At Fertility and Endocrine Associates, we’ve been helping couples conceive family dreams for almost 30 years. We often tell our patients that while in vitro fertilization may offer couples their best chance to have a baby, most of them don’t need it. Many common fertility problems can be treated with medication, minimally invasive surgery or other procedures.
Those who do need IVF often have fears or concerns about everything from the treatment process to the costs associated with it. Here are some tips that may help alleviate some of the anxiety surrounding IVF.
What Is IVF?
IVF is defined as any fertility treatment where both an egg and sperm are removed from the body and used to create an embryo in a lab setting. The embryo is then placed back into the uterus to develop. For more about how it works, click here.
Ask About All Your Options
IVF is a broad term, and there are several options available. Our expert physicians will guide you and answer any questions to help you choose the one that’s right for you. We’ll also empower you to educate yourself about the differences between traditional IVF, natural cycle IVF and one of the newest treatments using INVOcell.
Understand the Odds
You might be worried that your IVF treatment will fail. The reality is, it might. In women under age 35, the chance for pregnancy with one IVF cycle is about 45-50% if one embryo is transferred, and approximately 55% if two embryos are transferred. It might help to look at your first IVF treatment cycle as diagnostic. While you have a good chance of becoming pregnant on the first try, if the cycle is not successful, it will be a valuable learning experience for your doctor. In subsequent IVF cycles, we’ll work on perfecting your medication and treatment process to optimize your future chance of success.
Take Your Shot
Some of our patients are afraid of getting frequent shots to increase the chances of egg growth. The injections are given with a very tiny needle, and they are not painful. In fact, they are so easy, we will show you how to administer them yourself. Even our most “needle phobic” patients are successful with giving their own shots.
Evaluating the Costs of IVF
There is no denying that IVF can be costly. That’s why we are very careful to recommend it only in cases where we believe it’s the best option. We also won’t perform any tests or order treatments that you don’t need. Our expert physicians work hard to ensure your IVF cycle takes place during an optimal window for pregnancy. If costs are a barrier to treatment, our business manager can work with you to evaluate financing options, time your treatments to fit with your budget and make IVF as affordable as possible.
Don’t Feel Like a Failure
Your infertility does not define you. It is just one part of who you are. If you are following your doctor’s recommendations and maintaining healthy self-care, you are doing everything right. Don’t berate yourself; instead, try relaxation, meditation and breathing techniques to manage your emotional reactions and bring you back to a positive head space. Many of our patients have also found acupuncture to be very helpful.
Don’t Go It Alone
Depression and anxiety are common among couples who struggle with infertility and undergo IVF. Many of our patients benefit from formal therapy. We can provide recommendations for counselors or therapists who can offer a deeper level of emotional and psychological support. Consider joining an online or in-person IVF support group. Connecting with others who understand your unique journey can make a huge difference in relieving the stress of IVF.
Practice Positive Thinking
It may sound like a cliché, but being optimistic and using positive self-talk can go a long way toward calming your fears. Telling yourself to take things one day at a time can alleviate some of your fears about the future. You can also rely on our fertility team for support. We offer much more than medical care — our physicians and staff are here for you every step of the way.
We know that choosing to pursue IVF treatment is a big decision. Rest assured that when we recommend IVF, we have evaluated all the other options. If you’re struggling to get pregnant and want to find out more about IVF, call us at (502) 897-2144.
