Infertility issues are far too common, with one in every eight couples facing fertility issues. Many find that IVF or in vitro fertilization is a great option to allow them to start the family that they desire. Before you sign up for this medical treatment, there are some things that couples should know and consider first.

Success Varies Depending On Age

It’s important to realize that age does play a pivotal role in the success of IVF. As a woman ages, the success rate of IVF declines. It’s estimated that a woman in her early 40s who wants to use her own eggs has a 15 percent chance of IVF working. As she approaches her mid-40s, that success rate drops to less than five percent.

IVF Success Rates Vary By Region

The CDC requires that all medical facilities offering IVF report their clinical data. This data can be easily found at the CDC.gov website. The data that is displayed right now shows there is a varying difference in success rates between different cities and regions throughout the country. You may want to take a look at the success rates in your area to determine if you may want to choose a clinic in another region.

It Doesn’t Increase Your Chances Of Multiple Fetuses

One common misconception about IVF treatment is that it increases your risk of having multiple fetuses. That is simply not true. The treatment facility will only implant one embryo at a time. It’s up to your genetic makeup whether or not the one embryo naturally splits into twins, triplets, or more. In most cases, having multiple children with one birth sparks from a long family history.

IVF Isn’t Recommended Right Away

For your doctor to consider you eligible for IVF, you must have been trying to have a child for more than one year without success. Your doctor will evaluate the sexual health of both you and your significant other to determine if there are any obvious issues causing infertility. If IVF is recommended, it typically takes most couples about six embryo implants to achieve pregnancy.

IVF has changed the ability of many people to finally achieve pregnancy after many years of no success. However, it’s not something that you should jump into without having adequate knowledge about. You’ll need to understand the information above thoroughly before you consider undergoing this form of medical treatment. Remember, if there’s a part of the process that you don’t fully understand, it’s best to ask your doctor.