In vitro fertilization (IVF) is one of the most commonly performed fertility treatments. Still, the prospect of going through IVF often feels overwhelming, and it’s common to wonder whether you’re making the right choice. It’s also common to be fearful of potential side effects or failing to get pregnant. While these are perfectly natural responses, being well-informed will help you feel more confident about your decision. Here are some of the most important questions to ask your doctor.
Why is IVF the Best Choice for Me?
Every person is unique, and every fertility journey is different. When deciding the most appropriate treatment for you, your doctor will look at factors like your age, pregnancy history, medical conditions, and your fertility diagnosis. Hearing the reasons behind the recommendation for IVF will likely help you feel better choosing it as your treatment.
What Are My Chances of Success?
IVF helps many couples realize their dreams of becoming parents, but it’s important to understand that IVF does not work for everyone. You may need to try multiple times before conceiving, or you may never have a successful pregnancy. While your doctor may not be able to give you a concrete percentage, you should be able to get a general idea of how likely IVF is to succeed for you given the above mentioned factors .
Can I Improve My Likelihood of Success?
Although success with IVF is never guaranteed, there are often things you can do to improve your chances of conceiving. It bears repairing that quitting smoking, improving your diet, managing your weight, and making other lifestyle changes may improve your likelihood of IVF success. Again, the changes you may need to make will be unique to your specific circumstances.
How Much Will IVF Cost?
A big factor for many patients is the cost of IVF treatment. Understanding that you might require more than one round of IVF, you may be given an estimate with a general range of prices rather than a set price. At RISE Fertility, we strive to be transparent with our pricing. We create custom fertility packages for each patient, and offer a number of financing or payment options to help you afford treatment.
What Happens During IVF Treatment?
It’s natural to feel worried before any procedure, and asking about the IVF treatment process helps you know what to expect and how to prepare. IVF is a four-step process that involves creating your treatment plan, medically stimulating your ovaries, retrieving your eggs, and developing embryos. It’s important to understand what you can expect at each step along the way. And it’s a good idea to take notes since there will be a lot of information.
Am I a Candidate for Natural & Minimal Stimulation IVF?
At RISE Fertility, we offer natural and minimal stimulation IVF that involves little or no medication to stimulate egg development. If you’re interested in natural & minimal stimulation IVF, ask your doctor if you’re a good candidate. The procedure isn’t right for everyone, so we’ll review your history and goals, and discuss the pros and cons of this option and whether this or traditional IVF is better for you.
Are There Any Side Effects of IVF?
In general, IVF is well-tolerated, and most patients experience minor or no side effects. Most side effects are likely to be hormone-related, like bloating or fatigue. However, there are some less common but serious side effects to IVF. For instance, you could experience ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) as a result of the medications you need to take. Certain medical factors, such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can increase your risk of experiencing OHSS. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your specific risk factors and symptoms you might experience.
What Happens to My Embryos?
One of the most essential things to ask your doctor before IVF is, What happens to my embryos? At RISE Fertility, the choice is yours. If you wish to try to get pregnant right away, we’ll perform a fresh embryo transfer, transferring one (or more) into your uterus. If you want to genetically test the health of your embryos, we’ll wait until the testing is complete. You can also choose to freeze your embryos for future use.
What Are My Options if IVF Isn’t Successful?
It’s important to discuss your options if IVF isn’t successful. You should ask about attempting IVF again and how many rounds you should try before stopping. You should also ask about other options, like using donor eggs or a surrogate to help you have a baby. The important thing to know is there are options available.
At RISE Fertility, we create custom treatment protocols for each patient. As a concierge practice, you have unparalleled access to your physician and fertility team at every step of your fertility journey, and we encourage you to ask questions so that you’re comfortable with your treatment.
Learn more about the RISE Difference here, and contact us to schedule a consultation.
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