Multiple attempts at IVF can be difficult, physically and emotionally. Deciding when to give up on IVF after multiple failed cycles is an emotional and challenging decision for couples.
If you're feeling worn out by repeated attempts and the heartache of negative results, you might be questioning whether it's time to move on from IVF or even explore other family-building options like embryo donation or surrogacy.
Giving up on IVF doesn’t mean giving up on your dream of parenthood — it’s about finding a new path forward.
Only you can know when giving up on IVF is right for your situation. Filling out our online contact form is just one step you can take toward helping determine when and how to move on from failed IVF.
Below, we’ll break down the factors that can help decide what’s best for you when IVF isn’t working.
When to Give Up on IVF: When is IVF Not an Option?
Multiple failed IVF cycles may have you thinking about whether to keep trying or explore your other options.
Moving on after multiple failed IVF attempts could be best for your situation if:
Consider your own medical history when figuring out when IVF is not an option. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are just two common examples that can make a pregnancy dangerous or unlikely. IVF failure can bring the pain of not knowing when you can become a parent. Fertility treatments impact every aspect of your life and bring a roller coaster of emotions. If IVF keeps failing, it may be best for your well-being to being open to altering your plans to start or grow your family. Take heed of your medical professional’s advice. A recommendation for giving up on IVF comes from looking at a number of factors such as your age, medical history and results of previous fertility treatments. If you don’t have any quality embryos left that are viable for transfer, then looking into other family building options may be an option for you. Fertility treatments can be costly and continuing treatments can put you at risk of going over your budgeted amount. As you get older, egg quality and quantity decrease which leads to an increase of a chance of genetic abnormalities.
How Many IVF Attempts Before Giving Up?
When it comes to giving up on IVF, there is no set amount of times you can undergo fertility treatments.
Although it’s not uncommon for there to be multiple IVF attempts before a pregnancy is confirmed, most clinics will recommend an average of three attempts. The chances of success rise with each transfer except after three attempts, where success rates decline.
Although you may not want to give up on IVF, there are situations where it may be best.
Options After Giving Up on IVF: What’s Next?
When it comes to how to move on after failed IVF, you have options that will still allow you to experience parenthood.
Adoption
Making the decision to grow your family through adoption creates a brighter future for everyone involved.
If being genetically related to your child is not as high of a priority on your list when creating your family, adoption can be an answer to IVF failure and infertility struggles.
Working with reputable professionals like adoption agencies means a safe, legal and ethical adoption process.
Alternative Fertility Treatments
If you’re having problems with infertility, then determining the cause of those problems could mean a different fertility treatment than IVF:
Infertility in women is often caused by hormone imbalances in the reproductive system. Endometriosis and PCOS are two examples of medical issues that can impact certain parts of functionality of the reproductive organs. Ovarian stimulation medications may help correct those hormone imbalances. If growths or adhesions are preventing you from getting pregnant, a laparoscopic surgery can increase your odds of pregnancy without many complications. A fiber optic scope is placed through a small incision made in your navel. This device allows doctors to find any cysts, fibroids, adhesion or damage to your reproductive organs. Endometriosis and IVF failure go hand in hand as do PCOS and IVF failure. Removing their presence can lead to better results during future attempts.
Embryo Donation
Depending on how many IVF cycles you have been through, you may not want to carry on whether that’s because of a personal preference or other factors such as the continued cost for every IVF cycle.
If you have few or no embryos left and cost is beginning to become more prevalent with your journey, embryo donation can give you the opportunity for another attempt at an IVF cycle.
Surrogacy after Failed IVF
Surrogacy is an option if you’ve experienced failed IVF cycles but still dream of having a biological child. With the help of a surrogate, you can achieve your family-building goals.
If you still have embryos when moving on after failed IVF, you’re that much closer to experiencing parenthood. You can use those embryos for surrogacy without having to create new ones.
If you have no viable embryos left, you can create more using yours and your partner’s egg and sperm or a donor’s, or locate donor embryos. Your embryos will then be transferred to your surrogate’s uterus to develop until she gives birth. Here are some reasons surrogacy may be an ideal next step if IVF isn’t working:
Surrogacy can give you the family you’ve always dreamed of, allowing you to be genetically related to your child while not carrying them to term. Choosing surrogacy with us means:
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All prospective surrogates must first meet certain requirements while passing a screening process too.
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You will always choose the surrogate for your child.
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You can be involved from conception to birth.
If you're considering this path, we can guide you through the process and help you explore surrogacy as a next step.
How to Move on IVF [Coming to Terms with Your Situation]
Unless there’s a recommendation from your medical professional, only you can know when it’s time to give up on IVF.
Whether there’s a medical aspect to giving up on IVF or being pushed to your limit fiscally, physically and/or emotionally, you need to accept it for what it is before you can decide how to move forward.
Acceptance could look different for each person, from looking at alternative options for growing your family or simply taking a break before deciding how to move forward.
Taking a break from multiple failed IVF cycles and the daily rigors of the process can be a great way to recover from the physical and emotional demands that come with the medications, injections, appointments and waiting to find out if it’s been successful.
Infertility Counseling
Infertility Support Groups
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IVF Professionally-led Support Group
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When: 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and 3 p.m. on Thursdays (PST)
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Cost: $50 per group session (requires commitment to a full 4- or 6-week group series; not drop-in)
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IVF, Primary & Secondary Infertility, Loss, RPL (Recurrent Pregnancy Loss) Peer-Led Support Group
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When: 7 p.m. on first Sunday of every month (EST)
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Cost: Free but RSVP required
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Next Steps after IVF Failure [Get the Support You Deserve]
Questioning when to give up on IVF while dealing with multiple infertility treatments is a common concern.
While only you know the answer for your situation, there is support available when it comes to how to move on from failed IVF beyond taking a step back and taking a break.
Contact us online to get more free information about your options if there have been multiple failed IVF cycles and want to learn more about adoption or surrogacy.