IVF Myths vs. Facts: What Intended Parents Should Know Before Starting Treatment

Every year on July 25, World IVF Day recognizes one of the most important milestones in reproductive medicine: the birth of Louise Brown, the world’s first baby born through in vitro fertilization, in 1978.

Although World IVF Day has passed, education about fertility treatment should continue throughout the year. IVF has helped create new possibilities for people experiencing infertility, LGBTQIA+ couples, single parents by choice, individuals using donor eggs or sperm, and intended parents pursuing gestational surrogacy.

Despite its widespread use, IVF is still surrounded by misconceptions. Understanding what IVF can and cannot do may help intended parents prepare for treatment, ask informed questions and approach family building with more realistic expectations.

Below, we separate some of the most common IVF myths from the facts.

What Is IVF?

In vitro fertilization, commonly called IVF, is a form of assisted reproductive technology in which eggs are retrieved from the ovaries and fertilized with sperm in a laboratory. The resulting embryos are monitored as they develop, and an embryo may later be transferred to the uterus of the intended mother or a gestational surrogate.

Depending on the intended parents’ circumstances, IVF may involve:

• The intended mother’s eggs

• Donor eggs

• The intended father’s sperm

• Donor sperm

• Previously frozen eggs or embryos

• Preimplantation genetic testing

• A gestational surrogate

The exact process and recommended treatment plan will vary according to each person’s medical history and the fertility clinic’s evaluation.

Myth 1: IVF Always Works on the First Attempt

Fact: Some intended parents require more than one IVF cycle or embryo transfer.

IVF has helped many people build their families, but it does not guarantee pregnancy or live birth. Not every retrieved egg will be mature, not every mature egg will fertilize and not every fertilized egg will develop into an embryo suitable for transfer.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, assisted reproductive technology success rates can vary based on factors such as age, infertility diagnosis, previous pregnancies and the specific procedures used. National or clinic-level statistics cannot predict exactly what will happen for an individual patient.

Some people may achieve pregnancy following their first embryo transfer, while others may need additional retrievals, transfers or changes to their treatment plan.

Intended parents should ask their reproductive endocrinologist to explain success rates in the context of their individual circumstances.

Myth 2: IVF Is Only for Couples Experiencing Infertility

Fact: IVF supports many different paths to parenthood.

IVF is commonly used to address infertility, but it is not limited to heterosexual couples who have been unable to conceive.

IVF may also be part of family building for:

• LGBTQIA+ intended parents

• Single parents by choice

• People using donor eggs or donor sperm

• Individuals at risk of passing on certain inherited conditions

• People preserving fertility before medical treatment

• Intended parents working with a gestational surrogate

• People who previously froze eggs or embryos

For some families, IVF is one part of a broader journey that may also involve egg donation, sperm donation, embryo testing or gestational surrogacy.

Myth 3: IVF Always Results in Twins or Multiples

Fact: IVF does not automatically result in a multiple pregnancy.

The belief that IVF always leads to twins is often connected to earlier practices in which multiple embryos were more commonly transferred.

Today, fertility specialists may recommend transferring one embryo when medically appropriate. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine explains that single-embryo transfer is considered best practice in many circumstances because multiple pregnancy can increase health risks for both the pregnant person and the babies.

The number of embryos transferred is a medical decision that should be made by the fertility physician based on factors such as embryo development, reproductive history, age and individual health considerations.

Myth 4: Transferring More Embryos Always Creates a Better Chance of Success

Fact: More embryos do not necessarily mean a safer or better outcome.

It may seem logical that transferring multiple embryos would increase the opportunity for pregnancy. However, it can also increase the likelihood of twins or higher-order multiples.

Multiple pregnancies may be associated with a greater risk of premature birth, low birth weight and pregnancy-related complications. For this reason, fertility specialists carefully consider how many embryos should be transferred.

When intended parents are pursuing gestational surrogacy, the IVF physician evaluates the medical circumstances and determines the appropriate embryo-transfer recommendation. ACRC Global supports evidence-based medical decision-making and encourages intended parents to follow the guidance of their licensed fertility specialists.

