Conditions that IVF treatment improves include
IVF can help with the following:
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Female infertility such as tubal factors, ovulation issues and endometriosis
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Male infertility for example, azoospermia, poor sperm quality
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Single parents & same-sex couples for donor conception
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Recurrent pregnancy loss such as genetic screening of embryo
Now let's look at the requirements and procedure of IVF.
Requirements & Procedure of IVF
Here are the requirements and procedures of IVF in the US:
Requirements
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Medical evaluation which includes semen analysis, hormone tests, urine exams
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Ovarian reserve testing which includes FSH, AMH, ultrasound for egg count
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Healthy BMI which improves success rates
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Presence of no active infections such as STI, during screening
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Legal consent for embryo storage and usage agreements
Now that you know about the requirements, here's a look at the procedure.
Step-by-step Procedure
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Ovarian stimulation: This is done by two methods natural cycle IVF and stimulated IVF.
- Stimulated IVF involves 8-14 days of hormone injections to stimulate the egg release.
- Natural cycle IVF involves relying on the body’s natural menstrual cycle for ovulation.
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Egg retrieval: This involves a minor surgery to retrieve the eggs. The patient stays under sedation.
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Sperm collection: This may be from the partner or a donor sample.
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Fertilization: IVF or ICSI in the lab. ICSI is a specialized IVF which involves directly injecting a single sperm into an egg.
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Embryo culture: The fertilized egg is kept for 3-5 days in incubation.
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Embryo transfer: Once the embryo has reached a mature stage, it is retrieved with a catheter. And gently placed in the recipient’s uterus. It is common to notice mild cramping or spotting after this.
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Pregnancy test: About two weeks after the transfer, a pregnancy test is performed for confirmation. This is done after 10-14 days.
The average cost of IVF treatment in USA is $15,000 to $20,000 (without medication) which can go up depending on the situation. For example, you can expect to pay twice the amount ($30,000-$45,000) when a donor egg is involved. Or pay $20,000 to $30,000 when medications are involved.
Top 5 IVF Clinics in the US
Here are the top clinics in the US that bring successful results for hopeful parents:
Pacific Fertility Center Los Angeles
PFCLA is one of the top fertility clinics in the US, with renowned fertility doctors delivering successful results. This clinic has also played an important role in supporting the LGBTQ+ community through their family planning process.
Dallas Fort Worth Fertility Associates
DFW Fertility Associates are dedicated to high-quality medical care in a caring, sensitive and safe environment.
They have a team of 5 reproductive endocrinologists serving patients across 3 locations throughout Dallas Fort Worth Area.
Las Vegas Fertility
Las Vegas Fertility has a team of experienced fertility experts with years of experience and who are passionate about helping people grow their families.
The clinic combines advanced science and focus on safety for high success rstes that creates a positive experience for patients and their partners.
Overlake Reproductive Health
Overlake Reproductive Health is a nationally recognizes facility with high IVF success rates and is a go-to clinic in Seattle.
This clinic offers high success rates with individualized treatment plans made for each patient's fertility interests and needs.
Main Line Fertility
Main Line Fertility is one of the top IVF clinics in Pennsylvania, providing care to peopl from the greater Philadelphia area and East Coast. Their reproductive endocrinologists, nurses and patient coordinators ensure complete monitoring and convenient care.
These were some of the top clinics in the US trusted by people across States. These clinics are the first-step in a life-changing journey with the support to families explorinbg fertility options.
Read Also: IVF in India - Top Clinics
Risk of IVF
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Multiple pregnancies in case of multiple embryo transfer.
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Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS)
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Ectopic pregnancy, rare but possible.
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Emotional and financial stress
Benefits of IVF
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High success rates especially with PGT testing. Preimplantation genetic testing which analyzes the genetic makeup of the embryo before transfer.
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Genetic screening which helps reduce the risk of inherited disorders.
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Egg or sperm donation and surrogacy
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Best option for those experiencing severe infertility.
Recovery
After IVF, there are several changes that the recipient may undergo. This can lead to after procedure effects such as mood swings, breast tenderness, abdominal pain, bloating.
The recovery mainly includes:
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Immediate recovery: Mild bloating after retrieval of 1 to 2 days.
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Pregnancy test: Blood test 10-14 days after transfer.
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Post-transfer: Light activity after transfer is best for recovery. Do not engage in heavy exercise.
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If successful, there will be follow-up ultrasounds and if not, you can discuss next cycle.