Adoption vs. IVF in Texas

Hopeful parents who are facing infertility are often excited about growing their family, but making a decision about what path to take to get there can be difficult.

In this article we will explore the basics of both IVF and adoption, as well as the reasons why families choose adoption vs. IVF in Texas.

If you are considering adoption, you can also get information from our adoption professionals at 1-800-ADOPTION and with our online form.

What is IVF in Texas?

In vitro fertilization (also known as IVF) is one of several fertility treatments that couples can pursue when faced with infertility. Fertilization means that sperm as attached to and entered the egg and an embryo can form. The “in vitro” part of IVF means that fertilization happens outside of the body. Usually the fertilization process in IVF happens in a controlled lab environment.

Other fertility treatments include:

• Fertility drugs
• IUI
• Sperm or egg donation
• ICSI

IVF Process in Texas

IVF has several steps, and it is one of the most extensive and effective strategies to create a pregnancy when facing infertility. Below are some of the basics of each step. You will notice that other types of fertility treatment may be combined in IVF.

• Step 1: Women are given fertility drugs, which stimulate the ovaries to increase egg production.
• Step 2: When doctors confirm that there are multiple eggs, a minor surgery retrieves the eggs from the woman’s ovaries (in some cases if this is ineffective couples may choose to use a donor egg).
• Step 3: The retrieved eggs are combined with retrieved sperm in a controlled lab environment, in some cases using ICSI, and the egg is fertilized. (In some cases a couple may choose to use donor sperm.)
• Step 4: If fertilized eggs divide, they become embryos, and any embryos are monitored and checked for proper growth.
• Step 5: After 3-5 days of growth, a number of embryos are transferred to the womb through the cervix, and if any implant, the implanted embryo becomes a pregnancy.
• Step 6: Once a woman is pregnant, she will complete the steps of pregnancy and may take additional precautions depending on age and health.
• Step 7: If a woman gives birth, there is an additional family member, and unused embryos and eggs may be frozen and implanted or donated at a later date.

If any step is unsuccessful, a couple may repeat previous steps, delay or cancel the remainder of the procedure, or complete additional steps at a doctor’s direction.

What is Domestic Adoption in Texas?

You are probably familiar with the concept of adoption, but there are several types, including international adoption, foster care adoption, and domestic adoption.

Here we will focus on domestic adoption because it is the most comparable to IVF — international and foster care adoptions are more often for older children, while most domestic adoptions are for infants, often planned before birth and occurring soon after birth.

Domestic Adoption Process in Texas

• Step 1: A family does research and decides to pursue adoption
• Step 2: The family continues research and chooses the type of adoption that fits best
• Step 3: The potential adoptive family gets in touch with an adoption agency
• Step 4: The family is screened and creates an adoptive family profile that birth parents can view
• Step 5: Birth parents choose an adoptive family and they get to know each other
• Step 6: The birth mother gives birth and the families complete the legal steps of adoption
• Step 7: The adoptive family begins their journey with their child and stays in contact with their child’s birth parents according to the birth parents’ wishes

IVF vs. Adoption in Texas

IVF in Texas

• Costs $60-70k on average, and it is not usually covered by insurance
• Is effective in roughly 50% of cases
• Expenses cannot be recovered if IVF fails to produce a successful pregnancy
• Has unpredictable wait times, as many couples are never able to carry a successful pregnancy
• Gives you the possibility of having genetically related children
• Can delay grieving fully if a couple is ultimately unable to conceive and carry a successful pregnancy

Adoption in Texas

• Can vary in cost — foster care adoptions are often less than $5000, domestic infant adoption and international adoption costs vary by agency and services offered, but are usually less than IVF
• Has a success rates of greater than 75%, even for adoptions with higher adoption disruption risk factors like older children who are in foster care
• Adoption can cost money up front, but some agencies provide adoption disruption insurance, return unused adoption funds, or only collect full adoption costs if you have an adoption opportunity
• Has more predictable wait times, especially if you choose a larger national agency

Every family is unique, and each will have their own story and reasons for choosing their path to building a family.

If you are interested in learning more about adoption and other options for growing your family, you can click here for more information, or call 1-800-ADOPTION to speak to an adoption professional.

Disclaimer
Information available through these links is the sole property of the companies and organizations listed therein. American Adoptions provides this information as a courtesy and is in no way responsible for its content or accuracy.