Before IVF
When you first decide to try for a baby, it is such an exciting time. You are full of hopes and dreams for the future. However, for some couples, these hopes and dreams turn to despair when months and months go by without a positive pregnancy test.
Something that started with such excitement can quickly turn into one of the most stressful times of their life. Not everyone is aware as they start their fertility journey, that there can be numerous options available for couples before In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is explored.
What are the options?
The first step is to get a thorough medical assessment to discover the exact cause of infertility. Depending on this cause, and if it is male or female infertility (or both), there are numerous treatments that can be attempted first. These can include:
- Simple ovulation monitoring with blood tests and timing intercourse.
- Ovulation induction with medication and timing intercourse.
- Inseminating sperm (partner/s or donor’s) directly into the uterus through the vagina, with or without ovulation induction medication.
- Sperm retrieval from the testicles directly.
If the above have failed, or in more complex cases, then IVF is the next step. When women are first exploring IVF, it can be very scary and overwhelming. It is important to get familiar with the basic process and options that are available in these situations, in order to make informed decisions and understand one’s treatment.
For more info: About infertility
