The most significant cost difference between in-vivo conception and IVF lies in the medical procedures involved.
In-vivo conception:
- Minimal Medical Intervention: In-vivo conception primarily relies on natural processes, requiring minimal medical intervention.
- Basic Fertility Testing: While some basic fertility tests might be necessary, the overall cost is relatively low compared to IVF.
- No Medical Procedures: There are no complex procedures like egg retrieval, fertilization, or embryo transfer, which are major cost drivers in IVF.
In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF):
- Multiple Medical Procedures: IVF involves a series of complex medical procedures, including:
- Hormone stimulation to induce ovulation
- Egg retrieval
- Sperm retrieval
- Fertilization in a laboratory
- Embryo transfer
- Medication Costs: The medication used to stimulate ovulation can be expensive.
- Laboratory Fees: The laboratory fees for fertilization and embryo culture can be significant.
- Multiple Cycles: In many cases, multiple IVF cycles may be required to achieve a successful pregnancy, further increasing costs.
While IVF offers a higher chance of pregnancy for some couples, it’s a more expensive option due to the complex medical procedures and medications involved. In-vivo conception, while not always guaranteed, is a more cost-effective approach to achieving pregnancy.