IVF in Greater Los Angeles
In vitro fertilization (IVF) has been around since 1978 when two doctors in England succeeded in placing an embryo started in a Petri dish into a woman’s uterus. At the time, the baby was referred to as the Test Tube Baby but, in fact, the embryos or pre-embryos for IVF are grown in Petri dishes. In vitro is Latin for “in glass.” When the first IVF produced a baby, chances of this happening were almost nil but advances are so great that now there is success in 4 out of 6 attempts. Worldwide there have been 20,000 successful births.
In IVF patients receive ovulation inducing eggs which cause the development of multiple eggs. The patient is closely monitored and at the optimal time, her eggs are removed under local anesthesia by putting a needle through the vaginal wall. This is no more uncomfortable than a Pap smear. After a short rest, the patient can go home. The eggs are then put in a Petri dish and sperm are combined. If the sperm count is low, eggs may be fertilized by placing a sperm inside an egg. The pre-embryos are then incubated in a special fluid. At two plus days, the eggs are inserted into the uterus at the same time this would naturally occur.
In Los Angeles there are several clinics and doctors who do IVF. We will discuss three. IVF is not cheap so we will look at how they aid their patients to pay for their services. Sometimes people will be lucky enough to have all or part of the procedures covered by insurance.
USC IVF
1127 Wilshire Blvd. #1400
Los Angeles, Ca 90017
213 795 9990
This is the Fertility Division of the Keck School of Medicine at the University of California. After a consultation with their doctor, patients meet with a financial consultant. USC is part of Capital One’s Family Fee Plan and if this is needed, the consultant will assist you in enrolling.
PACIFIC FERTILITY CENTER
10921 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, Ca 9002
626 209 7700
Patient’s Resource Center 800 999 9075
The Pacific Fertility Center is the nation’s oldest private IVF center, having been in operation for more than two decades. It offers the Access Plan to help patients with financial hardships to receive treatment. This plan has considerable discounts. The Pacific Fertility Center also gives monetary refunds in case of failure to achieve a pregnancy.
HUNTINGTON REPRODUCTION CENTER
333 South Arroyo Parkway
Pasadena Ca 91105
626 440 9161
Toll free 866 572 4483
Huntington Reproduction Center, started in 1988, is especially refreshing because it tells you up front what your IVF is going to cost. For a woman under age 35 the cost is $6,400 for the first cycle, $8900 for two cycles, and 10,900 for three cycles. A woman aged 36 to 39 the cost is $6400 for the first cycle, $9400 for two cycles, and $11,900 for three cycles. A woman aged 40 and over pays $6400 for the first cycle; Huntington does not offer more than the first cycle for women over 40.
IVF is costly both emotionally and financially so you should rule out all other options before attempting it.
