By now, whether you’re a hopeful intended parent or a hopeful gestational carrier, you probably have a rough idea of how the gestational surrogacy journey works. You get in contact with Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Reno, have your background check done and match with a gestational carrier or intended family. Once the matching process is done, the fun begins. The gestational carrier goes through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and becomes pregnant, thus beginning the final step of your IVF journey.

It seems simple enough when broken down that way, does it not? But there is one aspect of this journey that we haven’t delved into yet: IVF. You have questions…anyone would. It’s good to know what to expect before taking such a big leap. There are plenty of queries that pop up, which is why we compiled a handful of FAQs about the IVF process:

Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is IVF?

IVF is the process in which an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body. Then, the embryo is transferred into the uterus of the gestational carrier.

2) How does it work?

There are usually five main steps to IVF:

1. Stimulation of the Ovaries: A hormone that brings numerous eggs to maturity is shot into the stomach. This is generally done a few days after the gestational carrier’s menstrual cycle has ended.
2. Retrieval of the Eggs: As gestational carriers will not be providing their own samples, an intended parent will have to provide an egg sample or retrieve one provided by a donor. Once all eggs are mature, they are extracted during a visit to your fertility specialist.
3. Retrieval of the Sperm: This is just as it sounds! As an intended parent, you may have a partner who is able to provide a sample. If you’re a single, however, you will need a sample provided by a donor.
4. Fertilization of the Eggs: Once both samples have been retrieved, they will be combined in a laboratory dish. According to the University of Utah Health division, the next step is, “The healthiest fertilized egg, called a blastocyst, then has the potential to implant when transferred. If multiple blastocysts mature and their cells keep dividing, they can be frozen and preserved for a later transfer.”
5. Transfer of the Embryo: Once the embryo has been fertilized, it’s transferred through the cervix and into the uterus via a catheter. This is not unlike an annual pap smear.

3) Is IVF painful?

Many women worry about whether IVF is painful. It’s an understandable concern, what with the shot mentioned in the first step. Certainly, it has the potential to be painful – every woman’s body is different. However, as far as the shots go, they’re generally more uncomfortable than painful. When it comes to the egg retrieval, the patient in question will be under a moderate sedative. There may be some bloating or other mild discomfort afterwards, but nothing too intense. If, however, you begin experiencing any severe pain or other disconcerting symptoms, visit your fertility specialist as there could be a complication.

4) How successful is it?

There are plenty of factors to take into consideration when looking into the IVF process. One is age. If you’re under 35 years of age, there’s roughly a 37% chance for the process to result in a live birth, and the chances decrease with age. Another variable to keep in mind is your agency or fertility clinic. Be sure to ask what the birth and success rates are for Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Reno when you get in contact with us!

Another factor to consider is if you’ve successfully given birth before. This is a big reason why many agencies list it as a requirement before you become a gestational carrier. If you’ve previously had a successful pregnancy, your chances for success via IVF are higher.

5) How long can it take to get pregnant from IVF?

In all honesty…it depends. As we’ve said before, every woman is different. Taking the factors mentioned above into consideration, it could take a longer amount of time for some women than for others. Usually, the stimulation of the ovaries takes about two weeks. You’ll have to wait another 12-14 days after the embryo is transferred to know whether it resulted in pregnancy. This will be done via a blood test.

The IVF Process

With all of the unpleasantness going on in the world at the moment, it can be hard to steer your focus towards something more positive. Not to worry! If there are any questions you have regarding the “nitty gritty” details that go into IVF, or if you have any other questions that weren’t listed here, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us! We always enjoy hearing from you.

Be well, friends!

Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Reno

Adoption Choices, Inc. is a private, non-profit adoption agency licensed by the state and leader in the adoption community. We have been assisting birth parents, children, and adoptive parents since 2002. Our staff has a genuine commitment to providing an empathetic, empowering, and progressive experience to all involved in the adoption process.  If you are currently in the process of adopting a baby and have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Reno. You may visit the website or contact us by 775-227-5277.

Support Adoption Choices

Adoption Choices, Inc. is partnering with Crowdrise, a fundraising website for nonprofits, to help our adoptive parents and birth parents with much needed financial assistance. We understand that expenses keep clients from fulfilling their dreams. Both with birth parents making a plan for adoption, and with adoptive parents growing their family. It is our mission to provide financial assistance through grants and scholarships, awarded annually in November, in honor of National Adoption Month. Funds assist adoptive parents with matching and placements, adoption finalization and helping birth mothers improve their lives through higher education — and much more.

However, we can’t do it alone. Please read up on our programs and donate money where you are able. Your donation will make a huge impact.

Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Nevada has been providing adoption and surrogacy services across Nevada since 2012. For information specific to Las Vegas, please visit our sister site Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Las Vegas. For information specific to Reno, please visit our sister site Adoption and Surrogacy Choices of Reno. You can also call us to speak to someone now.
Contact Us 24/7: 855-940-4673 (Toll-Free) | 702-474-4673 (Las Vegas) | 775-825-4673 (Reno) | 775-738-4673 (Elko) | 775-884-4673 (Carson City).

Meet the Author: Mallorey English is an aspiring proofreader and editor. She’s completed a couple of online courses through Editorial Freelancers Association (EFA) and has used her education to help edit her mother’s inspirational book, Monday Motivation: 52 Weeks of Inspiration to Keep Moving in 2018 and running blog Life Up and Running. She hopes to one day become a full time freelance editor. 

When she isn’t working, Mallorey can be found on a yoga mat, crafting a new project, or watching her favorite movies. She currently resides in northern Nevada with her husband and hopes to add on to their family in the near future. 

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Sources:

CCRM: “12 IVF Truths No One Tells You About” https://www.ccrmivf.com/news-events/ivf-truths/

Webmd.com: “Infertility and In Vitro Fertilization” https://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/in-vitro-fertilization#1