Is IVF the Only Answer to Infertility?

The inability to conceive a child can be heartbreaking – and can lead women to jump to the conclusion that they are infertile while in reality they are not. Unfortunately, out of a desire to do anything to have children, many women jump into invitro fertilization (IVF), ovulation induction, egg freezing and even surrogacy – without pursuing natural methods first.

IVF can be prohibitively expensive for most couples. And, it will still be unsuccessful in the long run, if the prospective parents have unidentified underlying health concerns that are hindering conception.

Natural fertility approaches conception from the point of understanding one’s own body and becoming rebalancing health, to naturally increase your chances of pregnancy, without the debilitating costs of IVF.

What Is IVF?

IVF stands for in vitro fertilization. It is a procedure in which eggs are removed from a woman’s ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The fertilized eggs (embryos) are then transferred to the woman’s uterus to implant and develop. IVF is often used as a treatment for infertility.

What is the average cost of IVF in the United States?

The cost of IVF in the United States can vary widely depending on a number of factors such as location, the clinic providing the treatment, and the specific protocols used. On average, a single cycle of IVF can cost anywhere from $12,000 to $17,000. However, some estimates put the cost closer to $20,000 or more when additional procedures and medications are taken into account.

And if a man has a “low sperm count” Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) may need to be added to the IVF procedure. ICSI involves injecting a single sperm directly into an egg, and typically increases the cost of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) by about $1,500 to $3,000 in the United States.

So even a handful of attempts at IVF can cost a couple close to $100,000.

A few insurance plans cover IVF, but most do not. And even insurance plans that do cover IVF typically have a large co-pay or deductible for IVF, which means that the patient is still responsible for paying a certain portion of the cost of the procedure.

What is the Success Rate for IVF?

The success rate for IVF varies depending on a number of factors, including the patient’s age, the cause of infertility, and the clinic performing the procedure.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the live birth rate for IVF in the United States is around 32% per cycle started, and it increases with the number of cycles. In the United States, per the CDC, over 200,000 IVF cycles were performed in 2019, but just around 61,000 live births resulted from IVF.

The IVF success rate can be as high as 40% for women under 35. But success rates also tend to be lower for older women, as well as for women who have certain underlying medical conditions that affect fertility.

Why Doesn’t IVF Work every Time?

It’s important to remember that IVF will only work for certain women, because there are several underlying health issues that can affect the outcome and make IVF unsuccessful.

Some factors that can make IVF unsuccessful include:

1. Age: Women over the age of 35 have a lower chance of success with IVF.
2. Ovarian reserve: Women with a low number of eggs have a lower chance of success with IVF.
3. Uterine or cervical issues: Conditions such as uterine fibroids or cervical stenosis can affect implantation.
4. Endocrine disorders: Hormonal imbalances such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can impact ovulation and fertility.
5. Male infertility: Low sperm count, or poor sperm quality can affect the success of IVF.
6. Previous IVF failure: Previous unsuccessful rounds of IVF can reduce the chance of success in subsequent cycles.
7. Other medical conditions: Chronic conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, or autoimmune diseases can also impact IVF success.

If a person has one or more of these underlying health issues, IVF may still be unsuccessful. That is why it is important to consult with an integrative fertility expert like Dr. Ruthie Harper in Austin, TX for a personalized evaluation and treatment plan.

Many times, addressing these underlying health issues can put a woman back on track for conceiving naturally – without the need for the outrageous expense of IVF!

IVF Alternatives – Austin, TX

By creating a healthy environment for conception, and addressing underlying health issues, Dr. Ruthie Harper in Austin, TX can substantially increase a couple’s likelihood of getting pregnant and carrying a baby to term – without the need for intrusive, artificial and extremely expensive IVF and other reproductive technologies.

Ruthie Harper MD, in Austin, TX specializes in using integrative, holistic and natural fertility treatments to help women get pregnant, especially those who are having difficulty achieving or maintaining a pregnancy, using scientifically developed health protocols that transcend the temporary fixes offered by pharmaceuticals or other traditional medical treatments.

If you have tried to become pregnant without success, Dr. Harper opens her Austin, TX practice doors to you with compassion, and more than twenty years of natural fertility experience. Discover your personal path to total health, wellness and balance. Through the science of personalized integrative medicine she can help you become pregnant and achieve your dream of growing your family.

Before you go down the costly road of IVF, call us today to schedule your fertility consultation … and take the first step toward having the family of your dreams!

IVF Alternatives – Austin, TX: 512.343.9355