A Beginner's Guide to IVF

Infertility is a global issue affecting some 48 million, or 15% of couples, and 186 million individuals, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of unprotected sex. While staying out of the parenting game is ideal for many people, countless others are anxious to start families, yet may run into issues. 

For people with uteruses who are struggling to get pregnant, IVF, or In-Vitro Fertilization, is a great option. IVF; however, can be difficult and time-consuming. At Effortless IVF in Fort Worth and Bedford, Texas, our Infertility Specialist, Kevin Doody, MD, offers a better IVF option that’s less invasive and more cost effective to patients who are struggling to conceive. 

What’s IVF?

IVF is a type of assisted reproductive technology, or ART. These types of technology create artificial and hospitable environments for isolated eggs to be fertilized, and implanted in a uterus. IVF is the most commonly used and most widely known treatment, with a high rate of success. 

Studies have suggested that IVF’s success rate can be high, particularly for people with uteruses under the age of 35 who also have more than one treatment. However, as people who are physically equipped to give birth get older, the likelihood of a successful treatment declines. Despite this, individuals over the age of 35 can still benefit from IVF. 

What can I expect with IVF?

Though each person’s experience with IVF can be unique, every treatment starts with a consultation. During your consultation, Dr. Doody goes through your complete personal health history, your family health history, and your goals for your family. Dr. Doody talks you through each step of IVF treatment, making sure you have plenty of opportunity to ask questions, and also provide you with a phone number to use if you have more inquiries later. 

IVF starts with blood tests to determine the quality of viable oocytes, or eggs, that you have. The presence of follicle stimulating hormone, or FSH, and an examination of your uterus helps Dr. Doody determine how and where to implant your embryo, or fertilized egg. 

IVF requires the injection of drugs that cause the ovaries to produce more than one egg. The eggs are collected through a surgical procedure. Your partner’s sperm is also collected, and the egg is fertilized in a sterile lab. From there, the embryo can be frozen; transpeople may need to preserve eggs or sperm to make IVF possible, but Dr. Doody will work with you and answer any questions that you may have. 

After the eggs are fertilized, a viable embryo is transferred into your uterus. If you have more than one viable embryo, they may both be implants, but your provider will advise you of this. Within ten days, a new blood test will determine whether or not the embryo transfer was successful, resulting in a pregnancy. 

Throughout your pregnancy, you’ll stay in touch with Dr. Doody, your OB/Gyn, and your primary care doctor. If you’re living with diabetes, you’ll also be in close touch with the rest of your diabetes care team. A live birth at the end of nine months with a healthy birth weight is the goal, but it’s normal for a person to need more than one IVF treatment for a successful pregnancy.   

How do I know that IVF is right for me? 

Assisted reproductive technology exists to create a pathway to parenthood for struggling prospective parents. Many people experience fertility problems for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common issues in people who use IVF include: 

• Endometriosis
• Compromised fallopian tubes
• Uterine fibroids
• Compromised ovarian function
• Being over age 40 

While IVF may not be an option for you, there are other assisted reproductive technologies that will possibly work for you. IVF has a variable success rate, but Dr. Doody can advise you on keeping your body as welcoming as possible for your prospective pregnancy.  

Are there side effects or complications to IVF?

IVF is an expensive process that can be physically taxing. One possible complication of IVF is the elevated potential of multiple births, though this possibility also carries the risk of low birth weight and premature birth, both of which directly affect the health of your baby. IVF also doesn’t guarantee that a miscarriage won’t happen. An ectopic pregnancy is also a possible complication, as eggs may implant outside of the uterus, causing a serious medical emergency.  

We need help starting a family. 

At our practice, we are sympathetic to you having a difficult time starting your family, and we’re here to help. Dr. Doody is accepting new patients for his alternative type of IVF treatment that can save you time, money, and physical symptoms. Call one of our Effortless IVF offices today or book an appointment with us online to learn more about this revolutionary process.