EDUCATION
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IUI vs. IVF - What’s the Difference?
🤍 WHAT IS IUI?
How it works:
Sperm is washed, prepped, and placed directly into the uterus using a thin catheter around the time of ovulation.
Best for:
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Mild male infertility
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Unexplained infertility
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Single parents by choice
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LGBTQ+ families
Quick facts:
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Less invasive
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Less expensive
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Lower success rate per cycle
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Often the first step before IVF
🤍 WHAT IS IVF?
How it works:
Eggs are retrieved from the ovaries, fertilized with sperm in a lab, and the best embryo is transferred into the uterus.
Best for:
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Blocked fallopian tubes
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Severe male factor infertility
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Older age (35+)
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Previously failed IUI cycles
Quick facts:
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More complex and costly
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Higher success rates
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Offers options for genetic testing
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Can involve donor sperm, eggs, or surrogacy
IUI vs. IVF: A Side-by-Side Look
IUI is often tried first. IVF is more aggressive but offers higher chances. Your fertility specialist will help you choose the right path.
Egg Freezing AKA: Your Future Fertility Backup Plan
What it is: Egg freezing (a.k.a. oocyte cryopreservation) is like hitting the “pause” button on your biological clock. It lets you preserve your healthy eggs now to use later—whether you're focusing on your career, haven’t met the right partner yet, or simply want options.
How it works (step-by-step):
Ovarian Stimulation
You’ll take daily hormone shots for ~10-12 days to encourage your ovaries to produce multiple eggs.
Monitoring Appointments
Think lots of ultrasounds and bloodwork to track your egg growth.
Egg Retrieval
A quick outpatient procedure (under light sedation) removes the mature eggs using a thin needle via the vaginal wall.
Freezing Time!
The eggs are flash-frozen using a method called vitrification and stored safely in a fertility clinic until you’re ready to use them.
Average cost:
The average cost to freeze your eggs in the U.S. typically ranges from: $10,000 – $20,000 per cycle
Here’s what that usually includes:
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$4,000–$8,000 for medications (hormone stimulation)
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$6,000–$12,000 for the procedure and monitoring
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$500–$1,200/year for egg storage (ongoing cost)
Most insurance plans do not cover egg freezing unless it’s for medical reasons (e.g., cancer treatment). However, more employers are starting to offer fertility benefits—worth checking!
The Gift of Surrogacy: When Another Woman Carries Your Little Miracle
What it is: Surrogacy is when someone else (the surrogate) carries and delivers a baby for intended parents who can’t carry a pregnancy themselves.
Two types:
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Gestational Surrogacy – The surrogate is not biologically related to the baby. The embryo is created using the intended parent(s)’ or donor gametes and implanted via IVF.
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Traditional Surrogacy – The surrogate’s own egg is used, so she’s genetically linked to the baby (this is much rarer due to legal and emotional complexity).
How it works
Ovarian Stimulation
Intended parents find a surrogate (through an agency or independently).
Legal Contracts
Agreements are signed to protect everyone’s rights and clarify expectations.
Medical Process
The embryo is created and transferred into the surrogate’s uterus via IVF.
Pregnancy & Delivery
The surrogate carries the baby, and when the baby is born, the intended parents take over the diaper duty!
It’s like borrowing a very kind uterus for 9 months. A beautiful and selfless act that helps families grow in a nontraditional (but amazing) way.
The average cost of surrogacy in the U.S. ranges from $100,000 to $200,000, depending on several factors. Here's a breakdown of typical expenses:
Total: $100,000 – $200,000
Some intended parents may lower costs slightly by working with an independent surrogate instead of using an agency, but this increases legal and logistical complexity.
Several Surrogacy Agency Options
Donor Eggs, Sperm, & Embryos: Teamwork Makes The Dream Work
What it is: When one or more pieces of the baby-making puzzle need a little help, donor eggs, sperm, or embryos can help create a path to parenthood.
Donor Eggs: Used when the intended mother can’t use her own eggs (due to age, medical conditions, etc.). A donor’s eggs are fertilized with sperm, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the intended mother or a surrogate.
Donor Sperm: Used in IUI or IVF when there’s male infertility, no male partner, or single parenthood by choice. It’s washed, prepped, and introduced to the egg—either directly (IUI) or in a dish (IVF).
Donor Embryos: Already-created embryos donated by other couples (often those who’ve completed IVF and have embryos left over). These are transferred to the intended parent or surrogate.
How it works
Screening
All donors are thoroughly screened (medical history, infectious disease testing, psychological evaluation).
Matching
You choose a donor (anonymous or known) based on desired traits, values, or personal connection.
Legal Agreements
Contracts ensure everyone understands the process and future rights.
Transfer
The embryo is created or thawed and transferred into the uterus.
Sometimes it takes a little extra help to make a baby—and that’s totally okay. With modern science and generous donors, there’s more than one beautiful way to build a family.