Myth 5: IVF Guarantees a Healthy Pregnancy and Baby

Fact: IVF cannot eliminate every pregnancy or health risk.

IVF helps with fertilization and embryo transfer, but it cannot guarantee implantation, an uncomplicated pregnancy or the birth of a healthy baby.

Pregnancies established through IVF still require appropriate prenatal care and medical monitoring. The health of the person carrying the pregnancy, embryo-related factors and circumstances that develop during pregnancy can all affect the outcome.

Intended parents should discuss potential risks, expected monitoring and treatment options directly with their fertility clinic and other qualified healthcare professionals.

Myth 6: Genetic Testing Can Guarantee a Healthy Baby

Fact: Embryo testing can provide specific information, but it has limitations.

Preimplantation genetic testing, or PGT, refers to several types of testing that may be performed on embryos created through IVF.

Depending on the circumstances, testing may be used to look for:

• Certain chromosome abnormalities

• A specific inherited condition identified within a family

• Particular structural chromosome rearrangements

However, genetic testing cannot detect every possible condition, predict every aspect of a child’s health or guarantee that a pregnancy will be successful.

Not every patient needs or benefits from the same form of testing. Intended parents should consult their reproductive endocrinologist and, when appropriate, a genetic counselor to understand what a test examines, its limitations and whether it may be relevant to their family.

Myth 7: IVF Is the Same for Every Patient

Fact: IVF treatment is highly individualized.

There is no single IVF protocol that works for everyone. Treatment may vary based on:

• Age and medical history

• Ovarian reserve

• Sperm-related factors

• Previous fertility treatment

• The use of donor eggs or sperm

• Known genetic considerations

• The number and development of available embryos

• Whether a gestational surrogate will carry the pregnancy

Medication protocols, testing requirements, treatment schedules and embryo-transfer recommendations can also vary between patients and clinics.

This is why intended parents should be cautious about comparing their treatment plan with another person’s experience online. What is recommended for one patient may not be appropriate for another.

Myth 8: All IVF Clinics Have the Same Success Rates and Services

Fact: Clinics may differ in experience, services and the populations they treat.

Fertility clinics can vary in the treatments they provide, their laboratory capabilities, the number and types of patients they serve, and their experience with donor-assisted reproduction or gestational surrogacy.

Success rates should also be interpreted carefully. A clinic treating older patients or more medically complex cases may have statistics that look different from a clinic serving a different patient population.

When comparing IVF clinics, intended parents may want to consider:

• Experience with their specific family-building needs

• Services available through the clinic

• Laboratory procedures and standards

• Communication and multilingual support

• Experience coordinating with egg donors or gestational surrogates

• How clearly costs and treatment options are explained

• How the clinic presents and calculates its success rates

The CDC provides clinic-level assisted reproductive technology data, but intended parents should discuss what those numbers mean for their individual circumstances with a qualified fertility physician.

Myth 9: IVF and Surrogacy Are the Same Process

Fact: IVF is a medical treatment, while gestational surrogacy is a broader family-building arrangement.

IVF and surrogacy are closely connected, but they are not interchangeable terms.

IVF is the medical process used to create embryos. In a gestational surrogacy journey, an embryo is transferred to a gestational surrogate who carries the pregnancy for the intended parent or parents. The surrogate does not provide the egg and therefore has no genetic connection to the baby.

A complete surrogacy journey generally involves more than the IVF procedure. It may also include:

• Surrogate recruitment and screening

• Matching between intended parents and a surrogate

• Psychological evaluations

• Independent legal representation

• A gestational surrogacy agreement

• Insurance and escrow coordination

• Medical clearance

• Embryo transfer

• Pregnancy support and case management

• Parentage and newborn documentation

An experienced surrogacy agency helps coordinate these different parties and stages, while licensed medical and legal professionals remain responsible for decisions within their respective areas.

Myth 10: The Surrogacy Agency Makes IVF Medical Decisions

Fact: IVF clinics and licensed medical professionals make medical decisions.

A surrogacy agency may help intended parents identify potential fertility resources, organize records, coordinate appointments and communicate with the professionals involved in the journey. However, the fertility physician and IVF clinic determine medical eligibility, testing requirements, treatment protocols and embryo-transfer recommendations.

