Fertility treatment: In vitro fertilization (IVF) | BabyCenter

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a fertility treatment in which sperm and eggs are combined in a laboratory. The resulting embryo or embryos are transferred to the woman's uterus, where they grow into a baby.

IVF is by far the most commonly used high-tech fertility treatment, accounting for more than 99 percent of assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. About 1 in 100 babies born in the United States is conceived using ART.

IVF can help you get pregnant if you have problems with ovulation or egg quality, blocked fallopian tubes, or endometriosis; if your partner has problems with sperm count or motility; or if you're using donor eggs to become pregnant.

IVF may also be an option if your doctor can't pinpoint the problem (this is called "unexplained infertility") or if other treatments have been unsuccessful.

The timeline for IVF treatment usually goes something like this:

You can take a pregnancy test about two weeks after the embryos are placed in your uterus.

It takes about four to six weeks to complete one cycle of IVF.

You have to wait a few weeks for your eggs to mature. Then you and your partner spend about half a day at your doctor's office or clinic having your eggs retrieved and fertilized. You have to go back again three to five days later to have the embryos inserted into your uterus, but you'll be able to go home that same day.

The outcomes of IVF vary dramatically, depending on each couple's reasons for infertility and their ages. Younger women usually have healthier eggs and higher success rates. Based on recent national data, the percentage of IVF cycles resulting in a live birth (in which one or more babies are born) is about:

In the United States, expect to spend an average of $12,400 for one cycle of IVF if you're using your own eggs and your partner's sperm. The amount you'll pay depends on how much medicine you need, where you live, and whether your state mandates insurance coverage for fertility treatments. If your insurance doesn't cover them, you'll probably have to pay the entire cost up front.

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Fertility treatment: In vitro fertilization (IVF) | BabyCenter