In vitro fertilization is an advanced infertility treatment that involves removing eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilizing them outside her body in a laboratory. Couples with both female- and male-factor infertility may benefit from this assisted reproductive technology.
When is In Vitro Fertilization Used?
Candidates for in vitro fertilization include women with tubal disease, unexplained infertility, and other cases.
When there are instances of severe male factor infertility, meaning the partner’s ejaculate contains few or no live sperm, artificial insemination may be set aside in favor of a more advanced procedure such as in vitro fertilization.
In Vitro Fertilization Steps
An in vitro fertilization cycle involves ovulation induction, egg retrieval, fertilization and culture, and embryo transfer.
Ovulation induction involves taking medications to produce several eggs at once. Having more viable eggs lowers the ultimate cost of IVF by increasing the chances of an individual cycle.
Monitoring and testing is done throughout your treatment. Doctors use these measures to monitor progress and carefully watch for side effects.
Egg retrieval is done once follicles have matured. This half-hour procedure is guided by ultrasound and under anesthesia.
Fertilization and culture take place in a laboratory where highly trained specialists fertilize the retrieved eggs with sperm from a partner or donor.
Embryo transfer occurs a few days later when two or more embryos are placed in the woman’s uterus through the cervix. Ultrasound is again used, and at least two days of recovery time is required.
Early Success Minimizes In Vitro Fertilization Cost
For couples in the United States, the average cost of one cycle of in vitro fertilization is $12,000, but it ranges from about $10,000 to $16,000.
This does not include pre-cycle costs associated with a doctor’s original infertility diagnosis after examining both partners.
Individualization is key to high success rates, so cost varies based on medication, testing, lab work, doctor’s fees, and the number of in vitro fertilization cycles needed for a viable pregnancy.
Needing fewer in vitro fertilization cycles because of early success is the most effective way to control costs.
Most health insurance companies still, unfortunately, fail to cover assisted reproductive treatments, and in vitro fertilization costs may add up because the outcome can’t be guaranteed.
At Portland-based Oregon Reproductive Medicine, we understand that finances are a major concern for many who want to move forward with in vitro fertilization treatment.
We do achieve some of the highest pregnancy success rates in the country. Even so, some patients do require multiple in vitro fertilization cycles.
With Oregon Reproductive Medicine, the typical price of an in vitro fertilization cycle (with all testing, medications, monitoring, anesthesia, etc.) is about $15,000.
Is In Vitro Fertilization For You?
Oregon Reproductive Medicine offers personalized care and treatment. You can meet with one of our physicians at a free informational seminar, where we answer all your questions and discuss the promising opportunities that modern infertility treatments bring to couples who are struggling to conceive.
Our events take place across the country, and we may be visiting your city soon.
