When you go to a Fertility Clinic, your initial visit will include a comprehensive history and physical. This helps your provider determine the cause of your infertility. Treatments can include medication, intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).

IVF is a process of injecting synthetic hormones to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. These eggs are then inseminated with sperm from the partner or donated sperm. The most successful IVF treatments are for women who have given birth before and those who have ovulatory problems or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

You should ask your provider to describe her success rates with IVF. You can also look at the statistics posted by the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART). But it is important to remember that these results are based on averages and may not accurately reflect the experiences of your clinic.

Your physician will also discuss the risks of IVF. These can include ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) that causes abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting. OHSS can lead to serious complications like blood clots, kidney failure and stroke. Another risk is multiple births (twins, triplets) or ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants outside of the uterus, typically in the fallopian tube.

If you are pursuing IVF, you will want to find out if your insurance will cover the costs. Many insurance companies cover up to three cycles of IVF, including United Healthcare’s Empire Plan as a Center of Excellence and Aetna, Cigna and Oxford (selected plans). In addition, some fertility clinics offer financing options such as payment plans and multi-cycle packages.