Infertility can be devastating for people who want to have a baby. After being diagnosed with infertility, many people try fertility treatments. Depending on the cause of the infertility, these can include:
- Medicines
- Hormones
- Surgery
- Insemination
- In vitro fertilization (IVF)
Sometimes treatment works and the woman can get pregnant. Other times, even after repeated attempts at treatment, she still can’t get pregnant. This can be a very difficult place to be. But if she still wants to have a baby, there are a few more options.
Fertility Options After Failed Treatments: Donor Eggs, Sperm, Surrogacy, and Embryo Adoption
If you have tried fertility treatments and they haven’t worked, you may feel like you are all out of options. But if you still want to have a baby, there are few more you may want to consider.
Donor sperm
In some cases, testing shows that problems with the man’s sperm cause infertility. He may not produce enough sperm, or he may have a genetic disease. Instead of using his sperm, you can choose donor sperm. The donor may be someone you know or someone from a sperm bank.
You can use donor sperm with insemination by placing the sperm directly into the woman’s uterus or vagina. You can also use it with IVF by fertilizing an egg outside the body and then implanting it in the uterus. If you use donor sperm, the baby will not share genes with the man in the relationship.
Donor eggs
Some women don’t produce healthy eggs that doctors can fertilize. Many factors can cause this, including genetic diseases or conditions such as primary ovarian insufficiency. Even so, these women can still carry a baby. In this situation, they may choose to use eggs donated by another woman. Doctors collect the donor eggs and fertilize them using the same process as IVF. The baby will not share genes with the female partner in the relationship.
Surrogate or gestational carrier
This is when another woman carries the baby for you. When you and your partner use a surrogate, sperm from the male partner is inserted into another woman. A surrogate can be used when the female partner’s eggs aren’t healthy, or when she can’t carry a baby to term. The baby will not share genes with the female partner.
A gestational carrier is a woman who carries a baby that does not share genes with her. An embryo is implanted in her uterus. The embryo may be the result of the couple’s eggs and sperm, or donor eggs or sperm may be used. A gestational carrier is used when the female partner can’t carry a pregnancy to term. The baby may or may not share genes with the partners in the relationship.
Donor embryo
Sometimes couples who have undergone IVF choose to donate any unused embryos. These frozen embryos are stored, and people who want to can adopt them. The frozen embryo is implanted in the female partner’s uterus, just like in IVF. If using a donor embryo, the baby will not share genes with the male or female partner. This is true even though the female will carry the baby.
Adoption
Some couples who have trouble with infertility decide to adopt a child. People who choose to expand their families through adoption can do so several ways:
- Public adoption – The child is adopted through the state. These children are often in foster care.
- Private adoption – You work with a private agency to find a baby or child to adopt. This may be a non-profit or for-profit agency.
- Independent adoption – The adoption does not go through an agency. It is usually done through individuals who can connect a baby with a family. This could include a doctor, lawyer, or religious leader.
Important considerations
When faced with failed fertility treatments, some couples decide to stop all outside attempts to have a baby. The process of using fertility treatments can be draining physically, emotionally, and financially. Sometimes people stop trying for their own well-being. It is a deeply personal decision.
If you use a third party in your attempts to have a baby, it can introduce complicated legal and emotional issues. It is a good idea to see a lawyer. He or she can help you sort out the legal implications of your choice. A lawyer will make sure you and any donor or carrier are protected.
Questions to ask your doctor
- If no fertility treatments have worked, what options do I have?
- Can I use donor sperm or eggs?
- What are the risks of using donor sperm, eggs, or embryos?
- How much does it cost?
- How do I find a person to be a surrogate or gestational carrier?
- What are the legal implications of using assisted reproductive technology?
- Do I need to get a lawyer?
- Where do I start if I want to adopt a baby?
- Do you think it’s healthy for me or my partner to continue to try to have a baby?
Resources
National Institutes of Health (NIH): Infertility
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This article was contributed by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
Copyright © American Academy of Family Physicians
This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Talk to your family doctor to find out if this information applies to you and to get more information on this subject.
