In vitro fertilization, or IVF as it is commonly referred, and other assisted reproductive technologies have their advantages and disadvantages of which patients considering these treatments should be aware. The procedure works by collecting sperm and eggs from a couple, or using donor eggs and/or sperm, and then combining the sperm and eggs in a laboratory to create embryos. Select embryos are then transferred to the uterus where they may implant in the uterine wall and develop.

To begin, the advantages offered by IVF can be incredible. Infertile couples who are struggling to get pregnant or who are frustrated by the fact that they are unable to conceive naturally for whatever reason may experience stress, anxiety or depression. IVF offers them a route to achieve their goals, which it has done for couples around the world. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection, genetic counseling and assisted hatching may help to improve the chances of success. Some even choose to freeze embryos for use in future cycles. This procedure also carries a higher success rate than other procedures such as intrauterine insemination (artificial insemination), although the circumstances surrounding each case are often different so patients should consult a fertility specialist to determine which treatment is right for them.

The biggest disadvantage of IVF is that it is not guaranteed. Chances of success vary greatly depending on varying factors including the age of the woman. Women who are over the age of 35 may not have the same chances of success as women who are under the age of 35. The cost of the procedure is another disadvantage of IVF. Just one cycle of this procedure may be greater than $10,000. The ultimate price of the procedure may begin to add up if more than one session is required to achieve pregnancy. Freezing embryos may help to reduce the cost of future cycles, but the price is often still very high.

There is also a risk of multiple pregnancies with IVF. Because success is not guaranteed, more than one embryo is often transferred to the uterus for implantation in the hopes that one of the embryos will successfully implant in the uterine wall and develop. In some cases, more than one embryo may implant and multiple pregnancies may be present. Also, the risk of ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy occurring outside of the uterus) or heterotrophic pregnancy (multiple pregnancy in which one pregnancy occurs in the uterus and another outside of the uterus) may be higher with IVF than if the pregnancy was achieved naturally