Many people who have faced IVF failure have found success through surrogacy, giving them the chance to have a biological child without enduring more physical and emotional strain.
It’s normal to feel frustrated, exhausted or even heartbroken. Deciding to stop IVF doesn’t define you or your ability to be a parent. You’ve done your best, and now it’s time to think about what comes next in your journey.
In this article, we’ll explore when to quit IVF, how to cope with the emotional impact of IVF failure and what your next options could be.
If you’re feeling unsure about continuing IVF, know that you’re not alone—and there are alternatives that could be a better fit for you. Reach out today to explore how surrogacy could help you build your family with hope and confidence.
I Want to Be a Parent But I Don’t Want to Do IVF Anymore
If you’re feeling like it’s time to give up on IVF, it’s completely understandable. After multiple failed cycles, the emotional and physical toll can feel overwhelming. You might be considering quitting ivf because:
- Emotional exhaustion: Repeated IVF failures can lead to frustration, sadness, and a sense of defeat. The emotional rollercoaster can be overwhelming.
- Physical toll: IVF medications, appointments, and procedures take a physical toll on your body, leading to fatigue and burnout.
- Financial strain: The cost of multiple IVF cycles can add up, making you question whether it’s worth continuing.
- Few or no embryos left: Running low or being out of embryos can make the thought of starting over feel exhausting and emotionally heavy.
- Need for a break: Sometimes, taking a step back is necessary to focus on your emotional and physical health before deciding what’s next.
The constant hope followed by disappointment, along with the stress of medications and appointments, can leave you exhausted and questioning whether it’s worth continuing.
Your Options: Surrogacy After Failed IVF
Many people who face IVF failure find success through surrogacy. With a healthy, screened surrogate carrying your baby, you increase the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Surrogacy may also be more cost-effective in some cases, especially if you’ve already undergone multiple rounds of IVF.
Here’s how surrogacy after failed IVF can work for you:
- Use your IVF embryos: If you have embryos left from your IVF cycles, you can use those with your surrogate.
- We work with families with one embryo: We’re one of the few agencies that will work with families who have just one embryo. Some agencies won’t work with individuals or couples with a single embryo, but American Surrogacy will.
- Donor eggs: You can use an egg bank or fertility clinic to find donor eggs to create embryos for surrogacy.
- Double donor IVF: For those needing both egg and sperm donations, double donor IVF is a possibility, allowing you to still pursue surrogacy.
- Donor embryos: If you’re running low on embryos or don’t have any left, donor embryos can be a great option to move forward with surrogacy.
Whether you have embryos left or need donor assistance, surrogacy offers a path forward when IVF alone hasn’t been successful.
If you’re curious about how surrogacy works or want to know more about the process, reach out to our surrogacy specialists today. If you’re not ready to reach out, check out our article about your options.
When to Give Up on IVF After Multiple Failed Attempts
Every fertility journey is different, and people choose to stop IVF for various reasons.
Here are situations where it may be time to consider moving on from failed IVF:
- Repeated IVF failures: Even after adjusting medications or trying donor eggs, medical factors such as uterine issues, autoimmune problems or unexplained infertility may prevent implantation.
- Financial strain: IVF can be expensive. If you need to undergo multiple cycles, it can cause significant financial strain. You may start to question whether it’s worth continuing to spend money on a path that might not lead to a family.
- Burnout: The emotional, mental and even physical toll of IVF can be overwhelming. If you or your partner are feeling burnt out, or if one of you isn’t fully on board with continuing, it’s important to listen to those feelings. IVF should be a joint decision, and both partners need to be on the same page.
- Out of embryos: If you have few or no embryos left, the thought of creating more through IVF may feel exhausting or unattainable. The emotional weight of this can make it harder to continue.
No matter your reason, deciding against IVF is okay. It doesn’t make you any less of a potential parent. You’ve given it your all, and now you can explore new options.
How to Move on After Failed IVF
Coping with IVF failure is not easy, and you may be feeling a range of emotions, such as grief and anger. It’s important to give yourself permission to feel those emotions and then find ways to process them.
Moving on doesn’t mean forgetting about IVF or pretending it didn’t matter. It’s about accepting that this chapter didn’t go the way you hoped, but your journey is far from over.
Here are some strategies for coping with IVF failure:
- Join a support group. Talking to others who’ve been through similar experiences can be comforting. The National Infertility Organization has a list of peer- and professionally-led groups you could join.
- Seek therapy. A professional therapist can help you navigate the emotional complexity of IVF failure and help you develop healthy coping skills. You can search for infertility therapists online.
- Lean on your support system. Friends and family can be a vital source of comfort. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed.
- Practice self-care. Make time for activities that help you relax, whether that’s exercising, meditating or just taking time for yourself.
It’s important to take the time you need to heal. Sometimes quitting IVF opens the door to other possibilities that may be better suited for your situation. The road may look different now, but it’s not the end of your journey — just a new chapter.
Affording Surrogacy After Quitting IVF
Are you considering surrogacy after deciding to stop IVF? The process can be expensive, but there are several ways to make it more affordable.
Here are some options to consider:
- Employer Benefits: Check with your human resources department to see if your employer offers fertility benefits that cover surrogacy expenses.
- Savings: If you’ve been setting money aside for IVF but are now considering surrogacy, reallocating those funds could help reduce the financial burden.
- Grants: Look for grants specifically designed for individuals pursuing fertility treatments or surrogacy. You may need to demonstrate financial need or have an infertility diagnosis to be eligible for some grants.
- Surrogacy Loans: Some lenders offer specialized loans for fertility treatments. They may have flexible terms to meet your needs.
- Home Equity Line of Credit: If you own a home and have built equity, a home equity line of credit may provide a low-interest way to finance surrogacy.
- Payment Plans: Many agencies offer structured payment plans, allowing you to pay for services in installments instead of a lump sum.
- Crowdfunding: Platforms like GoFundMe can help you gather financial support from friends, family and your community.
Take the First Step Toward Surrogacy After Failed IVF
You have options beyond IVF, and your journey to parenthood isn’t over—it’s just taking a new direction. Our specialists can help you explore surrogacy.
Contact us today to take the next step with confidence.