There is no one reason a couple or individual stops trying to conceive through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). It is a deeply personal decision. Many people who choose to undergo IVF quit after three cycles, though some research shows that your chances increase when you persist. Still others will find they conceive naturally in the five years following a failed IVF cycle. Here are some reasons that stopping IVF is might be right for you:

The financial cost of IVF

The cost of reproductive technologies like IVF varies widely depending on the provider and where you are in the world. If you are being cared for by the UK’s National Health Service and are having fertility trouble, you will be offier artificial insemination (IUI) first and may be offered IVF afterwards, depending on your age and circumstances. Multiple cycles will likely have to be self-funded. In London at time of writing, this can cost up to £8,000 per cycle including consultations and medications.

The emotional cost of IVF

Multiple IVF cycles, which typically follow a sustained period of trying to get pregnant naturally, and potentially other alternative assisted reproductive methods to IVF, can really start to impact your mental and emotional health. Fertility counsellors and other support should be available to you if this is your issue but wanting to quit because of it is completely understandable regardless.

Social pressure

Friends and family watching you go through the process may encourage you to explore other options that will allow you to become parents or just be happy as you are. Their support is invaluable and, while the decision to stop trying via IVF should be yours alone, they no doubt have your best interests at heart.

You want to try to get pregnant naturally again

Research shows that your chances of conceiving naturally increase after just one unsuccessful cycle of IVF. After the stress, expense and upset of an unsuccessful round, you may simply like to take a break and try by yourself again.

You want to try adoption or surrogacy

Adoption and surrogacy are two alternatives you may consider instead of persisting with attempts to conceive by yourself. They involve lots of administration and are extremely expensive, but there are lifelong benefits to having a child join your family or engaging with someone who is willing to go through pregnancy in order to give a couple the child they so badly want.

You’ve decided not to to continue trying

Sometimes the struggle to conceive changes your feelings about whether having a child is right for you. This can be permanent or something you’ll come back to in a few years.

You’ve gotten pregnant spontaneously!

In an ideal situation, this will be the reason you give up on IVF and we sincerely hope it’s yours. For more information and support about getting pregnant, check out Unii’s Pregnancy Journey video course with Dr. Shree Datta.

How many times should I try IVF before giving up?

Unii looks at when to call it quits with in vitro fertilisation.