At ACRC Global, our role is to help intended parents navigate the broader surrogacy process and keep the different stages and professionals appropriately coordinated. We do not replace the advice or clinical judgment of a fertility physician.

When Might IVF Be Used With Gestational Surrogacy?

IVF is necessary for gestational surrogacy because the embryo is created before being transferred to the surrogate’s uterus.

Intended parents may consider gestational surrogacy for many different reasons, including:

• An inability to safely carry a pregnancy

• Absence of a uterus

• Certain medical conditions or pregnancy risks

• Repeated unsuccessful fertility treatment

• Previous pregnancy complications

• Family building for gay male couples

• Family building for some single intended parents

• Other circumstances evaluated by qualified medical professionals

The decision to pursue surrogacy is personal and may involve medical, legal, financial and emotional considerations. A consultation with an experienced agency can help intended parents understand how the overall process may apply to their circumstances.

Questions to Ask Before Beginning IVF

Before starting treatment, consider asking your fertility clinic:

1. What testing do you recommend before treatment begins?

2. Which factors may affect our individual chance of success?

3. How do you define and report your IVF success rates?

4. How many treatment cycles might we need to consider?

5. How many embryos do you recommend transferring, and why?

6. Would genetic counseling be helpful for our family?

7. Is preimplantation genetic testing relevant to our circumstances?

8. What are the limitations of any recommended testing?

9. Which costs are included in the treatment estimate?

10. Does your clinic have experience coordinating with egg donors or gestational surrogates?

11. What happens if an embryo transfer is unsuccessful?

12. Who should we contact if we have questions during treatment?

Clear answers can help intended parents understand their options and make informed decisions with their medical team.

How ACRC Global Supports Intended Parents Pursuing IVF and Surrogacy

IVF treatment can already involve complex medical decisions. When egg donation or gestational surrogacy is added to the journey, intended parents may also need to coordinate with donors, surrogates, fertility clinics, attorneys, insurance professionals, escrow providers and case managers.

With more than 11 years of experience supporting over 1,300 family-building journeys, ACRC Global provides personalized surrogacy, egg donation and fertility coordination for intended parents in the United States and around the world.

Our multilingual team supports intended parents by helping coordinate:

• Surrogate and donor matching

• Screening and medical-clearance stages

• Communication with fertility clinics

• Independent legal processes

• Insurance and escrow arrangements

• Embryo-transfer preparation

• Pregnancy milestones

• Birth planning and newborn documentation

• International family-building logistics

Medical decisions remain with licensed healthcare professionals, and legal advice is provided by independently qualified attorneys. ACRC helps bring the different parts of the journey together so intended parents can move forward with greater clarity and support.

Continue the Conversation Beyond World IVF Day

World IVF Day offers an opportunity to recognize the scientific progress that has expanded the possibilities for family building. It is also a reminder that intended parents deserve clear, responsible and realistic information throughout the year.

IVF is not a guarantee, and no two fertility journeys are identical. However, understanding the process, separating myths from facts and working with experienced professionals can help intended parents make informed choices about what comes next.

If you are considering IVF with egg donation or gestational surrogacy, ACRC Global can help you understand the process and explore the options available for your family.

Book a free consultation with ACRC Global

Watch: One Mother’s IVF Journey

Every IVF experience is different. Alongside understanding the medical process, hearing from someone who has experienced IVF personally can offer valuable insight into the emotional realities, decisions and challenges that may arise along the way.

Watch one mother share her IVF journey on the ACRC Global YouTube channel:

Watch the full IVF story on YouTube

This video reflects one individual’s personal experience. IVF treatment and outcomes vary, and personal stories should not be considered medical advice or a prediction of another person’s results.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, genetic, legal or other professional advice and should not be used as a substitute for guidance from qualified professionals. IVF treatment, genetic testing and surrogacy recommendations vary based on individual circumstances. Please consult a licensed fertility specialist, genetic counselor and reproductive attorney before making decisions about your family-building journey. ACRC Global does not provide medical, genetic or legal advice.