By Dr. Courtney Failor
Starting a family is an exciting journey, but for the one in six couples facing infertility, it can be a challenging, overwhelming experience. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in vitro fertilization (IVF), provide hope and help to individuals and couples who are struggling to conceive.
IVF is the most effective form of assisted reproduction and one of the most widely used fertility treatments today, with over 8 million babies born in the U.S. through IVF. Since its introduction more than 40 years ago, the technologies used in IVF have evolved. Innovations like preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A) are improving success rates.
Although infertility can be caused by a number of different factors and include female infertility, male factor infertility, or unexplained infertility, IVF can be very successful. It’s important to incorporate personalized recommendations for care from a fertility specialist in order to maximize your chances of success.
The IVF Process
IVF might sound complicated, but it’s actually done through a few simple steps. First, hormones are injected to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The eggs are retrieved via a minor surgical procedure while the patient is under light sedation, and the sperm sample is collected. Next, the egg and sperm are combined in a lab and monitored as they divide. Finally, the embryos are inserted into the uterus. If PGT-A is being performed, embryos are biopsied at the blastocyst stage, frozen, and transferred in another cycle.
Who Can Benefit from IVF?
IVF is a valuable option for both single individuals and couples facing various fertility challenges, including blocked or absent fallopian tubes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, male-factor infertility, unexplained fertility, and age-related fertility decline.
For LGBTQIA+ couples, IVF can open the doors to parenthood through the use of donor sperm, donor eggs, gestational carrier, and reciprocal IVF. Here, both female partners can participate in the process with one person providing the egg and the other carrying the pregnancy.
Why Are Multiple Embryos Created?
A common misunderstanding about IVF is why additional embryos are created. The reason for this lies in the odds of success.
Studies show that a single chromosomally normal embryo has about a 65% chance of resulting in a live birth. However, not all fertilized eggs develop into viable embryos—on average, nearly half do not reach the blastocyst stage.
As we age, the likelihood of an embryo being chromosomally normal decreases. Women under 35 can expect that about 50-65% of their blastocysts will be euploid, but this percentage drops to around 25% for women aged 40-42 and 10% or lower for those over 43. Even if everything goes perfectly, a woman who has 20 eggs at the time of retrieval could conceivably end up with only a few embryos for transfer.
Does IVF Lead to Multiple Pregnancies?
In the early days of IVF, transferring multiple embryos was common to improve the chances of pregnancy. However, advancements such as PGT-A have significantly increased the success rate of single embryo transfers, reducing the risk of multiples and making IVF safer for mother and baby.
In contrast, intrauterine insemination (IUI) often involves ovulation-inducing medications that can lead to the fertilization of multiple eggs, making IVF a more controlled option focused on embryo quality rather than quantity.
The Importance of Fertility Education
Understanding the IVF process is key to making informed decisions about your fertility journey. With knowledge comes empowerment, allowing individuals and couples to navigate their options confidently and choose the best path for their family.
To learn more or to schedule a patient consultation, please visit https://www.aspirefertility.com/san-antonio-texas or call us at (210) 337-8453.
