Questions to ask your fertility doctor before starting IVF
If your fertility specialist recommends starting IVF, it’s normal to have a lot of questions. The IVF process is highly effective for many people, but is also complex and sometimes confusing. Our San Antonio area IVF doctors want to be sure that you get answers to all of your questions about IVF so that you have peace of mind and can make informed decisions as you move forward.
Before starting IVF, here are some questions you might want to consider asking your fertility specialist.
Do I really need IVF? Are there other treatments that might work for me?
If your fertility specialist has recommended IVF, there are good reasons. Everyone’s situation is different, but for some people, other types of fertility treatment either have already been tried or are unlikely to produce a pregnancy due to certain medical factors. For example, intrauterine insemination can’t work if the fallopian tubes are blocked, and fertility medications like Clomid are unlikely to help if sperm count is very low. IVF can help overcome both of these issues, and many others.
How much does IVF cost?
This is one of the most common questions about IVF, and for good reason. Everyone who needs help to conceive must balance the chance of success against the cost of the recommended treatment. The cost of IVF will be a little bit different for everyone, as it depends on many factors. Some people have insurance coverage for all or part of the IVF process, while others don’t. Additionally, the medications, dosages and monitoring needed throughout the IVF process will be different for everyone. Our IVF coordinators will provide a personalized estimate of your own IVF cost, so that you can make informed decisions before choosing this advanced fertility treatment.
What are my chances of IVF success?
IVF generally has the highest success rates of any fertility treatment. However, each person’s situation is unique, so each person’s chance of success with IVF will be different. This is one of the most common questions about IVF, and our San Antonio area IVF doctors will take all medical factors into account to give you their best estimate of what kind of success you might be able to achieve with IVF, as compared to other fertility treatments.
How long does IVF take, and can I plan it around my schedule?
The process of IVF takes several weeks from start to finish. Before starting IVF, you will receive a detailed calendar outlining when you will need to take specific medications, come into the office for monitoring, get your egg retrieval, and plan for your embryo transfer. We encourage you to review this calendar with your family and care team, so that you can eliminate any conflicts, get time off work on the days you need to, and plan ahead to be available for all appointments.
Do I need to get my embryos genetically tested?
Many people choose genetic testing for their embryos to rule out the possibility of chromosome problems with embryos that can lead to conditions such as Down syndrome. This may be especially important for women 35 or older, or for those who have experienced recurrent pregnancy losses. Other types of genetic testing are available to identify specific genetic conditions in embryos, such as cystic fibrosis. If there are genetic disorders in your family, be sure to tell your fertility specialist so that we can recommend the best testing options for you.
What happens next if IVF doesn’t work for me?
Like so many questions about IVF, the answer will depend on your personal situation. For some people, we may recommend a second IVF cycle, while others may be better served to move on to starting IVF with donor eggs or sperm. Others may decide to pursue other paths to parenthood, such as adoption. Our compassionate fertility care team is here to support you and to help you choose the most effective options to achieve your dream of parenthood.
Considering starting IVF? Let’s talk
Our experienced San Antonio area IVF doctors are here for you, and will take their time to answer all of your questions about IVF. As your partners in creating your future family, our team is here to provide guidance and support for you every step of the way. Contact us to schedule a consultation with an experienced reproductive endocrinologist to get all the information you need to take control of your reproductive future.