Clinic Factors

The clinic's Live Birth Rate Per Transfer for women in your age group can be one of the most important factors in determining actual total cost for IVF. The Live Birth Rate indicates your chances of taking a baby home.

Two IVF cycles will always be more expensive than one cycle. If your clinic does not have at least a 51% live birth rate then odds are that you will need more than one cycle of IVF before you bring home a baby.

All clinics are required by law to submit their success rate data the CDC. You can look up that information by clicking here. The verification process required by the CDC means that this success rate data is at least 3-4 years old. If a clinic does not report its results we would recommend you not consider using that clinic.

If you would like to see a list of clinics in your area sorted by live birth rate, please see Fertility Success Rates for IVF Website.

Patient Factors

Patient age affects cost of IVF treatment because typically older patients receive higher doses of stimulation medications for longer periods of time.

The type of IVF cycle greatly affects the cost of IVF. Using donor eggs typically requires agency fees, donor fees, and other lab and screening fees which add significant cost to the IVF cycle. Cycles utilizing a surrogate to carry the baby include the cost of recruiting and screening the surrogate as well as legal fees and the surrogate’s fee for her services.

Medications

Medications for IVF treatment are used for suppression, stimulation, and supplementation. Typically older patients receive greater doses over longer periods of time which increases the cost.

Some medications that are part of a course of IVF treatment include: Lupron, Antagon, and Cetrotide for supression; Gonal-F, Follistim, Menopur, and Bravelle for stimulation; Endometrin and Crinone for progesterone supplementation; Vivelle and Estrace for estrogen supplementation.

Pre-cycle Costs

Sonohysterogram - An in-office ultrasound procedure in which saline in instilled into the uterus to detect possible abnormalities inside the lining which may adversely affect pregnancy.

Trial Transfer - This procedure typically consists of an ultrasound and placement of a tiny catheter inside the uterus to determine the direction and length of the uterine cavity prior to the IVF cycle. This procedure ensures that the least traumatic transfer can be accomplished during the actual IVF treatment cycle.

Semen Analysis - This laboratory analysis measures volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility, and morphology to determine if more advanced techniques such as ICSI should be used for successful fertilization.

Semen Culture - This laboratory analysis seeks to identify any bacteria existing in the semen which may adversely affect successful IVF treatment.

FSH Levels - This test measures the baseline Follicle Stimulating Hormone present in a woman's body. The test is done by blood draw, typically on the second or third day of the menstrual cycle. It provides an indirect indicator of egg quality.

Initial Visit - The initial visit or consultation at an IVF clinic typically includes meeting with a physician to review your case history, perform a physical examination and possibly an ultrasound. You first visit may include a consultation with a financial coordinator to review treatment costs, financing options, and insurance coverage.

E2 Level - This blood test measures the estradiol level in a woman's body. The estradiol level helps validate the accuracy of the timing of the FSH to assure it is being done at the proper time.

TSH and Free T4 - This blood test checks thyroid function.

Prolactin - This blood test checks the level of prolactin, the hormone that helps the body produce breast milk at the proper time. High levels of prolactin can interfere with conceiving no matter what the method of treatment.

Pre-pregnancy Screening - Infectious disease screening.

Surrogate Fees

Surrogate Fee - This consists of reimbursement to the surrogate for her monthly living expenses during pregnancy, required meetings, lost wages, housekeeping assistance, childcare when on bed rest and the risk to her health.

Monthly expenses - The surrogate usually receives reimbursement for expenses related to the process such as mileage, telephone and childcare. It starts with the transfer and increases when a pregnancy is confirmed.

Insurance - Premiums cover prenatal care and delivery.

Life Insurance - The surrogate receives one year of term life insurance to cover the pregnancy and postpartum period.

Reserve Funds - These are to pay for medical costs denied by the insurance company and any tax liability incurred by the surrogate. Unused funds will be returned.

Screening - Good practice dictates that all surrogates and their spouses receive screening to make sure they do not transmit infectious diseases to the baby. Drug screening is to make sure they are not engaging in any substances that could affect the pregnancy.

Psychological Counseling - Both the surrogate and intended parents engage in counseling to make sure they understand the issues involved in the surrogacy process and to evaluate the history and motivation of the donor. In addition any issues that may arise can be dealt with.

Legal fees - One of the most important aspects of surrogacy is an iron clad contract to make sure that the surrogate performs all that is expected of her and agrees to the adoption of the baby to the intended parents. There are variations of this depending on state law.

Accommodations - This covers a hotel stay for the bed rest following transfer.

Cycle Costs

Base Cycle Cost - The base fee paid to the medical center performing the IVF treatment.

Anesthesia - The fee paid to the surgery center or anesthetist for anesthesia during egg retrieval.

Male Factor Costs

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) is a fertilization technique whereby sperm is injected directly into the egg's cytoplasm.

The procedure is recommended for men experiencing low semen parameters or when sperm needs to be retrieved surgically. It is also used for donor and/or frozen sperm.

PGD Costs

PGD is preimplantation genetic diagnosis/screening for chromosome abnormalities, sex selection or when the couple are carriers of known single gene defects.