In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a medical procedure used to solve fertility issues. The treatment involves collecting mature eggs from the ovaries and fertilizing them with the sperm in a laboratory. Once the fertilization of the eggs (embryos) occurs, the doctor puts them in the uterus.

A complete IVF cycle takes three weeks, although it can take longer when your physician divides the processes into separate parts.

Interested in this procedure? Before selecting the hospital you’d like to get your IVF done, say Wesley IVF or Monash IVF in Auchenflower, here is everything you need to know before going ahead with the procedure.

1. IVF Is Time Consuming and Intensive

When considering going for IVF, a couple of visits to the doctor won’t do it. It takes a long process that requires your commitment.

For the first 10-12 days, you’ll receive fertility medications that will trigger your ovaries to develop more eggs. At this stage, you’ll be meeting your doctor daily for lots of ultrasounds and blood-work.

Subsequently, you’ll undergo anesthesia so your physician can bring out the eggs from your ovaries and unite them with your partner’s sperm in a laboratory.

Following your eggs’ removal, the doctor will put one or more embryos into your uterus and freeze the extra ones for future purposes.

Two weeks later, you meet with your doctor to undergo a blood pregnancy test to confirm if the procedure worked.

2. It May Effect Your Mental Health

IVF treatment involves lots of hormonal injections, which can cause hormonal fluctuations. This situation may affect your mood at some point.

If you suffer depression or anxiety, it may become exaggerated during and after your treatment.

3. Embryos Mix Up Rarely Happen

You may feel nervous about the possibility of a clinic mixing up your embryos with someone else’s. A situation like that is rare. However, we advise that you seek your embryology file from your Wesley IVF clinic once you decide to employ their service.

4. It May Have Some Side Effects

Abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, and bruises come with IVF injections. Also, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) may surface when going through this treatment. You may suffer symptoms like nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and weight gain, too.

5. It May Take More Than One Trial Before it Works

You can get pregnant during your first IVF cycle. Nonetheless, most women undergo many sessions before it eventually clicks.

You can, however, wait after one menstrual cycle before giving it a try again if it doesn’t work.

6. You Can Decide Which Gender You Want

You may choose to undergo a pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) during your IVF process. This test helps analyze the sex chromosomes of your embryos.

Physicians recommend it for women 35 years old or above or who have previously suffered a miscarriage or endured a failed IVF treatment.

7. IVF is the Most Effective Infertility Treatment

Undoubtedly, IVF is expensive and intensive. However, its success rate is higher than most infertility treatments.

Other perks include:

• The ability to control the numbers of births you have, unlike other treatments
• Reduced risk of genetic disorders
• Better chances of having a healthy pregnancy and baby

8. You Can Cut Down on Your Expenses

It may cost you over $10,000 for a single IVF cycle, that’s if you use your eggs and partner’s sperm. There are very few insurance companies that cover this procedure. However, they may cover your blood-work and ultrasounds.

Here’s the good news:

Some fertility clinics partner with lenders to offer their patients financing options. Ask your doctor in Wesley IVF clinic if they have such programs or provide free samples. Some pharmaceutical companies also sell their drugs at a discounted rate to patients. Moreover, some foundations offer financial aid or IVF grants. Find out and apply for them.

Having this information at the back of your mind will help you get ready for your IVF treatment in Wesley.