IVF Requirements: What You Need to Know Before Starting Treatment

When you're considering IVF, in vitro fertilization, a medical process where eggs are fertilized outside the body and implanted into the uterus. It's one of the most common assisted reproductive technologies used worldwide, especially in India where access has grown significantly over the last decade. But IVF isn’t just about picking a clinic and showing up. There are real medical, financial, and emotional requirements that shape who qualifies—and who doesn’t. Many people assume IVF is a simple fix for infertility, but the truth is more layered. It’s not just about having trouble getting pregnant. It’s about your age, hormone levels, ovarian reserve, uterine health, and even your partner’s sperm quality.

IVF age limits, the upper age threshold clinics typically set for women undergoing treatment, often between 40 and 45 in India. Also known as fertility age cutoff, this isn’t arbitrary—it’s based on egg quality declining sharply after 35, and success rates dropping to under 5% after 44. Then there’s IVF cost in India, which ranges from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh per cycle depending on the city, clinic, and whether you need donor eggs or sperm. It’s not covered by most insurance, so many families plan for years to afford even one round. And don’t forget IVF eligibility, the clinical criteria clinics use to decide if you’re a candidate—things like blocked fallopian tubes, low sperm count, PCOS, or unexplained infertility. Some clinics also require couples to be legally married, and others ask for psychological counseling before starting.

What you won’t find on most clinic websites? The emotional toll. IVF isn’t a single procedure—it’s a cycle of shots, scans, waiting, and hope. And if the first cycle fails, you’re back to square one, often with higher costs and lower odds. That’s why many people who start IVF end up doing multiple cycles. One study showed that nearly 60% of women under 35 need at least two cycles to get pregnant. The ones who succeed often do so because they prepared—not just medically, but mentally and financially.

Below, you’ll find real stories and facts from people who’ve walked this path. From how many cycles are typically needed to whether IVF babies look like their parents, and what actually affects your chances of success. These aren’t ads or brochures. They’re honest insights from people who’ve been there—and the doctors who’ve seen it all.