In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has revolutionized how people approach fertility. It allows countless couples to become parents. However, the IVF journey may not always be smooth and when an IVF cycle fails, it involves financial and emotional distress. Most couples find it challenging to move on after a failed IVF cycle. So, in this article, we will tell you how to handle yourself after IVF failure and when to begin the next IVF cycle.
After Effects of Failed IVF treatment
What happens to the female body and mind after an unsuccessful IVF treatment? It is natural to have this question when you have made up your mind for IVF treatment. Let us delve deep into how your physical and mental health might be affected when IVF fails.
1. IVF Failure Physical Effects
According to fertility specialists, patients experience hormonal imbalances after IVF failure. This happens because IVF treatment involves the usage of fertility medications that are necessary for ovarian stimulation and promoting the fast growth of several follicles.
So, there can be some side effects of taking these medications and the common side effects are breast tenderness, fatigue, abdominal pain, bloating, and mood swings. While some women experience a lot of physical discomfort, others have minimal discomfort. So, after one failed cycle, your body needs some time so that it recovers completely.
2. Psychological Consequences of a Failed IVF Cycle
When a person’s dreams to conceive get crushed, it is natural to feel overwhelmed. Individuals experience various emotions such as grief, profound sadness, and frustration. While some can deal with the disappointment, for some it can be difficult to accept the reality. So, in the next section, we have discussed what steps you can take to get back to your normal life and embark on the IVF expedition with renewed enthusiasm.
Ways to Cope with IVF Failure
You should know that the effectiveness of fertility treatments depends on various factors like the person’s age, the quality of their embryos, and underlying health issues. So, there is always a possibility of the first IVF process resulting in failure and if that happens, instead of being devastated, you should prepare yourself mind and body for another attempt.
1. Get emotional support from your partner
Many couples admit that the shared disappointment leads to communication challenges and increased tension. Don’t let an IVF failure strain your relationship with your spouse. Remember that he too was excited to become a father and you two are together in this.
Hence, foster honest and open communication, allowing each individual to express concerns freely. Couples therapy is a good idea as a therapist offers a neutral and safe space where both partners are encouraged to communicate effectively and sort out their differences.
2. Join a support group
Many women who underwent infertility treatment for years before they could get pregnant expressed that they were part of some support groups. By joining a support group, you can interact with people who are going through the same thing as you are. This will make you realize that you aren’t the only one struggling to get pregnant.
3. Look after yourself
Grieving won’t result in a successful pregnancy and hence, you must focus on doing things that make you happy. Begin with taking good care of yourself by eating nutritious foods and exercising. This is crucial if you want IVF success in your future attempts as a healthy lifestyle can increase your fertility levels dramatically.
When Is the Right Time to Try Again?
First, if failed IVF when to try again? Here are two things you should consider:
- Emotional Readiness: As IVF is emotionally challenging, be clear about how you are feeling. Rushing into another cycle will only cause recurrent IVF failures. So, unless you have processed your sadness, it is better to wait.
- Physical Recovery: As you are likely to experience hormonal fluctuations due to IVF medications, you also have to wait for physical recovery. The recovery period differs from woman to woman. Even if your body recovers quickly, IVF doctors suggest waiting one menstrual cycle at least.
So, to know when the right time for you is, you should observe your body and get in touch with an IVF specialist.
Why Seek Professional Guidance?
After embryo implantation failure, discussing the matter with your fertility specialist is a must. A well-known IVF clinic will provide personalized care and expert guidance. First, they will try to figure out the IVF failure reasons for your first IVF cycle. When they know the reasons for IVF failure, they can ensure that your second IVF cycle is a success. They will also inform you about alternative options.
Next Steps
What if in vitro fertilization didn’t work for you? There are other ways of conceiving. Have a look at these alternative treatments:
- Preimplantation Genetic Screening
- If egg quality is poor, IVF with the help of donor eggs can be tried
- Gestational surrogacy
Parting Thoughts
We may conclude by saying that we understand how draining (physically and emotionally) it can be to face implantation failure. So, we tried our best to tell you about the significance of getting professional guidance and the most reliable support systems to help you navigate this stressful chapter in your fertility journey.
We hope that you found our comprehensive insights useful and that you feel motivated enough to start afresh after a failed IVF attempt. Stay positive and all the best!
