“TO IVF OR NOT TO IVF?” THAT IS THE QUESTION!

IVF is a time of hope for many couples. This may be the time and way that a couple becomes pregnant! A lot of time and money is invested into each attempt. But of course that comes with the uncertainty as to if it will be successful or not. Therefore, it is also a time of fear. There’s no guarantee that it will work, so going through these tests, medications, etc. is an emotional time full of hope and fear for most couples.

Undergoing IVF treatments is very rigorous. The woman undergoes many medications and shots with frequent appointments. There are many steps and each step coincides with the next. If one step along the way isn’t “right,” it may stop or slow down the whole process. (You need to take drugs to make more follicles, but it can result in too many follicles and over stimulation and then you have to stop all medications. You may get all the way to the fertilization after the egg retrieval and none of the sperm and eggs fertilize together to form an embryo.) Each successful milestone is just one step closer to the hopeful pregnancy.

With all the hype in the news, many people assume that IVF is a sure thing. But in fact, the odds of success are fairly low. Generally speaking, it’s a 50/50 chance. So, if it fails, which there is that 50% chance that it will – the blow can be devastating.

Probably the biggest factor of IVF is the financial strain. One cycle of IVF is extremely expensive. Especially if you do not have any insurance coverage for ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology), choosing to pursue these medical options is very difficult. Many have to pay for a large part of all of the costs out of their pocket. Many couples cannot afford to try for one cycle, yet alone multiples times.

IVF also raises ethical issues. Therefore, it can also be difficult for a couple to tell others about their decision to proceed with IVF as any people can form judgmental and uninformed responses. It’s a gray area in many ethical ways, and many of our moral leaders don’t yet even know how to answer the questions that have arisen from this technology. For many couples, IVF may be the only way they will ever be able to have their own biological baby. This is a huge decision. Try to put yourself in their shoes for a bit. How would you feel? What would you do? You have no idea how many times I've questioned myself as to if I'm trusting in science too much and not God enough. It can just tug your mind and heart in such crazy directions!

A couple who goes through IVF has a hard, expensive road ahead. They need support. The hormones, heartache, and financial burdens are enormous. They wouldn’t be going through this if there were any easier way. And the fact that they are willing to endure so much is proof of how much they truly want to parent a child.

Acknowledge that this is one of the biggest challenges life may bring someone. It’s effects shouldn’t be taken lightly...