Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 04 Apr 2023
In vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment is the most advanced technique that helps infertile couples to achieve successful pregnancy.
Chennai, being the hub of numerous hospitals, is well-known for its world-class healthcare facilities and expertise. Without compromising its reputation, our expertise made a benchmark in treating even the most complicated infertility couples. Even though the IVF treatment has been a ray of hope for many couples, people hesitate to opt for the option because of its excessive pricing.
This blog can help you understand why the treatment is on the pricing edge, actual ivf treatment cost, how you can manage the pricing more affordably, and tips to achieve a successful pregnancy on the first go.
Before getting into the cost of IVF treatment, let’s understand why many couples opt for IVF treatment. Some of the reasons may include:
IVF is chosen by many couples when they are unable to achieve pregnancy naturally or through other procedures like IUI. The treatment is also suitable for couples who are unable to identify the real cause of their infertility.
Male infertility may include abnormal sperm function, blockages preventing sperm delivery, or low sperm production. All these issues can be addressed and escalated in IVF treatments. The escalation may happen through sperm donors or procedures like intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) during the treatment.
IVF treatment can be the most suitable option for women who experience fertility issues because of tubal obstruction. This is possible as the procedure escalates the fallopian tubes for conception.
The treatment specifically involves the preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). The testing or screening is performed to determine the potential chromosomal or genetic abnormalities in the embryo before transferring them into the woman’s uterus. The testing significantly reduces the risk of birth defects and recurring miscarriages.
It is a well-known fact that couples who are aged 35 and above may struggle to get pregnant because of the sperm and egg quality. This reduces the possibility of achieving a successful and healthy pregnancy. The IVF treatment can be a ray of hope for such couples.
Through IVF treatment, same-sex partners or even single partners may have their own biological babies with the help of donor sperm or eggs.
| Elements of an IVF Packages | Other Hospitals | A4 Hospitals |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ultrasound Scans | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ovum Pickup | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fresh Embryo Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Doctor, Embryologist Charges | ✓ | ✓ |
| RI Witness | ✓ | ✓ |
| Semen Freezing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Sperm Preparation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Room charges | ✓ | ✓ |
| ICSI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blastocyst Culture | ✓ | ✓ |
| Total Packages | Rs. 90,000 - Rs. 1,41,000 | Rs. 90,000 - Rs. 1,40,000 |
| Elements of an IVF Packages | Other Hospitals | A4 Hospitals |
|---|---|---|
| Stimulation Injections | Rs. 80,000 - Rs. 1,00,000 | Rs. 80,000 - Rs. 1,00,000* |
| Embryo Freezing For (1 year) | Rs. 25,000 - Rs. 40,000 | Rs. 20,000 - Rs. 25,000 |
| Total Packages | Rs. 80,000 - Rs. 1,40,000 | Rs. 80,000 - Rs. 1,25,000 |
| Elements of an IVF Packages | Other Hospitals | A4 Hospitals |
|---|---|---|
| Semen analysis (for male) | Rs. 500 - Rs. 700 | Rs. 650 |
| Semen Freezing For (1 year) | Rs. 5000 - Rs. 10,000 | Rs. 2750 for 6 Months |
| Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA) | Rs. 30,000 - Rs. 40,000 | Rs. 30,000 |
| Hysteroscopy (for female) | Rs. 30,000 - Rs. 40,000 | Rs. 27000* |
It is essential to understand that IVF treatment is completely based on medications and procedures. The process involves numerous healthcare experts from different specialities, modern technologies and equipment. It also involves various diagnostic measures to prevent disorders in unborn babies and complications during pregnancy.
The following are the approximate factors that couples may go through during the treatment, which may help them in roughly estimating the cost of the IVF.
Due to the procedures, screenings, and medications involved in the treatment, the approximate cost may vary anywhere between ₹1,50,000 and ₹2,50,000. However, there may be additional costs included, which are typically dependent on the patient’s specific health requirements such as donors for sperm or egg.
There are numerous factors that influence the cost of IVF treatment other than procedures and medications. They are:
There are several types of treatment involved in an IVF procedure. They are intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), conventional IVF, minimal stimulation IVF, frozen embryo transfer (FET), and natural cycle IVF. The most appropriate procedure is chosen by your fertility specialist based on your age and issue. Each type has its own cost as the dosage of the medicines and procedures involved may also widely vary.
A woman’s age and health have a significant impact on the cost of IVF treatment. This is possible because woman who are aged 35 and above usually responds less to IVF medications. This necessitates fertility experts to enhance the dosage of the medications and sometimes, even multiple cycles are required to achieve the pregnancy.
Some couples may require donor eggs or sperm to achieve conception. In such cases, the cost of the IVF treatment would be higher due to donor charges, legal procedures, and medical screenings.
It is essential to understand that some couples achieve their pregnancy in the first cycle. Whereas others may need to try again. There are numerous scenarios where the couples failed in their first cycle and successfully achieve conception in their second or third cycles. Multiple IVF cycles have a significant influence on the cost as they involve separate expenses for medications, screenings and procedures.
Fertility clinics with a strong expertise and reputation may certainly cost more for their services. Even though a facility like A4 Fertility Centre has both strong expertise and reputation, they charge less for IVF treatment than others. Many couples have testified to achieving successful and healthy pregnancies with the help of skilled fertility experts at the facility.
When it comes to IVF treatment, couples may have to undergo numerous diagnostic tests to determine the cause of infertility. The tests may include ovarian reserve tests, semen analyses, ultrasound scans, blood tests, screening for genetic disorders and infectious diseases and so on. These tests and screenings come at an extra cost.
