Infertility is no walk in the park, especially if you’ve been trying to conceive for months or even years. However, it’s incredibly common—and modern medicine can help. IVF, also known as in vitro fertilization, is one option that might suit your fertility needs as you look to grow your family. Here are five things to keep in mind when you start IVF.
You’ll need to find the right fertility specialist or clinic.
Once you, or you and your partner, are ready to reach out to a fertility specialist to talk about IVF, be sure you’ve done your homework in advance. Ask your medical provider for any recommended specialists or clinics, or reach out to trusted friends who’ve gone down this road before. There are also a whole host of online resources that can help you find a good fit.
IVF is expensive.
IVF treatments cost an average of $12,000 to $15,000 per cycle. Some individuals utilize personal savings, while others explore forms of financial support, such as credit cards, loans and grants. Other routes include fundraising, or tapping into retirement funds and home equity. You’ll also want to factor in extra costs for things like medication, genetic testing, labs, egg and/or sperm storage and more. The team at Bundl understands these details, and we’re committed to providing the right financing options to make your parenthood goals accessible.
You may need to do more than one round of IVF.
Unfortunately, IVF doesn’t work for everyone, especially the first time. Be sure to consider if you can emotionally and financially afford subsequent rounds of treatment. The good news? At Bundl, we’ve got you covered with a range of solutions that can help you navigate the cost.
IVF can be hard on your body (and mind).
IVF stimulates your ovaries to produce an increased number of eggs, and it can result in certain side effects as well as take you on an emotional roller coaster. Once you start IVF, it’s a time-consuming, all-encompassing process—you’ll deal with detailed timelines around self-administered shots, dosage amounts, multiple doctor visits and tons of waiting for results along the way. But even though IVF might take a toll, try to stay focused on why you’re doing it in the first place—to add a new member to your family!
A good support system is everything.
If you’re beginning IVF, be sure to lean on your support system: family and friends, a partner, counselors or therapists and online communities of people who know exactly what you’re going through.