Dr. Rachel McConnell, MD, F.A.C.O.G., F.A.C.S., is a board certified OB/Gyn and Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility specialist at Nevada Fertility C.A.R.E.S. in Las Vegas. She is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, fellow of the American College of Surgeons and an associate member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Here, she explains how many in vitro fertilization — or IVF — treatments are typically needed before a couple successfully conceives.
There is a huge range in how many in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments a couple need to go through before getting pregnant. However, I would say the majority of people within their first three attempts with IVF should end up getting pregnant if conception has taken place. The average range would be one to three IVF treatments needed per couple, I would say. However, a number of factors can make it more likely that someone will need multiple treatments as opposed to just one single IVF treatment. For instance, the older a woman is, the lower her chances of a successful pregnancy — both with and without IVF treatment.
Another thing that couples need to take into consideration is the male partner. Sometimes with severe male factor, a couple may need additional rounds of IVF treatments in order to successfully conceive. Each round is a chance at more exposure, so it is another chance that the couple could become pregnant.
The same thing applies to those with endometriosis. While IVF can be a fantastic option, it may take women who have this condition a couple more rounds before they find success with pregnancy.
Of course, the length of time that a couple continues trying to conceive through IVF depends largely on how far they want to go with their fertility options. The length of time that we at our fertility center, Nevada Fertility C.A.R.E.S., will help them try to conceive through IVF depends on what we are finding as we go through each round of treatment.
For instance, there are patients who really want to allow themselves to keep trying to have a baby through IVF for as long as they feel it no matter what we suggest. But then there are times when we may suggest that their best chance for having a baby — as well as a way to decrease their cost and give them a higher chance of conception — might be to go with another treatment option. Possibly, we might recommend that they try egg donation if they have been doing IVF for quite sometime without any positive results.
Some patients just are not willing to consider an option like egg donation, though, until they feel like they have at least given themselves enough of a chance with an option like IVF. So we let them do that because that is their choice. We just try to give them all the information that we can about what possibilities are out there, so they can make the most informed decision possible.
In cases like that, where a couple has been trying for a while without success still wants to continue trying, we will put them through more rounds of IVF until we begin to see that we are not getting many eggs, or when the egg quality is poor. It is at that time that I will tell that particular patient may that maybe she should not try another round of IVF, and that maybe she should try another option instead.
If that type of situation arises with a patient who we didn’t anticipate any issues like that with, we will certainly look at the egg quality and determine at that point whether egg donation might end up being a better choice for their particular situation.
Adoption is another choice that we will bring up with patients. However, in the end, it is their decision which fertility treatment option they would like move forward with.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