Embryo freezing or cryopreservation is one of the procedures involved in the IVF treatment. The procedure is comprised of freezing and storing the fertilized eggs for future purposes. Couples opt for the option when they plan to postpone their pregnancy. Some couples may also use these frozen embryos for another cycle without repeating the whole IVF procedure. And of course, the cost is included for freezing and storing the embryos.
IVF success rates are widely dependent on the age of the female partner and her ovarian reserve. Generally, young females tend to respond better to medicines and provide higher success rates in IVF treatment. However, this is not the case with females who are aged above 35. As they age, both the quality and quantity of their eggs may decline. This will potentially influence their fertility success rates.
According to the recent research, below is the statistics for IVF success rates based on the woman’s age.
Understanding such statistics and factors can help couples make more informed decisions when planning for IVF treatment.
Other factors that may affect the success rates of IVF may include:
To ease off your financial burden and make the IVF treatment affordable, you can consider following some of the factors.
Before getting into the treatment, analysing and comparing the pricing of IVF at different facilities is significant. You can also compare the pricing at different locations. However, note that pricing alone is not crucial. Their success rates also play a key role in choosing the facility.
Some IVF centres provide fertility packages that include multiple cycles. This can potentially be a cost-effective option. However, make sure they provide complete transparent pricing details before committing.
Many IVF centres in Chennai provide instalment options to make treatment costs more manageable for their patients. This lessens the financial burden of such advanced fertility treatments.
In recent times, there have been growing options to fund your IVF treatment expenses such as gmoney, bajaj finance and so on. You can ensure that the facility avails of such options before committing.
When it comes to fertility treatment, you can discuss with the physician about your financial situation. You can also discuss your concerns to know if there are any options to simplify your treatment to be more cost-effective. Apart from conventional IVF, natural IVF, mini-IVF, and other types are more economical.
Although IVF treatment costs may not be fully covered by many insurances, some policies provide partial coverage. The partial coverage may include diagnostic tests, consultation fees, and certain medications. However, this may vary from plans and insurers. So, it’s significant to check with your insurer of the possible coverage options before starting the treatment.
Fertility centres are widely located not only in the metropolitan areas but also in the smaller cities. You can analyse and compare the pricing in smaller cities and not hesitate to travel for the treatment. Many established facilities such as A4 Fertility Centres have their own branches in smaller cities. This ensures no compromise on the quality and services provided.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and consuming nutritious food has a significant impact on enhancing the chances of pregnancy in the first cycle. This will potentially reduce the need for multiple cycles.
Some clinics facilitate couples in reducing IVF treatment costs if they share or donate eggs or embryos with other couples. You can check if your chosen clinic avails of such options.
Having a healthy lifestyle and consuming nutritious food has a significant impact on enhancing the chances of pregnancy in the first cycle. According to recent studies, researchers found that women who have followed a healthy lifestyle have achieved a successful conception by 70% higher on the first go than women who don’t follow a healthy lifestyle. To follow a healthy lifestyle, you may need to:
Being attentive to your fertility specialist, discussing your concerns, and strictly adhering to the instructions have all been associated with providing a successful outcome on the first go.
The total cost of IVF can vary depending on individual circumstances, treatment plans, and any additional services required. Typically, the range for IVF costs in Chennai is from INR 90,000 to INR 1,40,000 or more per cycle. However, this range may vary based on factors specific to A4 Fertility Centre and the services they offer. A4 Fertility Centre can provide you with detailed information about our services, treatment options, and associated costs, ensuring you receive accurate and personalized guidance for your fertility journey. You can reach out to A4 Fertility Centre through our official website or by contacting them directly via phone or email.
The minimum cost of IVF at A4 Fertility Centre can vary depending on individual factors such as the specific treatment plan, any additional procedures or tests required, and the patient's medical history. To obtain accurate pricing information tailored to your needs, it's recommended to contact A4 Fertility Centre directly through our official website or by reaching out to them via phone or email. We will be able to provide you with detailed information regarding our services and associated costs.
The cost of getting pregnant through IVF can vary based on several factors, including the specific clinic, the treatment plan tailored to your needs, any additional procedures required, and medications. To get accurate pricing information for IVF treatment, it's best to directly consult with a fertility clinic such as A4 Fertility Centre. We can provide personalized details about our services, treatment options, and associated costs. You can contact A4 Fertility Centre through our official website or by reaching out to them via phone or email for precise pricing information tailored to your situation.
For specific pricing details regarding IVF at A4 Hospitals and Fertility Centre, it's best to directly contact the clinic. IVF costs can vary widely based on individual factors such as treatment protocols, additional procedures, medications, and patient-specific requirements. However, the typical range for IVF in Chennai is from INR 90,000 to INR 1,40,000 or more per cycle. A4 Hospitals and Fertility Centre can offer personalized information about our services and associated costs. Contact them via our official website or by reaching out directly via phone or email for accurate pricing information tailored to your needs.
The duration of stimulation of eggs is usually 10 days, 12th day the egg collection happens. If the embryo transfer happens in the same cycle, then it happens 3 to 5 days post egg collection. After Embryo transfer 14 days later pregnancy blood test is done. So if fresh Embryo Transfer ( ET ) happens, the duration is 4 weeks. If the patient is not ready or fit for a fresh embryo transfer (ET), then Frozen Embryo Transfer happens after 30 to 45 days. In Frozen embryo transfer, there is no injections and only oral medications are given. Pregnancy tests is done as usual 14 days after FET.
