IVF is expensive! Here's a break-down of all the costs associated with the fertility process, which explains why it's so pricey in the first place.

Infertility is a tough emotional and physical experience and a record number of families are using Invitro Fertilization (IVF) to have babies. A report by Pew Research Center suggests that the number of assisted reproductive technology (ART) births in the UShas gone up threefold since 1996. Moreover, one in three American adults has used or knows someone who has sought after some form of fertility treatment. That is 12.7% of women aged 15-49, as stated by the CDC. IVF is the most popular form of ART treatment which apparently, is more expensive in the United States than anywhere else.

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Have you ever wondered how embryos are created in the lab? ( ): Using Standard IVF means to place both gametes, previously treated to facilitate this process, together in a petri dish. We let nature do its part and spermatozoon will run to the oocyte in the culture media drops and, if everything goes well, one day later we will have a zygote (the single cell made by the fusion of both gametes). ( ): With this process, we take every spermatozoon one by one, after a proper process, and we physically inject it inside the oocyte emulating thus the natural process. If everything goes well, one day later we will have the zygote. This zygote with only one cell will start cleavage and will increase its cell number day by day. Thus, on the day 2 of the embryo, we expect to have, average, 2-4 cells, on the 3rd day, average, 6-12, on day 4 cells should start compacting and become a new structure called Morula and fifth day, we should have a blastocyst. Feel free to ask additional questions and check our webpage - http://www.geomedicalart.com #ivfjourney #ivf #invitro #invitrofertilization #fertility #fertilityjourney #embryo #health #georgia

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IVF is a fertility treatment that uses a female's eggs and a male's sperm. The process involves combining the extracted egg and retrieved sperm in a laboratory dish. The mixture forms an embryo in a process called insemination, and the fertilized is then transferred to your uterus, three to five days after fertilization.

This ART technique is applied to treat infertility patients who have male factor infertility, unexplained sterility, blocked or injured fallopian tubes, ovulation illnesses, and couples with genetic disorders.

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Figures from Advanced Fertility Care shows that live birth success rates in the US for each IVF round is 54.9% for patients below 35 years. The percentage decreases as a person gets older, with patients below 40 years having a success rate of 21.2% and those above 42 years achieving zero live births.

In the United States, the average cost for one IVF round is $12,000 without including the cost of medication. However, the cost varies and may be as high as $15,000 or as low as $10,000. Likewise, the cost of the medication ranges between excesses of $3,000 andas low as$1,500. Thus, on average, a patient can spend up to $20,000 for one IVF cycle, and up to $60,000 for three full IVF cycles.

The treatment is quite pricy primarily because the process involves many stages of preparation before, and after the treatment that tallies up over time. Patients pay for the IVF procedure itself, in addition to regular consultations, hormone medications, and the prospect of having to undergo more than one IVF cycle.

Many factors determine the cost of IVF, which includes the patients age, medical history, and the type of procedure. The costs from the procedure are determined by the injectables, specialist care, egg and sperm retrieval, genetic testing, insemination, storing and caring for the fertilized egg (embryo), and so on. Additionally, a patients personal choices can affect the cost as well. For instance, if a person has a low pain threshold, there will be an extra cost for getting sedated or anesthetized for egg retrieval.

On the whole, finances are a big consideration when it comes to IVF, which takes 10 t0 12 days of medication, and an additional five days to grow the embryo and placing it inside the uterus. The most expensive part of IVF is when a couple opts for a pregnancy carrier. If you add the legal and agency fees, IVF costs, and reimbursement to the pregnancy carrier, the cost can vary from a low of $50,000 to a high of $100,000.

Resorting to an IVF can look like too big a step, but there are ways you can save money on IVF.

Do A Mini-IVF.The bulk of expenses for IVF treatments go to the injectables used to stimulate the growth of an egg. This medication can be very pricy, but there is a way of doing IVF with fewer meds through Mini-IVF, short for minimal stimulation IVF. Although Mini-IVF has not caught on in America, it is a procedure that reduces IVF treatment costs by using much fewer injectables. However, this method is not recommended for everyone as it could lessen the chances of success for some. Therefore, seek guidance from a clinic that specializes in the procedure if you choose Mini-IVF treatment.

Thorough Financial Planning.How much money will you need? Get detailed information concerning every aspect of the treatment and cost. You will need to know what is factored into the total cost and what is not counted in. Then, begin saving months before, and read your insurance plan to see if you are eligible for partial coverage.

Choosing An IVF Clinic.Find the clinic that will provide the treatment you need at a price you can afford. Likewise, find a clinic that offers exceptional treatment packages with guarantees and great success rates, to avoid having to undergo more than one IVF round.

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Sources: webmd.com, cnyfertility.com, creatingafamily.org, medicalexpress.com.

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I have been a writer since 2012, and have enjoyed the journey thus far. When I am not busy writing like there's no tomorrow, I enjoy spending time with my three daughters and watching Netflix.

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