For couples in Glendale and the surrounding area dealing with infertility, IVF often provides a solution. Depending on your diagnosis, in vitro fertilization (IVF) offers a first step on your journey to growing your family. Many couples and individuals take advantage of assisted reproductive medicine in the form of IVF, so much so that it’s become fairly commonplace.
You probably know a few people who’ve dealt with their infertility by pursuing IVF. Still, you likely have plenty of questions. Here, we endeavor to answer the top fertility questions for Glendale families who may consider IVF as a path to parenthood.
What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
Before we delve deeper into IVF, let’s take a look at exactly what it is. Again, depending on your diagnosis, your doctor may or may not advise IVF. If your doctor recommends IVF as your best path to parenthood, then, of course, you want to understand the process.
Basically, IVF involves stimulating the female partner’s ovaries to mature several eggs at one time. Once mature, your doctor removes the eggs through a minimally invasive procedure. Your eggs go to a lab setting where an embryologist fertilizes them using the male partner’s sperm. Once the embryos develop, you may opt for preimplantation genetic testing, ensuring your doctor transfers only the most viable embryos.
When the time is right, your doctor transfers your embryo(s) into your uterus, where they implant and grow for the duration of your pregnancy. Once your doctor confirms pregnancy and you’re progressing normally, your IVF doctor releases you to the care of your OB-GYN.
Am I A Candidate for IVF?
Several factors go into determining your IVF success, starting with your infertility diagnosis. Those who should consider IVF include patients suffering from certain reproductive conditions such as:
- Endometriosis
- Scarred or blocked fallopian tubes
- Ovulatory dysfunction
- Limited ovarian reserve
- Auto-immune disorders
- Low sperm count
- Other sperm issues
- Unexplained infertility
How Long Does The IVF Cycle Take?
The IVF cycle typically takes from four to six weeks of preparing for egg retrieval. During this time, you’ll inject ovary-stimulating hormones, and your doctor monitors the maturation of your follicles using blood tests and ultrasound. As you near ovulation, you’re given a trigger injection. This injection contains a hormone that begins the ovulation process. At that point, your doctor schedules your egg retrieval. Next comes fertilization and embryo transfer into the uterus.
How Successful is IVF?
The success of your IVF cycle depends on several factors. Your diagnosis, the health of your eggs, your age, your partner’s sperm health, and more. No two cases of infertility are alike and your unique circumstances determine the success of your outcome. That being said, IVF is one of the most effective infertility treatments.
How Many Cycles of IVF Will it Take to Conceive?
Several factors go into the success of your IVF cycle. However, the average number of IVF cycles typically ranges from one to three or sometimes more. Healthy females in Glendale under the age of 40 have a higher chance for IVF success with fewer cycles. But, again, each case is unique.
What Are the Side Effects of Medication?
You may hear about the intense side effects of the hormonal medications used in IVF. Fertility medications typically cause some minor side effects and discomfort, but these are temporary. They include:
- Mood swings
- Mild Cramping
- Bloating
- Breast tenderness
- Spotting
- Mild nausea
- Constipation
- Pelvic discomfort
In rare cases, your ovaries may become inflamed, which increases your chance of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or OHSS. This can be painful, and some symptoms include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Decreased Urination
- Severe pelvic pain/abdominal discomfort
- Rapid and significant weight gain
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
If you experience any symptoms of OHSS, notify your doctor immediately.
Does IVF Increase The Chance for Multiples?
Many couples become concerned that IVF may produce twins or triplets. Your doctor will discuss this with you, and together, you’ll determine how many embryos you wish to transfer. Keep in mind there are many risks to carrying multiples, including miscarriage, pre-term delivery, stillbirth, and risks to the mother’s health as well.
Should We Have Preimplantation Genetic Testing?
There are many reasons couples decide to undergo preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) on their embryos. Those with known genetic conditions, especially single-gene disorders like sickle cell, cystic fibrosis, or Tay-Sachs, which can lead to devastating outcomes, or other conditions that may cause miscarriage or severe birth defects, should consider PGT.
Likewise, those parents who would like a sibling for a sick child who needs a bone marrow transplant may opt for PGT to ensure compatibility. Couples who’ve experienced recurrent miscarriage, multiple failed IVF cycles, severe male factor infertility, or advanced maternal age may also wish to undergo PGT.
The process is relatively easy and doesn’t harm the developing embryo. Knowledge gained from PGT improves your odds for success and a healthy IVF outcome. Here’s more information on PGT.
Where Should We Go to Explore IVF Further?
If you think you are among the Glendale families considering IVF, please contact LA IVF. We serve the areas of Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Altadena, and more. We’re waiting to help you find the answers you need about IVF.
