Being a parent may be something you’ve been looking forward to for years. Even if your latest IVF cycle was unsuccessful, you do have options after failed IVF that can still bring your dreams of parenthood to life.
With decades of experience creating families, we know there are plenty of alternatives to IVF that allow you to start or grow your family. Contact us online to get more free information about the options discussed in this article.
Below, we’ll walk you through why your cycle may not have been successful and what you can do next to become that much closer to becoming a parent.
When to Consider Other Options After Failed IVF
Before you can determine your options after failed IVF, you need to know why it failed in the first place. That could impact your options and decision making process moving forward.
IVF failure can happen because of:
As you get older, egg quality and quantity decrease. This leads to an increase in the chance of genetic abnormalities. Quantity and quality of your eggs play a significant role when it comes to the chances of successful fertilization and implantation. Being over the age of 35 can mean a lower ovarian reserve and any eggs you do have being considered lower quality. Embryos can have abnormalities even if everything with egg retrieval and fertilization goes smoothly. Aneuploidy happens when there are an abnormal number of chromosomes in a cell. This abnormality can stop an embryo from implanting or even cause a miscarriage. The lining of the uterus, also called the endometrium, is where the embryo implants. Implantation can be disrupted by issues such as polycystic ovary syndrome, fibroids, polyps or the lining not being thick enough. Unexplained infertility occurs when standard fertility tests fail to identify a specific cause. This situation can make you feel stuck, as you are often left without clear answers. Consider your own medical history when deciding between your options moving forward. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are just two common examples that can make a pregnancy dangerous or unlikely.
IVF is Not Your Only Option
One of the options you have after IVF failure is to try additional cycles.
Just because it failed the first time does not mean it won’t work. In fact, on average, it takes three IVF cycles to conceive when using your own eggs.
If your situation won’t allow for IVF to work, IVF is not your only option. These other family-building methods can be viable paths to parenthood for you too:
- Adoption
- Embryo donation
- Surrogacy
Adoption after Failed IVF
You deserve a family, and adoption is an alternative to IVF you can consider. Adoption is a life-changing journey that gives you:
- The joy of starting a family
- The opportunity to raise and love a child
- A meaningful relationship with the potential birth parents
Adoption creates a brighter future for everyone involved that does not involve you when it comes to the conception of the child.
If a genetic relationship to your child is important to you, then surrogacy may be the right fit.
Surrogacy after Failed IVF
Choosing surrogacy makes the dreams of a bigger family that you've always wanted possible.Why Surrogacy?
Surrogacy may be right for you if one or more of the following circumstances apply to your situation:
- Limited success with IVF
- Medical problems or illness that affect the health of the uterus
- Previous surgeries or hysterectomy that removed the uterus
- Conditions that make pregnancy or childbirth risky.
- Unexplained infertility
- Advanced maternal age
A surrogate may be a good option after multiple IVF failures due to uterine issues or other health conditions that may make pregnancy dangerous or impossible, even when embryos are healthy.
Use Your Remaining Embryos
You can use any leftover embryos from a failed IVF cycle to pursue surrogacy, saving you time and money and giving those embryos another chance to result in a successful pregnancy.
If necessary, you can create more embryos using IVF or acquire donor embryos. Your embryos will then be transferred to your surrogate’s uterus.
Rebeka, a mom who chose surrogacy, had an ectopic pregnancy leading to emergency surgery that made her realize conceiving with her husband wouldn’t be an option this time around.
No matter the reason for why you can’t carry a child yourself, you’ve waited long enough for a child. Your future with the family you’ve always dreamed of can start with choosing surrogacy after failed IVF. If you already have embryos, we can match you with a surrogate in an average of 1-6 months.
Avoid Further Financial and Emotional Strain
Cost is a common concern for those looking to grow their family. Anytime you try another IVF cycle, it can run you anywhere from $14,000 - $20,000 on average.
Surrogacy can be more cost-effective when it comes to your ultimate goal of becoming a parent and is an alternative to IVF if that’s no longer viable for your situation.
What to do After IVF Failed [Get the Support You Deserve]
Even before going through your options after failed IVF, you need to take the proper time to address the many emotions you may feel after learning your timeline to becoming a parent has shifted.
Take the time to process the news and allow yourself to grieve Talk to someone you trust Prepare for your follow-up appointment Consider all your options Consider making lifestyle changes Take care of yourself
Whatever emotions you are feeling once learning IVF has failed are normal and valid.
These emotions can come and go, be overwhelming and take a toll on your well-being which is why it’s important to reach out to get the support you deserve when determining your options after IVF failure.
Beyond your immediate circle that acts as a support group, you can utilize other infertility support groups online as well. There are professional options available too, with counseling specifically dedicated to infertility.
Support Groups
Counseling
My IVF Failed: Now What?
- Step 1: Talk to your fertility specialist to determine why IVF failed for you.
- Step 2: Figure out your options moving forward.
- Step 3: Lean on friends, family, counseling and/or support groups.
- Step 4: Make the decision that’s best for you.
Get the support you deserve by filling out our online form. We’re here for you whenever you need us.