In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) was a rare and risky during the 1980s and early 1990s, but today it is a well-regulated procedure that is commonly done around the world. Since its introduction in 1981 in the United States, IVF and its related procedures have given thousands of couples and single parents a chance at parenthoodEven though IVF is a common and much safer procedure today, many prospective parents are unable to bear the cost. The restrictive cost of IVF in the United States has given rise to a booming fertility tourism industry in several countries. Have a look at the four different countries around the world, starting with the U.S. to know how much does ivf cost?
The U.S. is known for its high-quality medical services as well as the high costs for these services. On average, the cost of a basic IVF cycle can range from $12,000 to $15,000. Some clinics offer IVF for as low as $10,000, but the cost seldom goes below that.
These prices include the cost of fertility drugs, patient monitoring and ultrasound costs, blood work, and more. Clinics that offer less than $10,000 tend to exclude the prices of these services and medications. The cost of an IVF cycle can go beyond $15,000 if you add other In Vitro Fertilization procedures like Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI). This procedure itself can add up to $1,500 to your total IVF cycle cost. It involves the injection of a single sperm cell directly into the egg for fertilization.
Similarly, Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) adds another $3,000 to the total cost of the procedure. PGD involves the genetic testing of embryos for any conditions before they are implanted into the uterus. Freezing the embryos that were not used for one cycle can cost a few hundred dollars or more, depending on how long you plan to keep them.
The cost for an IVF cycle can go even higher if the sperm and/or egg being used are not from the intended parents. With an egg donor, you may have to spend up to $30,000 for just one cycle. A sperm donor, while less expensive, still adds as much as $3,000 to the procedure cost.
Embryo donation and Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) can save you a few hundred or thousand dollars, but couples undergo at least two to three cycles before they have a successful pregnancy. This means that you might have to spend as much as $35,000 to $50,000 or more for In Vitro Fertilization to get successful results.
Ukraine is a popular destination for IVF, thanks to its high quality clinics and an average IVF success rate of 65 percent, which is better than many Western countries, including the United Kingdom. IVF procedures done abroad do not require you to stay at the location for the entire cycle. However, you do need to spend around 5-7 days in the country for it. This means you have to account for flight costs to and from Ukraine and accommodation charges. The cost of the procedure and medical checks vary from clinic to clinic, but here is a breakdown of the costs you can expect:
First IVF Cycle- $1,700 to $2,000
IVF with ICSI- $2,700 to $3,000
ICSI (up to 10 oocytes)- $1,000
ICSI (more than 10 oocytes)- $1,200
IMSI- $500
Egg donor- $4,000
India has a booming fertility tourism industry, generating over half a billion dollars every year in revenue. However, the industry is highly disorganized, which means that the cost of IVF in Indian clinics can range widely. Some clinics offer In Vitro Fertilization for as low as $2,000 to $2,500, but it is rare to find clinics that offer below this range. In general, the cost of IVF in the country is approx. $4,000, but make sure you compare prices with more than a few clinics in India before you make a choice.
Of course, additional procedures like ICSI bring up the cost of an IVF cycle. ICSI can cost anywhere between $700 and $1,000. This means that an IVF cycle with extra procedures can cost up to $5,000. This is almost the same as the cost of an IVF cycle in Ukraine, if not lower.
Low-cost IVF cycles in Thailand can cost anywhere from $4,500 to $5,500, which is higher than the average cost in India. This is mainly because of high quality fertility clinics and Western medical treatment standards. The price can go higher depending on your medical history and the additional procedures. At most, you may have to pay up to $6,000, but even then, it is significantly lower than the $12,000-$20,000 you have to pay in the United States.
An In Vitro Fertilization cycle can be a very stressful and worrying time for the parents, especially the expectant mother. You have to be as patient and calm as possible before and during the treatment. To ensure this, choose your IVF clinic careful after assessing its costs, medical safety, and legal issues. Now you know how much does ivf cost? so to your doctor and lawyer, if required, before making your final decision.