Countless Californians have infertility issues and need help conceiving. Fertility assistance is a good option for couples and individuals. However, it’s important to understand the financial aspects of it.
What is fertility treatment?
Fertility treatment is a type of treatment provided to couples or individuals who struggle with infertility and cannot get pregnant without help. There are different options available for starting a family. Among the most common are in-vitro fertilization(IVF), intrauterine insemination (IUI) and surrogacy. All of these fertility assistance methods are expensive and may not initially be successful, which is why many people go through several rounds to start their families.
How much do fertility treatments cost?
Certain types of fertility treatments cost more than others. However, the costs of those that are cheaper can even add up over time if you need several cycles before success occurs in the form of conception. For example, intrauterine insemination, which involves sperm being inserted into a woman’s uterus can cost hundreds of dollars to more than $1,000 each cycle. There are additional steps that can rack up the expenses as well. This includes fertility medications, bloodwork, ultrasounds and more. Certain fertility clinics also might charge more money than others.
In-vitro fertilization is one of the most expensive fertility treatments available. A single cycle could cost around $20,000, but different factors could result in even higher costs. For instance, most people have to go through two or more cycles before a pregnancy occurs. There are hefty expenses for fertility medications, egg retrieval and other procedures.
Surrogacy is a common fertility treatment that involves a woman known as a gestational carrier agreeing to carry a couple’s or person’s baby to term for them. Unless a family member serves as the carrier, surrogacy can cost around $150,000. The couple is responsible for paying all pregnancy and birth-related fees to the surrogate. Costs are even higher if the surrogate has a lot of experience helping people have children.
Fertility issues affect millions of people. Sometimes, both members of a couple share those issues. Fertility assistance is often pricey, but many people find it worth the costs for having their loving families.