress can positively impact fertility. Being within a healthy weight range is also important, as both excess weight and being underweight can affect hormone levels and implantation rates.

Conditions like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or uterine abnormalities may affect success rates. Your fertility specialist can tailor a treatment plan to address these challenges. The use of genetically tested embryos (PGT-A) may increase the likelihood of implantation and successful pregnancy, particularly for those with recurrent pregnancy loss or older age.

How Should I Prepare for an IVF Cycle?

Small changes to your lifestyle, emotional health and schedule can make a big difference as you move through each stage. Here’s how you can get ready:

Lifestyle Adjustments

Quitting smoking and avoiding alcohol are important steps to support your fertility health. These habits can affect egg quality, sperm health and overall fertility, so making these changes before starting IVF helps create the best foundation for success.

Nourishing your body with a fertility-friendly diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins can also help improve hormone balance and support egg and sperm health. Adding antioxidant-packed foods like berries and nuts can further support your reproductive health, helping you feel more prepared for the journey ahead.

Managing Stress and Emotional Well-Being

Managing the emotional aspects of IVF is just as important as preparing physically. The process can be emotionally taxing, so prioritizing your mental health is essential. Connecting with loved ones, joining a fertility support group or seeking counseling can provide a strong support system to help you navigate the ups and downs. Incorporating stress management techniques like mindfulness, yoga or meditation into your routine can also reduce anxiety and create a sense of calm, helping you feel more balanced and supported throughout your journey.

Understanding Your Treatment Plan

IVF involves a series of carefully timed procedures, such as ultrasounds, blood tests, egg retrieval and embryo transfer. Knowing what to expect at each step allows you to stay organized and reduce stress. Fertility medications are a key part of the process and often require precise timing. Work with your doctor to understand your medication schedule, and consider using reminders or a calendar to stay on track.

Scheduling ahead can also make the process smoother. IVF requires frequent visits to the clinic, so planning appointments around work and personal commitments can help avoid conflicts. Taking time off during certain phases, like egg retrieval or the two-week wait after embryo transfer, can provide extra rest and recovery when you need it most. By preparing thoughtfully, you can stay focused on your well-being and your goal of growing your family.

What Questions Should I Ask About Costs and Insurance Coverage?

Understanding the financial aspects of IVF is an important part of planning for treatment. IVF costs can vary widely depending on your clinic, location and the specifics of your treatment plan. Here’s a breakdown of common expenses to consider:

• Medication Costs: Fertility medications used during ovarian stimulation are a significant expense, often ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars per cycle.
• Egg Retrieval: This procedure, including anesthesia and laboratory services, is typically one of the largest costs in the IVF process.
• Genetic Testing: Testing embryos for genetic abnormalities (if chosen) can add thousands of dollars per cycle.
• Embryo Freezing and Storage: If you choose to freeze embryos for future use, there will be an initial freezing fee as well as ongoing storage costs.
• Additional Cycles: Many patients need more than one IVF cycle to achieve success, so it’s important to budget for this possibility.

The total cost of a single IVF cycle typically ranges from $15,000 to $30,000, including medication, genetic testing and clinic visits. The exact cost depends on several factors, including the specifics of your treatment plan, the fertility clinic you select and the medications required.

Since costs can add up quickly, it’s essential to ask your clinic these key questions:

• Does insurance cover any part of the IVF process? Insurance coverage for IVF varies by state, employer and individual policy. Your clinic can help review your insurance benefits or connect you with a financial counselor.
• Are payment plans or financing options available? Many clinics offer flexible payment plans or partnerships with financing companies to make IVF more accessible. Don’t hesitate to ask about these options to find a solution that fits your budget.

Additional Resources and Support

The IVF journey can feel complex, but the right resources and support can make a meaningful difference. Here are some ways to stay informed and supported as you move forward:

• Support Groups and Counseling: Connect with others through in-person or online support groups, or work with a counselor specializing in fertility to manage the emotional challenges of IVF.
• Educational Materials: Use checklists, preparation guides and timelines from your clinic to stay organized and informed.
• Personalized Guidance from Joy of Life: Connect with our team to receive answers to your questions and personalized resources. While our primary focus is on surrogacy, we’re also happy to offer guidance and support for parents pursuing IVF independently.

You’re not alone — these tools and support systems are here to make your path to parenthood more manageable.

Taking the Next Steps in Your IVF Journey

As you begin your IVF journey, it’s normal to have questions about the process, your chances of success and how to prepare. But with the right information and support, you can ease the stress of the unknown, knowing what to expect every step of the way.

At Joy of Life, we’re here to help you understand your treatment options and feel confident in the choices ahead. And if you’re ready to take the next step, our trusted experts are here to guide you in creating a personalized plan.

Take the first step toward building your family — reach out to Joy of Life today for personalized guidance and answers to your questions.