the Cost of In Vitro Fertilization

An egg is removed and mixed with sperm outside the womb in a laboratory environment. The fertilized egg is returned to the womb.

We were not pleased with the service at this particular provider, and switched after one failed in vitro attempt.

Our second provider did a more thorough analysis of both parties, and determined that a lack of or overly dry mucous in the woman was hindering the progress of sperm. Ovulation in this second method was induced with injection, and sperm was injected into the womb. This resulted in a successful pregnancy.

Choose your provider carefully.

Make sure you establish a good rapport with the doctor, and be wary of doctors who are authoritarian and do not consider a full range of options.

Be wary if doctors are substituted in the course of care. (In this case, the initial doctor suffered an unforeseen illness that made the switch necessary.) The second doctor did not seem to be fully aware of all the work that had been done under the first doctor's tenure.

Pay close attention to the doctors' instructions, and be careful when collecting the sperm so that all is captured, especially the initial portion (i.e, take care not to be in position to collect and do not spill). A poorly collected sample will drive down measured sperm count by a factor of five or more.