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What I Wish I'd Known Before Getting IVF

By Zahra Thompson

When you're avoiding getting pregnant, it's easy to feel like one little slip-up will end with a bun in the oven. The possibility can create a lot of vigilance around taking your birth control pills , making sure you always use condoms properly, or even opting for an IUD for that extra level of protection. That's why when some women are finally ready to get pregnant and can't, it seems like an especially cruel twist of fate. Even though in vitro fertilization exists, it's usually not the one-shot, silver-bullet infertility solution it's made out to be.

" IVF is not a guaranteed pregnancy," Brian Levine, M.D., New York practice director for the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine , tells SELF. During each cycle of IVF, the majority of women have a success rate of 20-35 percent, according to Resolve , the National Infertility Association. (Keep in mind that a couple with no fertility issues has about a 15-20 percent chance of conceiving each month.) That doesn't mean your chances of getting pregnant with IVF are doomed, just that there's no one-size-fits-all way to go about it. "It's very rare that I have a couple I can't treat, but people have to understand what treatment involves," says Levine.

Namely, IVF may require shots to stimulate your ovaries , other medications to help the eggs mature and prevent premature ovulation, timing your medications properly, getting blood drawn or undergoing vaginal ultrasounds, and dealing with financial strain to top it all off, says Levine. While IVF has made many women's dreams come true, "people quite often don't ever think this is how they're going to start their family," he says. Here, eight women share what they wish they'd known before embarking upon the IVF journey.

1. I wish I'd known how it would change my relationship with my husband.

"My husband and I went through IVF after we tried to conceive naturally for more than three years, and we had success with our second round. I'm currently pregnant with our first child, due January 15.My husband and I have always been very, very close, but going through a major health journey like this for two years brought us even closer than I could have imagined. It turned into a wonderful experience (minus the needles and being tired all the time).

My husband actually passed away very suddenly five weeks ago, a week and a half after our egg transfer and only a few days before I found out I was pregnant. I have really wonderful memories of how incredibly supportive he was and all the hours spent talking about how we wanted to raise our little one. Infertility and IVF are such a roller coaster, but my husband and I went into the experience with a very positive attitude." —Jessica F., 29

2. I wish I'd known that for me, adoption was the answer.

"I did five intrauterine inseminations and six rounds of IVF between 2004 and 2007, including one with donor sperm. I also did a frozen embryo transfer with donor embryos. Receiving the package of IVF meds in the mail was so exciting, then we'd get to the embryo transfer and the excruciating two-week wait to see if it worked. Twice, it did and was so thrilling, but both times, something was wrong with the embryo and I lost the pregnancy.

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I wish I'd known from the start how happy I would be as an adoptive mom. I adopted my son after my treatments failed, and I now have the most amazing 8-year-old boy. If the price I had to pay to be his mom was four years of treatments and two miscarriages, then so be it. He was worth the trouble." —Teena M., 48

3. I wish I'd known how often I'd fail.

"I can sum up IVF in three (overused) words: blood, sweat, and tears . You truly don't know how resilient, how strong, and how determined you are until you experience IVF and come out on the other side. But it is something you absolutely must take step by step. It's so easy to get ahead of yourself and set timelines and goals that you will almost undoubtedly fail to reach. With every procedure, every cycle, every phone call with pregnancy results, you must take a deep breath and just concentrate on the next step." — Katie A ., 34

4. I wish I'd known to get other opinions.

"My husband and I went through three cycles of IVF. The process the first time around was definitely new, but by the third time, it actually became strangely routine. I recommend people do whatever they can to stay sane during the process and be extra good to themselves! Also know that it’s OK to get a second or even third opinion. Many patients feel beholden to their doctors and don’t trust their guts. It’s vital that you feel a connection with your doctor and are enthusiastic about the protocol they are recommending. It’s an emotional and important journey, and you should feel good about who is treating you." —Jennifer P., 42

5. I wish I'd known that it doesn't always take the first time around. Or the second. Or the fourth.

"I went through five rounds of IVF and finally just had a baby. Initially, I started off hopefully. Then I would feel sad, then I would feel angry. I also felt like a total failure and would get really down on myself. I wish I'd known so much: Don't count on the first round working. Go to a counselor to help you sort through your feelings. Stick with self-preservation, avoid baby showers, and stay away from social media if you need to. Don’t tell people, or they will constantly ask you the status (if it takes, you want to be in the clear, and if it doesn’t, you won’t want to talk about it). And know your limit mentally and financially. After my fifth round, I planned on it not working and I was ready to move on with my life knowing I tried everything. Once I was getting ready to throw in the towel, IVF worked." —M. Lynn, 38

6. I wish I'd known that it helps to talk about it.

"It was a long road of trying—and losing—before we explored IVF. Most of my pregnancies (there have been many) self-terminated before the eight-week mark. After tests, we realized I carry a chromosomal abnormality, which was likely why babies we produced naturally weren't developing as they should. IVF with preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) was our only option if I wanted to become pregnant with my own healthy child and carry it to term.

