This may be due to a medical condition such as blocked fallopian tubes, or a partner with low sperm function. Many of these couples choose an alternative called invitro fertilization, where a man's sperm and a woman's eggs are combined into an embryo an artificial environment and implanted back into the woman. In younger women, the chances of a pregnancy are greater. This frequently occurs because multiple embryos are surgically placed in the woman - more embryos are placed in older women. If couples have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive for over a year, they may want to consider invitro fertilization.
Some health insurance covers all or part of the procedure.
Before undergoing the procedure, couples are counseled by a doctor. At Union Memorial Hospital's Invitro Clinic, success rates are comparable to similar facilities across the country, with the most successes seen in women 35 and younger.