A failed IVF attempt can be devastating. It’s important that before anything else, you take care of yourself and give yourself time to grieve. You should know that it’s not your fault and that it is more common than you would think. To help you during this time, we have some advice on what to do after a failed IVF attempt.
Speak to Your Specialist
A follow-up consultation is included as part of your IVF cycle and it will help to answer your questions about why your cycle went the way it did and what your future options are. You can discuss how long you should rest before trying any further treatment and, if you have frozen embryos, how a frozen embryo transfer cycle is different from an IVF cycle. You may have questions or thoughts about what you can do to improve your chances in a further treatment and you may wish to discuss these with the doctor. Likewise, the doctor may suggest different steps if your body reacted in an unusual way.
Rest
It’s natural to get your hopes up when trying for a baby and it can be heart-breaking when things don’t go as planned. For some people it is recommended that you wait a few months before deciding on whether to try again. It will give your body the rest that it needs to recover and make sure that you are in the right place mentally.
Emotional Support
As a part of the IVF process, you may have started seeing a counsellor to help you and your partner deal with the emotional journey that it comes with. This is something that you may wish to continue. Speaking to those with similar experiences can also offer comfort and help you to come to terms with your loss. You can find these communities on forums and through dedicated support groups.
Take Time to Think About What You Want to Do
Aside from the mental toll that a failed IVF attempt has, there’s the financial one to consider. IVF is an expensive procedure which is why it’s important for you to consider your personal circumstances and decide accordingly. If you do decide to move forward with your IVF, our expert team can use any remaining frozen embryos you have, so that you don’t have to start again from the beginning. You will not need to take any follicular stimulating hormones again or undergo the egg retrieval process. You can learn more about this on our Frozen Embryo Transfer page.
If you would like to discuss your situation and learn about our treatments, feel free to get in touch.
