Passionate experts in the field of IVF and third party reproduction make your journey smoother and can prepare for success for alternative family building options. The road can be stressful and can bring up a lot of questions or challenging decision making. Couples who prepare ahead of time are better able to make informed decisions.

Step 1: Build your IVF support team

Employ a group of multidisciplinary specialists, rather than relying on your doctor alone. Your team should include:

  • Your IVF doctor – subject matter expert
  • Therapist – provides emotional support
  • Lawyer – rely on for gestational surrogacy agreement
  • Financial planner – discuss where the funds will come from

Step 2: Establish your financial game plan

IVF isn’t cheap, and working with a financial planner is critical for helping you to determine where the money is coming from for your treatments. Set aside enough money in savings to cover at least two full cycles.

Step 3: Define your family goals

How large do you want your family to be? The number of kids that you hope to have will instruct your assisted reproductive technology process as well as your finances and insurance benefit utilization.

Step 4: Know what indicators will be signs to change course

It’s good to establish the “if, then” scenarios that will signify a change in your fertility approach before you begin treatment. It can be difficult to make clear-minded decisions while dealing with the stress of treatment, so having decisions made ahead of time will give you a clearer course as you proceed. You need to realistically measure your desires with the realities of your diagnoses and financial situations before you’re in the thick of things. If IVF isn’t working for you – what is the next step in your plan towards parenthood? Have you considered surrogacy?

Step 5: Analyze your likelihood for success with IVF

Consult with an unbiased professional to determine the likelihood of success for any treatment, given your particular situation. Going with a professional opinion, rather than your emotions, will give you a realistic expectation of how to proceed.

Step 6: Keep partner communications open

Address problems and concerns immediately with your partner. If you have difficulty, work through your challenges with a therapist. Plan on multiple cycles from the outset and have options for donors or surrogates open to you. IVF is stressful – you and your partner need to be united and ready to take on this challenge together.

Step 7: Make informed decisions

Knowing the particulars of your infertility case and the professional opinions of those involved in your journey will help you to make informed decisions when the time comes. Educate yourself on all your options – when it comes to IVF, knowledge is power

Ready yourself for the Next Steps in your IVF Journey

Sometimes assisted reproductive technology is demanding and even a little scary – but it is also exciting and empowering. Don’t hesitate to ask questions when you’re confused or worried. Your rewards will be far worth the effort! A resource like Surrogacy Roadmap (www.surrogacyroadmap.com) will help guide you through these steps.