Choosing to start IVF (in vitro fertilization) is a big and very personal choice. Whether you’re looking into fertility treatment for the first time or switching from another way, asking yourself the right questions can help you make smart decisions. Understanding the process from every angle is important because IVF includes medical, emotional, and financial obligations. Before you start IVF, talking to a trusted fertility expert like Eliran Mor, MD, can give you useful information and specific answers to these important questions.

Please ensure you are prepared for the journey ahead by asking these important questions before beginning IVF treatment.

1. Am I A Good Candidate For IVF?

IVF is not always recommended to people who are having fertility issues. As a first step, talk to your doctor about whether IVF is the best option for you. Age, underlying health problems, previous medications, and sexual history can all impact the recommendation for IVF. Certain people may first try less invasive methods of treatment like IUI (intrauterine insemination).

2. What Are The Success Rates For Someone Like Me?

IVF success rates can vary a lot depending on the person’s age, illness, and other health issues. Ask your fertility expert for information that is unique to your case. Keeping your expectations in check and making smart choices about how many rounds you want to try or whether to look into options like donor eggs or sperm can help you manage your expectations.

3. What Does The IVF Process Involve?

IVF entails several steps, including ovarian stimulation, egg removal, fertilization, embryo growth, and embryo transfer. Talk to your doctor about each step and what to expect mentally and physically. You can get ready for what’s to come by learning about schedules, medications, and clinic visits.

4. What Tests Will We Need Before Starting?

Before treatment starts, both people (or both partners) usually go through several tests, such as hormone tests, ultrasounds, semen analysis, and tests for infectious diseases. Find out what tests you need and how they will influence your treatment strategy. Understanding the possible need for genetic tests or diagnostic treatments like hysteroscopy is also helpful.

5. What Are The Risks And Side Effects?

IVF is mostly safe, but there are some things that could go wrong. Some of these are ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS), multiple pregnancies (if more than one embryo is moved), and mental stress. Be sure to ask the clinic about how they handle complications and any side effects that might come from the fertility drugs.

6. How Many Embryos Will You Transfer?

Find out how the clinic chooses how many embryos to transfer and what their policy is for transferring just one embryo if you want to. Multiple embryo transfers may increase the chance of getting pregnant, but they also increase the risk of multiple births, which could cause more complications. Based on your age and health, your doctor will tell you what is best.

7. What Happens To Extra Embryos?

If you have extra healthy embryos, you can ask about cryopreservation. You can save these embryos to use later or give them away. Find out what the clinic’s storage rules are, how much they cost, and what law or consent deals are involved.

8. What Are The Total Costs, And What’s Included?

The cost of IVF can be quite high. Determine the total cost and the included services. Check to see if the fees include doctor visits, drugs, blood tests, ultrasounds, freezing embryos, and follow-up visits. Ask about payment plans, insurance coverage age, and financial help options as well.

9. How Do You Handle Failed Cycles?

Not all IVF cycles lead to a baby. Find out how the clinic helps people when their tries fail. Can I get help from them? In the next cycle, will they change the protocol? You can prepare mentally and literally by understanding how setbacks are handled in this age.

10. Who Will Serve As My Primary Contact? 

You’ll talk to doctors, nurses, coordinators, and lab workers while you’re getting treatment. Please identify the primary contact for any questions, information, or issues you may have. For things to go smoothly, there needs to be positive contact.

Conclusion

IVF is a possible but difficult way to become a parent. You can take charge of your experience, understand your options, and build trust with your fertility team if you ask the right questions. Every trip is different, but if you plan ahead and have a care team that knows what they’re doing, you can move forward with clarity and trust.