What To Do If Your First Treatment Cycle Ends In A Failed IVF?

In 30% of cases there can be a failed IVF in the first cycle. Don't be disheartened. Here are a few simple things you can do to deal with it.

Infertility is a tough journey. After years of trying to conceive with no success, you finally make the decision to seek medical help and undergo in vitro fertilization (IVF). But then you have a failed IVF in the first cycle itself. You’re left feeling defeated, disappointed, and maybe even a little hopeless

But here’s the thing: you’re not alone. In fact, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, as many as 30% of those who go in for it face a failed IVF in the first cycle.

So what should you do next?

Here are four steps to take after your first cycle of IVF fails.

Talk to you doctor about what went wrong

The first step is to find out why your first cycle failed. Was it an issue with the egg? The sperm? Was implantation unsuccessful? By understanding what went wrong, you and your doctor can develop a plan for moving forward.

Fertility treatment is an ever-changing field, so there’s a good chance that new options will be available to you that weren’t available when you first started trying to conceive

Consider trying another cycle

For some couples, the answer is simply to try again. If your doctor thinks another cycle is likely to be successful, then it may be worth it to give it another shot.

Of course, this decision also comes down to finances—IVF treatment isn’t cheap, and it’s not usually covered by insurance.

Never miss real stories from India's women.

Register Now

Explore alternative treatment options

If you’re not ready or able to try another cycle of IVF right away, there are other fertility treatments that may be worth considering.

These include intrauterine insemination (IUI), which involves placing sperm directly into the uterus; ovulation induction, which helps women with ovulation disorders ovulate on their own; and donor eggs or sperm, which may be an option if there are issues with eggs or sperm quality

Seeking emotional support crucial after a failed IVF

No matter what decisions you make about fertility treatment, it’s important to have emotional support throughout the process.

Turn to family and friends for understanding and love or seek out a therapist or support group specifically for individuals struggling with infertility.

It can be helpful to talk about your experiences with others who truly understand what you’re going through.

A failed IVF doesn’t mean you lose hope

Making the decision to undergo fertility treatment is never easy—and neither is dealing with the disappointment of a failed cycle. If your first IVF cycle doesn’t result in pregnancy, don’t lose hope; there are still plenty of options available to you.

Talk to your doctor about what went wrong and consider trying another cycle, exploring alternative treatment options such as IUI or ovulation induction, or seeking out emotional support from family and friends or a therapist specializing in infertility issues. No matter what path you choose, know that you are not alone on this journey.

Image source: a still from Marathi film Karaar

Liked this post?

Join the 100000 women at Women's Web who get our weekly mailer and never miss out on our events, contests & best reads - you can also start sharing your own ideas and experiences with thousands of other women here!

Comments

About the Author

Dr Jay Mehta

IVF | Infertility | Endometriosis Specialist in Mumbai India read more...

1 Posts | 484 Views

Stay updated with our Weekly Newsletter or Daily Summary - or both!

All Categories