IVF Failure: Questions, Expectations, and Next Step Tips

When there are difficulties conceiving, IVF may be recommended by gynecologists. Although there are many success stories about IVF from the internet, family, and friends, there are also cases of in vitro fertilization failure. If you experience IVF failure, here is what you may expect after and what you can do next in your pursuit of parenthood.

What Are the Causes of IVF Failure?

Here are some causes of IVF failure:

• Limited Embryo selection methods: In IVF, fertilization occurs outside the body before the embryologist selects embryos for transfer into the uterus. These selection methods are limited since they can’t differentiate normal from abnormal sources, which can lead to IVF failure.
• Egg Abnormalities: Egg abnormalities can occur due to mutations, the presence of free oxygen radicals, or waste products of metabolism. 
• Sperm Abnormalities: Sperm abnormalities that may cause sperm failure include poor motility and chromosomal abnormalities.
• Inappropriate conditions: IVF is done in a controlled setting that should simulate the female reproductive system. Suppose there are unsuitable laboratory conditions, then IVF failure is inevitable. 

What Are the Expectations After Failure of IVF?

After IVF failure, your first step should be a consultation with your doctor to identify the possible cause. Your doctor may request hormone profiles, pelvic imaging, or check laboratory conditions. The doctor can also make treatment modifications to make sure ovarian stimulation is optimal. The next course of treatment depends on age, cause of failure, and your preferences. 

What Can You Do After Failed IVF?

Your subsequent steps following the failure of in vitro fertilization depend on the most likely cause. Consult your gynecologist and get an honest chance estimate with a second trial. If they had difficulties stimulating the ovaries, consider changing the drugs and trying again. If the egg quality is acceptable, you can try a second IVF treatment from the same or a different fertility clinic.

When there are significant embryo issues, it is more likely an egg issue or laboratory conditions. You can switch to a clinic with a higher IVF success rate to see if embryo and lab conditions improve the conception chances. When failure is due to egg and sperm abnormalities, you might consider using donor eggs and sperm. 

Search for IVF support groups within your locality. Since there are many couples with similar issues, you can connect to gain support. This helps you feel a little less alone as you pursue parenthood. Testimonials can inspire and offer an outlet to help you cope.

To express your emotions and feelings, seek guidance from a certified fertility counselor. It will help you handle emotions instead of letting them escalate. A counselor can also give tips to help you cope with IVF failure. If you are married, consider attending couple counseling to help each of you learn how to support each other throughout the process.

What Other Options Can You Explore?

Depending on the cause of failure, here are the options you can consider:

Gestational Surrogacy 

Surrogacy involves the creation of embryos from the mother’s eggs and the father’s sperm before they are transferred to a surrogate. A surrogate is a woman who can carry a pregnancy and has no genetic link to the child. However, it can be an expensive option, especially when agency fees are taken into account. Fortunately, there are plenty of surrogacy agency alternatives if you can’t afford the agency fees.

It is ideal for:

• When illnesses impact a woman such that pregnancy is too risky
• Same-sex couples 
• People with uterus conditions or when a uterus is removed surgically
• When there is limited success with IVF
• Advanced maternal age
• Personal choice
• Unexplained infertility

Preimplantation Genetic Screening 

Preimplantation Genetic Screening analyzes and identifies abnormalities in embryos before they are implanted. Screening can identify an embryo with too few chromosomes or aneuploidy, a leading cause of pregnancy failure. By ensuring the implantation of embryos with no aneuploidy, we boost the chances of implantation and pregnancy.

Natural Pregnancy 

Suppose you cannot afford subsequent IVF treatment; not all hope is lost, as 1 in 6 couples who have undergone IVF do conceive naturally after unsuccessful IVF. A failed IVF doesn’t mean you won’t develop naturally in the future.

Unsuccessful IVF isn’t the end of becoming a parent. There is still hope that subsequent IVF cycles can be successful. Furthermore, there are other options for becoming a parent; you can leverage gestational surrogacy, use donor sperm and eggs, or do the preimplantation screening. Your opportunities for parenthood are never exhausted— get the help and guidance you need from professionals you can trust!