In-vitro fertilization (IVF) provides couples experiencing difficulty conceiving a child a chance at having a baby. IVF may not always be successful, and when it fails, couples may have a hard time coping. You are not alone if you have experienced a failed IVF treatment, and there are other fertility treatment options to explore. Here is how to cope and what to do after IVF failure:
Coping With Failed IVF
Individuals and couples may experience frustration, disappointment, and grief after IVF failure. Acknowledging and processing these emotions can make it easier to cope with the results of your IVF treatment. Here are some tips to help you cope after a failed round of IVF:
Get Professional Help
Consider seeking professional counseling after your failed IVF. Traditional therapy sessions can help you navigate your complex feelings. Sessions with a fertility counselor can provide a safe space for you and your partner to express your feelings and experience with the treatment. Your counselor can offer healthy coping strategies and communication tools to help you move forward.
Take Time To Heal
While you might want to get back to your IVF treatment immediately after the failed IVF, it helps to give yourself time to grieve your unmet expectations. Consider taking a break from your fertility treatments as you undergo counseling. Focus on self-care and stress reduction techniques. These can help improve your mental state before attempting further fertility treatment.
Build a Support System
Surrounding yourself with people who understand and empathize with you can help you feel less alone after a failed IVF treatment. Consider joining a support group to connect with people who have experienced failed IVF. Sharing your experience and getting advice from members of your support team can be validating and encouraging.
What To Do After IVF Failure
Take time to to reevaluate your fertility goals and treatment options after a failed IVF round. This can help you determine whether your should try IVF again or pursue a different treatment. Here are some actions you can take after an IVF failure:
Learn Why IVF Failed
Getting an assessment from your fertility doctor can help you determine why the IVF failed. Embryos failing to develop in the womb is one reason why IVF treatments fail. Failed embryo development may result from egg quality issues or failed implantation. A medical exam helps your doctor estimate the risks and chances of success with another IVF round. After the examination, your fertility doctor can advise you on the best way forward for your fertility journey. If you choose to try another round of IVF, your fertility doctor may conduct tests to identify any conditions that may result in another failure.
Explore Treatment Options
Your fertility doctor may recommend using a donor egg or sperm for your next round of IVF if tests reveal that the failed IVF resulted from egg or sperm quality issues. Preimplantation genetic screening can rule out chromosomal abnormalities. Selecting healthy, viable embryos helps minimize the chances of failed implantation. Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes to improve your chances of a successful pregnancy.
Surrogacy is an option when IVF failure results from uterine abnormalities that cause implantation failure or repeated miscarriages. Fertility doctors implant an embryo created with the intended mother’s eggs in a gestational surrogate’s womb. The surrogate carries the pregnancy and gives the baby to the genetic mother after delivery. Consider your fertility doctor’s recommendations and to determine which IVF treatment is right for you.
Hope After Failed IVF
A failed IVF treatment does not have to put an end to your dreams of becoming a parent. Seeking professional assistance and taking time off fertility treatments can help you cope with the emotional impact of IVF failure. After taking time to prioritize your phyriscal, mental, and emotional health, you can get an assessment from your fertility doctor to determine why your IVF failed. With comprehensive testing, your doctor can recommend treatments to improve your chances of a successful pregnancy. Contact a fertility specialist today to learn more about IVF treatment options.
