How Many IVF Treatments It Takes to Get Pregnant?

As we evolve, we are learning to face different problems with different outcomes that promise a sustainable life. Science and Biotech together have come a long way.

IVF treatments are now one of the most common ways to conceive for couples through assisted reproductive technology. In this process, the sample of male sperm is collected, and female eggs are taken out from the body, combining them to make an embryo in the lab, and then implanting the embryo in the female body. This reproduction process is also very common for LGBTQ couples living together, giving them hope to start a family of their own.

The invention of IVF dates way long to 1978. Recent use of more modern technology and evolved ways of assisted reproduction clinically has improved so much that the success rate has increased from 20% to 50% for women below 35.

Earlier, people used to think that if an IVF procedure is unsuccessful for the first time, there can be no reproduction possible even with IVF. As time went by, this proved to be completely untrue. The success of reproduction depends on the woman’s age with other factors while going through different cycles of IVF. While a failed IVF procedure can be devastating, know that it doesn’t end there, a couple can try to get pregnant with another IVF treatment and better planning. But before we get on to that, we must know how the IVF cycle works. Keep reading to know more!

What is IVF Cycle?

The IVF cycle runs for 3 weeks, with two weeks of waiting to get the confirmation that a couple is pregnant. The cycle is the same for every couple, but it can turn into different circumstances according to the individual’s body and factors. Here age is a very dominant factor in the procedure as the success rate for women below the age of 30 is 50%, and the success rate for women below the age of 35 decreases from 38% to 32%.

Understanding the cycle of going through treatment is important to understand your body properly.

There should be multiple oocytes produced in the body with ovarian stimulation.
Extract and remove when oocytes are matured adequately.
Then we proceed to conception as fertilization in the laboratory takes place.
The embryos are developed in the laboratory with proper culture and observation.
The selected embryo will then be followed by implantation and assisted pregnancy.

What Are The Factors That Affect A Successful IVF Procedure?

Certain factors affect a successful cycle of IVF treatments. Let us, in the next context, look out for those factors.

Age:

The main reason age is the most dominant factor in the IVF procedure is that the eggs can decrease in number and quality. The body of older women will not respond to hormone-stimulating drugs because of their ovaries.

Duration of Infertility:

Another factor related to age is the duration of infertility. If a woman has infertility and has been trying for a child for more than 5 years, it depends on how the IVF procedure will react. A simple solution to this problem is embryo donation, which can be possible with an easy procedure.

Cause of infertility:

Another adherence to IVF treatments is the cause of infertility faced by women or men. Fallopian tube blockage, uterine problems, or fibroids can lower the chances of success of the IVF cycle into confirmed pregnancy.

Alcoholism or drinking problem:

Alcohol consumption lowers the chances of success in IVF treatment and tends to lower the chances of a successful pregnancy. One going through the IVF cycle should be healthy and have a diet providing nutrients and supplements throughout the body. Alcoholism or drinking during the process can be very dangerous.

Obesity:

Obesity can be another problem where a person finds it difficult to conceive. IVF treatments are no exceptions to this cause.

What Are the Risks Associated With IVF Treatment?

There are multiple side effects to multiple cycles of IVF treatments. Hence, the couple needs to look out and evaluate the risk properly.

The women can face side effects like ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome and multiple birth cases. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome causes the ovaries to swell up due to lots of hormonal injections and medicines. This causes extreme pain and nausea with extreme cases like blood clotting, decreased urination, and shortness of breath. Another common side effect is multiple births which are caused by multiple transfers of the embryo to increase the chances of pregnancy. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) observation, IVF procedure pregnancy has resulted in 43% of multiple births. The medicines while going through an IVF cycle also give episodes of depression and causes mood swings, headaches, nausea, dizziness, tender breast, mood swings, and more.

How Many Times Can One Repeat the IVF Treatment?

There is no stated number of IVF treatments one can go through, but it is advisable for couples to wait for one month to replenish themselves from the strong medications as one menstrual cycle passes by. There is no medical evidence that people waiting longer affects the IVF success rate. But age is a dominant factor. As time passes by, the success rate goes down. There can be circumstances where the specialist doctor advises the couple to abandon the ongoing cycle and immediately start the next one for better results. It is essential to be mentally strong to start the second cycle and be healthy to get better results. Failed IVF procedures can be devastating, and one needs to overcome that completely before starting the next cycle to gain better chances of IVF success.

Conclusion

Everyone has a unique body, and there is no accurate answer to how many IVF treatments it takes to get pregnant. One needs to take care of their body properly to get pregnant with the first IVF cycle concerning all the factors and success rate. The key is to be healthy and decisive throughout the procedure with strong will and determination, being happy and expecting the best results.