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Trouble conceiving and high-risk pregnancies

Explore common ART options.
Infertility is often defined as the failure to achieve pregnancy after a year of trying to conceive with no results or miscarriages, or after 6 months for women over the age of 35.1 In such a cases, it may be time to consult doctor. 
 
Depending on the cause, there may be treatments or surgeries that can help. Assisted reproductive technology (ART), is a broader term for group of medical procedures that rely on technology to help with conception and parenthood. It's commonly used for individuals or couples who struggle with infertility or conceiving on their own.1

According to the most recent reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 251,542 patience received ART cycles resulting in 94,039 live-birth deliveries and 98,289 live-born infants.3
 
Two of the most common types of ART are:

  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI). Also known as artificial insemination, it involves implanting sperm in the uterus. 
  • In vitro fertilization (IVF). Combines the sperm and eggs in a lab. After the egg is fertilized and the cells begin dividing, it becomes an embryo. The embryo, or more than a single embryo, is then implanted into the uterus. This step is called embryo transfer.

Paying for treatments

Fertility treatments can be very expensive. For instance, a single cycle of IVF can cost more than $20,000, and more than one IVF cycle is often needed. 

Your health insurance may cover part of the cost, and some employers even offer fertility benefits coverage. Once you’ve gotten a diagnosis and a recommendation for treatment, it’s a good idea to call your health insurance company to understand exactly what is covered. Also, if you have a health savings account (HSA), you could use that money to pay for fertility treatments, since they’re considered qualified medical expenses.

Other options to consider for payment are financing options through fertility loan programs or through programs offered by clinics (clinic based programs), and even grants and scholarships.

Although fertility treatments can be costly, there are coverage options available. Consider doing research to determine your eligibility and what may be available to you.

Finding a doctor for a high-risk pregnancy

If you had a hard time with a previous pregnancy, are over age 35, have health problems or develop them during pregnancy, your pregnancy may be classified as high-risk. In other cases, a suspected problem with the development of the baby could also make it high-risk. 
 
If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you may be referred to a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. Maternal-fetal medicine specialists, or perinatologists, are obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYNs) with advanced or additional years of training. They can help evaluate and monitor the health of the mother and baby during a high-risk pregnancy, through the birth, and afterwards. They can even be consulted before conception by families who have existing health problems or a family history of health problems. 

Consider a health savings account (HSA)

With an HSA, you can pay for qualified medical expenses in a tax-advantaged way.

Get started

More to explore

1. “Trying to conceive,” Office on Women’s Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, February 22, 2021, https://www.womenshealth.gov/pregnancy/you-get-pregnant/trying-conceive. 2." Male Infertility," Mayo Clinic, Dec. 28, 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/male-infertility/symptoms-causes/syc-20374773.
3. "ART Surveillance," CDC, December 10, 2024, https://www.cdc.gov/art/php/surveillance/index.html.

This information is general in nature and provided for educational purposes only.

Fidelity does not provide legal or tax advice. The information herein is general in nature and should not be considered legal or tax advice. Consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your specific situation.

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