Explore the emotional and financial challenges IVF dads face in 2026, plus how to find support during fertility treatment and beyond.
During the IVF cycle, IVF Dads provide emotional support, physical care, and try to maintain a hopeful and positive stance regarding the success of the treatment. All of this while enduring the same roller coaster of anxiety and optimism that mom rides.
The challenges of the physical side of IVF, from ovary-stimulating hormone shots and their side effects, to egg retrieval, and implantation, underscore feelings of helplessness in an IVF dad. And, depending on the reason for your infertility, dad may deal with bouts of feeling inadequate. Just like moms, IVF dads need support and understanding
It’s not an easy thing to be an IVF dad in 2026, as many of the personal accounts you’ll find from podcasts, online support groups, and even social media concur. Here we take a look at how IVF dads in Glendale, LA, and beyond feel, cope, and deal throughout the process.
The Practical Side of What it’s Like to Be an IVF Dad in 2026
Practical aspects of IVF for dads in 2026 can actually be some of the more frustrating challenges they encounter. Fertility treatments are expensive, and seemingly countless appointments, managing household tasks, and assisting in the medication schedule alone disrupt your usual routine from the moment you opt for IVF.
- Financial Burden: Many dads feel alone in the dreaded financial burden brought on by fertility treatments, particularly IVF. Depending on the factors influencing IVF, the success rates hover around 50% at best. That’s a risky return on investment, albeit a rewarding one when your cycle is a success. In an effort to be hopeful and positive, many men don’t feel comfortable voicing their financial concerns. But, for most couples, the feelings surrounding the financial burden of IVF are merely “sticker shock.” As one dad put it, “It just takes one good egg and one good sperm, and the payoff is worth it.”
- Providing Support: Being supportive typically comes naturally for IVF dads. At least in the very beginning. But the journey can become long, especially for those undergoing multiple cycles. While your emotions take a beating, the practical aspect of providing support can be time-consuming. Managing medication, attending appointments, taking over household tasks, and simply ‘being there’ add to your schedule.
The Emotional Journey of An IVF Dad
As an IVF dad in 2026, you have some unique emotional challenges. Many times, Dad’s emotions, unfortunately, take a backseat to the emotions of the mother. That’s why it’s not always easy for dads to recognize those feelings. Here are some things to watch out for emotionally, according to IVF dads in Glendale, LA, and beyond.
- “Infertility is a hit to the ego”: Many men feel a sense of shame or failure when faced with a diagnosis of infertility. It’s essential to recognize these feelings and address them for your ongoing emotional health and wellness.
- “I feel helpless while my partner goes through the IVF cycle”: Be it their female partner or a surrogate, many men feel as though their role is a very minimal one. And since IVF moms bear the physical toll throughout the journey, many IVF dads feel somewhat sidelined.
- “The outcome is uncertain, and that makes me anxious.”: Anxiety and stress, and even depression, are “emotional side effects” for both mom and dad during the IVF process. Enduring all that goes along with an IVF cycle and experiencing a failed attempt, or multiple failures, takes a toll on your emotions and your finances. And when you’re both coping with the uncertainty of the journey, those feelings can easily wreak havoc on your emotional well-being and your relationship.
Finding the Support You Need
As an IVF Dad in 2026, you need your own support as you navigate your unique part of the journey. Often, the best support comes from other men who’ve been there and done that. Online support groups or IVF dad-specific online communities can provide you with insight from experienced IVF dads, along with a “safe place” to express your own emotions.
Recognizing your need for support is crucial to the journey. As the saying goes, “you can’t pour from an empty vessel”. In other words, you can’t support your partner emotionally if you are struggling. Some dads do better with a more intimate counseling or therapy session, or an in-person peer support group. Your clinic has referrals to match your preferences.
Let’s Normalize Talking About the IVF Journey for Dads
Dads, you’re at the center of your own experience, and you have the unique ability to normalize the IVF journey for others. Talk about it from your perspective. Seek support from other dads so you don’t feel isolated in your experience. Get involved by learning everything you can about the IVF process, listening to podcasts specifically for IVF dads, and talking with your fertility clinic when you have questions or concerns.
At LA IVF, we help grow families, including dads. Want to know more about IVF? Please contact LA IVF today. We’re here for IVF dads and moms.
