In vitro fertilization, or IVF treatment, has totally revolutionized the possibilities of pregnancy. And it's getting more and more common: Since 1987, more than 8 million babies have been born through the use of IVF or another assisted reproductive technology.
But IVF isn't a silver bullet for infertility. While it is revolutionary, the process can be complicated and confusing to navigate. To get the facts on what you need to know about IVF before trying to get pregnant, we spoke with Elizabeth Fino, M.D., an assistant professor at the department of obstetrics and gynecology at NYU Langone's Fertility Center, and Hal Danzer, M.D., a reproductive endocrinologist and cofounder of the Southern California Reproductive Center, for tips on how to best prepare for your fertility future.
1. IVF works best when you're younger.
IVF is often talked about in the context of women over 35 trying to conceive (that's considered "geriatric" in fertility years). But like all things related to fertility, your chances of getting pregnant with IVF are better the younger you are—success rates start to decline after your midthirties. "IVF doesn't really fix the age of your eggs, so you have to think about that early," Dr. Fino says.
2. Start with a fertility test.
Whether you want to get pregnant now or wait a little longer, it's a good idea to know where your fertility stands. Luckily, proactive fertility testing is easier to access than ever, with companies like Modern Fertility and Future Family offering affordable, at-home hormone tests.
These tests, among other things, typically measure your levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), which is a good indication of your ovarian reserves (i.e., how many eggs you have). "If you have a low reserve at age 33, then you're certainly going to have a lower reserve when you're older," says Dr. Danzer. It's not a perfect predictor of fertility—plenty of women with low ovarian reserves go on to get pregnant naturally—but it does give you some insight into potential problems down the road. Consider retesting yourself periodically. If your AMH test shows a high ovarian reserve and a follow-up test a year later shows a drastic drop, for example, that can be an indicator it's a good time to talk to a fertility specialist.
3. IVF isn’t always your first available option.
Many women think IVF is their first option if they want it, but the reality is many fertility doctors will tell you to try natural pregnancy first. "If you're 30 to 35, you should try for at least six months and if it's not working, then you do a workup to see what to target," says Dr. Fino.
Even after that, your doctor will most likely try oral or injectable fertility medication before IVF. Of course, there's always exceptions: Super-low AMH levels, low sperm count, multiple miscarriages, and a potential for certain genetic disorders may all influence how quickly a doctor recommends IVF.
4. It comes at a cost.
You've likely heard that IVF can be expensive. It's true. And while there are financing plans to make treatment more accessible, you'll still be looking at a steep price tag.
