Deciding to use In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) after a miscarriage is a very difficult decision. When you have experienced the loss of an embryo, egg, or fetus, it can be difficult and painful to go through IVF. However, using your own fresh eggs and sperm may give you your best chance of success.
If you’ve recently suffered a miscarriage and decide to go ahead with IVF, there are numerous psychological and physical side effects that you should be aware of. It’s important to understand what IVF after miscarriage entails.
What is In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)?
In vitro fertilization is a fertility treatment used when an egg isn’t able to be fertilized by sperm in the uterus. During this process, both eggs and sperm are collected from you or your partner and placed into a laboratory dish. If the eggs are mature enough, they can then be fertilized by the sperm outside of your body. The resulting embryos will then grow for a few days in their own culture before being transferred back into either your uterus or that of your partner.
Assuming the IVF process is successful, around one in two women will go on to have a live birth after only three tries. Click here to learn more about IVF success rates.
How Common are Miscarriages?
Miscarriage happens when an embryo isn’t properly developed, causing it to stop growing before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Some miscarriages happen because there was something wrong with the fertilized egg itself (often caused by genetic issues), while others occur due to problems with the uterine environment such as chromosomal abnormalities or endometrial scarring from infections or disease. However, most miscarriages happen because the embryo isn’t supported properly by the uterine environment.
Miscarriage is very common in women who are trying to conceive, with about a 25% chance of experiencing one within their lifetime. If you have had more than one miscarriage though, your chances may increase significantly more.
How Does IVF After Miscarriage Work?
While IVF treatment is typically used to treat couples who have been unable to get pregnant because of male fertility issues or low egg production, it can also be used after a miscarriage. The procedure involves stimulating your ovaries with medications and then collecting the eggs that are produced. These eggs will then be fertilized with either sperm from your partner or donor sperm, depending on whether you have responded well to ovarian stimulation and if there are any genetic problems in your reproductive system.
How Common Is It for Couples to Use IVF After Miscarriage?
Nowadays, couples who have experienced a miscarriage are increasingly turning to IVF treatments because they don’t want to wait for the length of time it takes for their bodies to try and naturally become pregnant again. The average woman waits around 4-6 months before trying to conceive after experiencing a miscarriage, but some research has found that those who opt for IVF in this situation have higher success rates when compared with those that choose other options.
How Much Does IVF Cost After Miscarriage?
Unfortunately, American women spend an average of $8,000 out-of-pocket on infertility treatments. Therefore, the costs of infertility treatments can become astronomical, especially if you’ve had to pay for the retrieval of multiple eggs or if other issues resulted in additional costs. Thankfully, most health insurance plans do cover some aspect of IVF treatment, but it’s important to check with your provider about how much they will be willing to reimburse.
Despite this fact though, choosing a fertility clinic that accepts health insurance isn’t necessarily the best option either because their payment guidelines may restrict when and how often you’re able to receive procedures like egg retrieval or embryo transfers. Additionally, not all clinics offer payment assistance programs or competitive financing options so couples who aren’t covered by insurance must consider these factors as well.
What are the Risks of IVF after Miscarriage?
Some women may be able to get pregnant again fairly quickly after a miscarriage and thus don’t need to opt for IVF treatment, while others may experience further complications that make this option the safest choice. Additionally, if your body isn’t ready to conceive again right away, you must choose an IVF clinic that can provide other fertility treatments such as timed intercourse or intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Your doctor will let you know whether or not IVF is the best option for you based on your personal health factors and how much time has passed since your miscarriage. Regardless of which avenue you choose, it’s important to speak with a board-certified fertility specialist for more information and guidance.
What If My Doctor Says IVF After Miscarriage Is Not the Best Option?
If your doctor recommends that you don’t pursue treatment immediately, they will likely recommend that you wait at least 6 months before trying to conceive again. This will give your body enough time to heal from any complications you may have experienced during the miscarriage and prevent future issues as well. Waiting is also beneficial if your reproductive system is struggling with implantation or early pregnancy.
What Are My Chances of Success with IVF After a Miscarriage?
Success outlook depends on the type of procedure you choose, how long it has been since your miscarriage occurred, and your medical history. According to the CDC, approximately 1.9% of all infant births each year are through IVF. The usage rates around Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) procedures have almost doubled throughout the last decade.
Talk to your fertility specialists about the success rate they have seen at their clinic. This information will guide you in making the best decision for you and your growing family.
What Else Should I Know?
After experiencing a miscarriage, it can be difficult to know how and when you want to proceed with your fertility treatments. These decisions are very personal in nature and should be made with ample time to consider the options available. There’s no magic cure for getting pregnant after a miscarriage, but if you choose an IVF clinic that provides thorough explanations of their success rates associated with this treatment—you’re likely to get pregnant much faster than you would have otherwise.
