In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technique where sperm and eggs are combined outside the body, and the resulting embryo or embryos are transferred into a uterus (embryo transfer). Performed at a fertility clinic, IVF can help women conceive if they are having trouble doing so, often after completing other, less invasive fertility interventions. It can also be an option for those without fertility issues, including single women, same-sex couples, and those with certain medical conditions such as cancer.  

IVF can be performed using a woman’s own eggs and her partner’s sperm, or with donor eggs or donor sperm. Embryos from IVF, whether donor embryos or created from a woman’s own eggs and partner’s sperm, may be transferred to either the intended parent’s uterus or into a gestational carrier’s (colloquially referred to as a “surrogate”) uterus.  Sometimes the term “IVF” is used to refer to the process of freezing eggs (oocyte cryopreservation) even if fertilization and creation of embryos does not take place.

Grief is a natural and common reaction to all kinds of loss; this includes the loss of or the threat of losing the chance to have children when diagnosed with infertility. Grief involves several emotional reactions to loss such as negative thoughts, a change in behaviors (e.g., difficulty sleeping), conflicting feelings, and challenging interpersonal experiences such as difficulty attending baby showers or other child-focused activities.

Grief related to infertility affects many areas of a person’s life. Infertility-related grief can include sadness, anger, anxiety, shock, feeling invisible, feeling like no one understands your experience, emotional numbness, loneliness, and/or difficulty engaging in daily life.ⁱ Fertility issues can also impact self-esteem.^ii,iii Although infertility-related grief can sometimes be long-lasting, feelings of grief generally decrease over time.

Conceiving through in vitro fertilization (IVF), or other assisted reproductive technology, is a multifaceted process that involves several steps. Once eggs have been retrieved, successfully fertilized, and the embryos have developed, the embryo transfer procedure is planned by the reproductive endocrinologist (REI, also called RE). IVF embryo transfer processes vary depending on factors that include whether fresh or frozen embryos are used and how many embryos are planned for transfer. Successful embryo implantation into the uterine cavity requires careful planning before the actual transfer procedure itself, and possibly a few lifestyle adjustments for the woman during the weeks immediately following the procedure.

Infertility is recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as many other professional societies, including the American Medical Association (AMA), the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), and the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE).^i,ii,iii,iv Estimates of infertility frequency vary worldwide, and even differ depending on the way data is collected. Prevalence is the term used to describe how common a disease/condition is in a particular population. According to the US National Survey of Family Growth, approximately 19.4 percent of married heterosexual women aged 15-49 years have experienced infertility.^v Estimates in the UK population for a similar population were 12.5 percent.^vi Some studies indicate that the prevalence of male infertility is approximately 10-15 percent, but these estimates may not be accurate due to the lack of good quality evidence.^vii