IVF provides a way for childless couples to become parents. The process empowers infertile couples to experience the joy of parenthood. During the process of IVF, eggs are fertilized with sperm outside the body, then embryos are surgically implanted into the woman’s uterus.
IVF is a crucial solution for those couples who face infertility for reasons such as:
- Low Sperm Count
- Unexplained Fertility Issues
- Blocked Fallopian Tubes, etc.
IVF helps such couples get rid of these problems and fulfil their dream of becoming parents. In fact, it is also helpful for older couples.
Here are the common terms associated with IVF:
Ovulation Stimulation: Ovulation stimulation along with the administration of certain hormonal medications is directed to produce multiple eggs by stimulating the ovaries.
Egg Retrieval: It’s a minor surgery to collect mature eggs from the ovaries.
Sperm Collection: Sperm collection is where sperm is collected, processed, and prepared for fertilisation.
Fertilisation: Fertilisation is when sperm and eggs are combined in a laboratory by experts.
Embryo and Culture: Fertilisation is monitored for some days, and at the end, the Embryo is transfered into the woman’s uterus.
Some of the myths about IVF, which are proven wrong and have no scientific reason include:
- People thought IVF guaranteed pregnancy, but its success rate varies based on various factors, including health, age, et cetera. There is no scientific evidence supporting 100% success in the IVF process.
- Another prevalent myth is that IVF causes cancer. However, no scientific link has been established between cancer and IVF.
- Some people think that IVF babies are abnormal. But IVF poses no such risks. Studies show that IVF babies have no more developmental issues than naturally-born children.
5 Main Factors Influencing IVF Costs
Every case is unique, which is why the cost of IVF may vary from person to person. Here is a list of the 5 major factors that can influence the overall cost:
1. Clinic’s Location
It is one of the main factors influencing IVF cost because large cities and big clinics with multiple facilities and wards in hospitals cost more because of the demand, and experience in IVF services, in that particular area.
In smaller areas, patients may get affordable options from experienced IVF specialists. However, potential savings should be balanced between traveller concerns and high-quality treatment availability.
2. Reputation
An IVF clinic’s reputation directly influences the price. A history of successful IVF procedures with a good reputation and higher experience may cost a patient a higher amount of money. Moreover, clinics with a good reputation provide a higher likelihood of success, which is why these clinics are more expensive and more reliable at the same time.
3. Treatment Complexity
More complex cases need more equipment, advanced techniques like PGS and ICSI, medications, and experienced doctors. It can be more expensive, and all of these factors automatically increase the cost of IVF treatment in India.
Cases with less complexity cost less. Therefore, it is necessary to consult with the doctors about the problems, take the necessary IVF treatments that a patient needs, and discuss the treatment plans and expenses before the IVF procedure starts. This will be helpful for the patient and their family.
4. Medication Cost
Medications that promote or inhibit the release of certain hormones for ovarian stimulation to support the implantation process that is used in IVF protocols can vary in cost. Also, the cost of these medications depends on the needs of a particular patient after consulting with IVF experts.
Compared to other countries, the medication cost in India is quite affordable. Because of the affordable pricing of medicines, IVF treatment in India has become famous all over the world.
5. Additional Services
Supplementary services like embryo freezing, use of donor eggs or sperm, and genetic testing have their own associated costs as these services increase the chance of a successful pregnancy. Before the treatment, the patient should discuss with the IVF specialist or healthcare provider the costs and overall expenses involved in their fertility treatment journey.
Statistical Insights: IVF Cost Trends in India
In India, the cost of IVF depends on the reputation of the hospital and location. People can choose various affordable options after consulting with IVF specialists. In fact, India has the most affordable IVF treatment options as compared to other countries. Other countries cost double or triple what India costs for IVF treatment.
Do you know that India and Nepal are both well-known all over the world for having the most reasonable prices for IVF services? Affordable health care and qualified workforce infrastructure help these two countries reduce the cost of IVF treatment.
Medical tourism is one of the top priorities in India and Nepal, which attracts people all over the world who are looking for not only affordable but also high-quality treatment.
Moral behaviour, patient-centric care, guaranteeing moral behaviour, and lovely assistance with couples who are dealing with infertility problems attract people from all over the world. All of these factors are India and Nepal’s primary reasons for couples getting attracted towards seeking reproductive help from these countries.
In the USA, IVF costs are approximately $15,000 to $30,000 for each cycle of IVF treatment. These numbers are much higher than IVF treatment charges in India because it is much cheaper with good quality treatment, and this is the reason foreign patients are looking for Indian IVF facilities for reasonably priced in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
Here is a breakdown of the various components contributing to the total cost:
- Consultation Cost: It depends on a clinic’s reputation and how much fees they charge for discussing concerns with the patients.
- Medical Cost: The physician might prescribe you certain medications for egg maturation, luteal support, etc. The cost of these medications along with the required tests decides the overall cost.
- Tests And Ultrasound Scan: An ultrasound scan is to know about the fertility status of both partners and it is evaluated by the IVF experts according to the results. Other tests include blood tests, semen analyses, and many more.
Check out the table below to find out about the cost variations of IVF treatment across different cities of India:
Conclusion
To summarise, even though getting an IVF treatment in India is more affordable than in any other country of the world, the overall cost depends on a lot of factors including the location of the clinic and the expertise of the physicians who will treat you.
At the same time, whether your IVF surgery is going to be successful or not depends on individual factors that can include how much you can take care of yourself and follow the instructions exactly as given by a doctor.
Overall, although IVF might appear to be a complicated procedure, if done carefully and with the right expertise, it can produce wonderful results and prove to be a boon for childless couples.