Top Questions Patients Commonly Ask About IVF

The success rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF) can vary widely depending on several factors, including the age of the woman undergoing the procedure, and the quality of the sperm and eggs.

1. What is the Success Rate for IVF?

Key Factors Affecting IVF Success:

• Age: Younger women typically have higher success rates due to better egg quality.
• Embryo Quality: High-quality embryos are more likely to implant and lead to pregnancy.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Conditions like endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can influence the outcome.
• Lifestyle Factors: Diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol can impact fertility and IVF success.
• Type of IVF: Some patients use donor eggs, which can increase success rates, especially for older women.

It’s important to consult a fertility specialist for a personalized estimate, as success rates can also vary from clinic to clinic.

2. How Long Does the IVF Process Take?

The IVF (in vitro fertilization) process typically takes about 4-6 weeks from the start of ovarian stimulation to embryo transfer. Here’s a breakdown of the key stages:

• Initial Consultation & Testing (1-3 weeks)
  

  Before starting IVF, you’ll undergo an initial consultation with a fertility specialist. This stage includes fertility testing (hormone tests, ultrasounds, and semen analysis) to determine the best course of treatment. Some patients may need additional treatments or medications to prepare.

• Ovarian Stimulation (8-14 days)
  

  During this phase, the patient takes injectable fertility medications (gonadotropins) to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The response is monitored with blood tests and ultrasounds to track follicle development.

• Egg Retrieval (1 day)
  

  Once the follicles reach the desired size, a “trigger shot” is administered to mature the eggs. The eggs are retrieved via a minor surgical procedure about 36 hours after the trigger injection.

• Fertilization (1-5 days)
  

  After retrieval, the eggs are fertilized with sperm in a lab (either through standard IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection, ICSI). Fertilized eggs (now embryos) are monitored for development over the next few days.

• Embryo Transfer (3-5 days after retrieval)
  

  If embryos develop well, 1-2 are selected for transfer into the uterus. This is a quick and painless procedure, similar to a Pap smear.

• Pregnancy Test (10-14 days after transfer)
  

  Around two weeks after the embryo transfer, a blood test will confirm whether pregnancy has occurred.

It is important to note that the overall timeline can vary based on individual factors like response to medications or the need for extra procedures (e.g., genetic testing of embryos). If a patient uses frozen embryos or undergoes multiple cycles, the process can take longer.

3. How Much Does IVF Cost if Insurance Doesn’t Cover It?

According to Forbes, couples seeking in-vitro fertilization (IVF) in 2023 paid between $15,000 and $30,000. Costs are increasing across the board, and hopeful parents are left scrambling to figure out what their insurance will cover and how they’ll be able to afford the remaining out-of-pocket costs.

We’re changing that. Fertility Centers of New England believes that straightforward conversations about infertility treatment prices are crucial as healthcare costs rise across the board in the United States. Our centers offer IVF treatments starting at $13,000, which is among the most competitive pricing in New England.