Choosing Assisted Reproductive Technology
Tips for Couples Undergoing Advanced Infertility Treatment
Jun 1, 2009
The first baby conceived and born using assisted reproductive technology (ART), Louise Brown, was born in 1978. Since then, more than three million babies have been born using ART, with in vitro fertilization (IVF) as the major advanced infertility treatment option, according to data presented at the annual conference of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology in 2006.
This figure seems high and gives hope to many infertile couples who yearn to have babies using their own eggs and sperm. However, ART has only about 25% to 30% success rate per cycle of treatment. Other downsides include the high cost of the treatment, the many medical procedures and interventions that the couple has to endure and the unpleasant side-effects from drugs to boost ovulation.
That’s why it’s crucial for couples undergoing ART to go through counseling and be really prepared for all the unpleasantness that comes with IVF or other ART treatment. Here are some tips for couples undergoing ART.
Read about IVF and other ART Treatment
Before making the decision to undergo advanced infertility treatment, read as much as possible about IVF and other ART treatment. Find out more from fertility clinics, hospitals, the ART section on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website as well as bodies like the International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the National Women’s Health Information Center.
Tell Trusted Friends or Family about ART Treatment
Couples who have decided to undergo ART treatment should decide early on who they are going to tell about the treatment. It helps to have trusted friends or family members that the couple can confide in and talk to. Emotional support is crucial for the couple’s well-being.
Consider Donating Eggs and Sperm
Many fertility clinics give priority to couples who are prepared to donate their eggs and/or sperm to other infertile couples. So consider donating eggs and sperm to help boost the chances of getting treated faster and help other couples with fertility problems at the same time.
Learn to Give Self-Injections
IVF treatment often involves a course of hormone injections to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. Patients who learn to give self-injections will be able to save a lot of time and effort as they won’t have to do this at their fertility clinics.
Couples Support Each Other About IVF Treatment
Open communication and full support for each other are crucial for couples undergoing IVF treatment. If one partner feels strained emotionally, mentally and physically about the cycle of treatment, he or she should speak up and let the other partner know. IVF treatment is a team effort – from the medical experts at the fertility clinic and both partners.
If counseling is needed, both partners should go together and bring up any issue they are not happy with. Whatever decision made – either to stop treatment or to continue – must be made together.
Couples undergoing IVF or other ART treatment are often physically, emotionally and financially stressed. So it’s best to read up as much as possible on ART before deciding on the treatment. Once the decision is made, tell trusted friends about the treatment, consider donating eggs and sperm to other infertile couples, learn to give self-injections and support each other fully throughout the course of the treatment.
Found this article useful? Read also Common Causes of Female Infertility, Common Causes of Male Infertility and Common Assisted Reproductive Technologies.
References:
Practical Parenting Group. Pregnancy – All your Questions Answered. London: Hamlyn, 2007.
Dr. Stoppard, Miriam. Family Health Guide. London: Dorling Kindersley, 2005
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