Whether it’s your first fertility treatment cycle or you’ve been at it for a year, it’s heartbreaking when a procedure doesn’t work. With October being National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we wanted to take the time to remind you that an unsuccessful cycle does not need to end your pregnancy journey. At the Arizona Center for Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, we’re here for you every step of the way, even when the road gets difficult.
You’ve invested your time, money, emotional energy, and hope into the treatment—when the result is a failed cycle it does not mean you should give up. If you’re in the midst of dealing with infertility, here are five things we want you to remember if a treatment isn’t successful.
Getting Pregnant on Your First Try Isn’t Likely
The odds of pregnancy are stacked against even the most “normal” or healthiest of couples. The natural rate of fertility is just one in five. There’s only about a 20-25 percent probability of achieving a pregnancy for couples who are not facing any fertility issues. While procedures can potentially triple or quadruple your chances of getting pregnant, a treatment will not be 100 percent successful every time we perform it. However, the more we continue to try, the higher the likelihood that you will become pregnant.
What Works for One Couple Might Not Work for Another
Maybe you had a friend who began taking hormone injections and got pregnant within two months without any procedures. That’s great! However, that doesn’t mean that’s what your fertility path will look like.
There are many underlying causes of infertility, and treatments will vary for a variety of reasons. For instance, not every couple will start with hormone medication; some might be better suited for in vitro fertilization as the initial treatment. Trying something just because it worked for someone you know might end up wasting time (and money). At AZCREI, we first test for the possible causes of infertility, so we know the most efficient treatments to begin with that are best for your individual situation.
There’s Always a Plan B—or Plan C or Plan D
With this method for testing and treating infertility, we always try to start with the least invasive options. We tailor treatments to each individual’s needs, but we tend to begin with the simplest procedures to increase fertility and then go from there. There are times when we’re successful in achieving a pregnancy after a single treatment, but when that isn’t the case, we simply move on to the next level of testing and procedures. When we first meet with a patient, we map out a plan that involves several avenues of treatment. Of course, we start with Plan A, but there’s always a Plan B, C, D, and so on, until you do achieve a pregnancy. Since there are multiple options, eventually, almost every couple we work with can get pregnant.
Our Office is Here to Support You
Even though we discuss treatment plans at the beginning, and do our best to educate you on the probability of achieving a pregnancy at each stage, we know a failed treatment can still feel like a devastating blow. We want you to be able to trust our team and trust the process that gets you there. We’ve seen the defeat couples feel when things don’t go their way, but we’ve also seen the sheer joy they experience when they finally conceive and deliver a healthy, happy baby. If you’re ever feeling frustrated or hopeless in your journey, we are here to support you, answer your questions, and help you find hope.
You’re Not Alone
In our more than 20 years of experience, we’ve seen many couples and women overcome the obstacles and have a beautiful baby. They’ve gone through many of the same ups and downs that you might be experiencing. When we talk to them after the fact, they always share that a solid support system helped them get through the really difficult times. Whether it’s your partner, family, friends, or a therapy group, you don’t have to go through this journey alone. We can also help you find the resources—like an infertility counselor or support group—to help you when you need it.
No matter where you are in your pregnancy journey or what obstacles seem to be in your way, we want you to have hope, even when a procedure doesn’t work. To find out more about our treatment process or to schedule a visit, contact us online or by calling (520) 326-0001.