For example, a woman who is 35 years old and has unexplained infertility has about a 20% chance of conceiving with each IVF cycle. A woman who is 40 years old and has endometriosis has about a 40% chance of conceiving with each IVF cycle.
Emotional considerations - Making the decision to pursue fertility treatment can be a very emotional one. There are many unknowns involved in fertility treatment, and it can be a roller coaster ride emotionally. You may feel hopeful one day and discouraged the next. It is important to have a strong support network in place before you start fertility treatment. This could include family and friends, as well as a support group for people going through fertility treatment.
There are also some practical considerations to keep in mind when making the decision to pursue fertility treatment. One is the time commitment involved in fertility treatment cycles. Each cycle of IVF takes approximately four to six weeks from start to finish, including two weeks of medication leading up to egg retrieval and two weeks of waiting for implantation after embryo transfer. ICSI adds an additional week to the timeline due to the need for sperm injection prior to egg retrieval. If you are using donor eggs or sperm, there may be additional time required for matching and shipping procedures prior to starting your cycle.
Another practical consideration is that you will need to take time off work for appointments related to your cycles (egg retrieval, embryo transfer). You will also need someone to stay with you during this time period since you will be unable recover from anesthesia immediately following your procedure(s). Recovery from egg retrieval usually takes one day while recovery from embryo transfer usually takes two days.
