What to Expect During and After Your IVF Evaluation
Nov 02, 2023
So, you’re considering IVF as a way to be able to conceive a child. That’s fantastic! This treatment can be highly effective, producing a national success rate of 46.7% in women 35 and younger in 2019. But how does the treatment work, and where do you start?
IVF often begins with an evaluation where we can help you determine if this treatment is right for you. At Gen 5 Fertility, Dr. Samuel Wood, Dr. Benito Villanueva, and Dr. Martin Bastuba strive to provide the best options starting with a full fertility evaluation.
IVF is usually best sought out once you and your partner have been trying to conceive for a year or longer through natural means and with no success. The process of IVF can be taxing, but many couples find it is the best way for them to conceive and give birth successfully.
However, IVF may not be the best option for you, so we start the process with a full fertility evaluation. The evaluation helps us determine the problem — or if there is one — and which treatment will best suit your needs.
When you come to our office in San Diego, one of the first things we’ll do is sit down and discuss your goals. We want to ensure we understand what you’re hoping to achieve and how and when. Then, we begin a thorough evaluation.
The evaluation involves taking your and your partner’s medical histories and any information about illnesses that run in the family. Next, we will usually require a physical examination followed by diagnostic testing.
To determine if you, your partner, or both of you may be dealing with infertility issues, we perform several diagnostic tests. Usually, semen analysis and hormonal testing are part of the process. In addition, you might require an ultrasound or a hysteroscopy to see if there are any abnormalities associated with your uterus.
The process can feel a bit exhaustive, but it helps determine what — if any — issues are causing your infertility. We hope to learn as much as possible before starting IVF so we can provide you with the best possible care.
Once we have the results from your various tests and we’ve considered them along with your medical history, we ask you to come in to discuss your options. Lower-cost infertility treatments with fewer side effects than IVF may benefit you.
If you can benefit from IVF, we can discuss what the treatment entails, your likely success rates, and your other options should the treatment be unsuccessful. Discussing all your expectations is also important at this stage, as you’ll want to be ready for what IVF may and may not be able to offer.
Once you have discussed everything, you and your partner may decide to continue with IVF treatment or choose another option. Whatever your choice, we’ll be with you every step of the way as you determine your best option for increasing the size of your family.
Determining if IVF is right for you takes time, but having the knowledge of your specific situation is extremely beneficial. We’re happy to help you start this journey with a fertility evaluation.
Call our San Diego, CA, office today, or make an appointment online at your convenience.