I’m not sure there’s anything anyone could have told me to help prepare me—there are the injections and medications, then several appointments for blood tests and ultrasounds, and it's physically exhausting and painful. But just being able to talk to someone about it is helpful. Everyone I know who's gone through IVF has had their own unique experience. I wish I’d been more open to talking about it during the first round, but I didn’t want anyone to know." —Monica H., 38

7. I'm glad I knew that different clinics do things differently.

"I had several pre-existing health conditions that made it unsafe to carry my own child. We went through IVF so we could have a gestational surrogate carry our child. My husband and I were very hopeful. We knew this was our family's story and that made it special.

I did a ton of research on clinics before moving forward with IVF because my doctors only approved me for one round due to my other health conditions. We had to nail it. My research uncovered that IVF philosophies differ from clinic to clinic. Some of the more well known clinics in my area put every patient on the same cycle, and every patient would have their procedures done on the same day, and never on weekends or holidays. But every woman is different. When one woman may be ready for the extraction, another woman could go another day or two on hormone shots in order to get more eggs. The clinic I ended up choosing did cycles and procedures according to when MY body was ready. Our IVF doctor and nurses came in on the July 4th holiday for our transfer! Now we have 15-month old twins, one boy and one girl." —Rachel K., 38

Quotes have been edited and condensed for clarity.

Watch: Women Openly Share What It Feels Like To Be Told You Can't Have Kids

Photo Credit: Illustration by Jocelyn Runice

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Welcome to Your IVF Journey

Ivf treatment abroad you can afford.

Your decision to have IVF abroad is a big one. That’s why we support you from day one. We work exclusively with one of the most respected fertility clinics in the EU. We help you plan your trip and coordinate your treatment, carefully guiding you through the whole process. Top-quality IVF treatment doesn’t have to break the bank – and we’re here to prove it.

Supporting you every step of the way, we manage every aspect of your treatment and trip

Why choose us, our unique, personalised support guarantees the best results, every time..

Founded by successful fertility patients Ben and Becky Saer , Your IVF Journey arranges low-cost, high-quality IVF abroad for couples struggling to conceive. An IVF cycle can cost up to £10,000 in many UK clinics. As a result, more and more couples now travel abroad for their IVF treatment. Meticulous coordination and intelligent support are our hallmarks.

Success rates

Our success rates are far better than most uk clinics, reflecting our outstanding care..

Having your IVF abroad isn’t just about saving money. Perhaps you’ve had one or two failed cycles in the UK. Or you feel disillusioned by the standard of care you received. Higher success rates and shorter waiting times come as standard at our clinic. So you can focus on your treatment, away from the stresses of home and work life.

Whatever treatment you're considering, we'll help you make the right choice.

Whether you’re thinking of having IVF , donor eggs or embryo adoption , you’re in safe hands. We’re here to help you – wherever you live in the world. Choose from one of the three treatment options below. We’ll plan your treatment and ensure it’s the right option for you. We give pragmatic, honest advice and coordinate your treatment with care and integrity.

Top-quality treatment at affordable prices - you won't find better value.

Our prices for IVF , donor-egg and donor-embryo treatment are some of the lowest in the world. Yet the quality of treatment is unrivalled. You’ll save up to 70% by having your treatment abroad with us. Even factoring in flights and accommodation, the savings are huge. We passionately believe that IVF treatments should be reasonably priced and accessible to all.

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What our clients say

Patient stories.

We’ve helped over 1,000 couples since we started. Our patients like what we do and regularly give us positive feedback and testimonials. We share the journey with each and every one of our patients. Read our moving, in-depth patient stories to see how far they’ve come.

Gemma and Luke

“Hi, my name is Gemma. I’m 31, and married to my childhood sweetheart, Luke. Thanks to Your IVF Journey, I now have a one-year-old little girl called Josie.”

Let’s get started

Call us today for a free, no-obligation chat. we're standing by to help you..

We’ve joined forces with a leading IVF clinic in the Czech Republic to oversee your treatment. We manage your booking, provide trustworthy and detailed information and minimise unexpected costs. How? Because we chose to have our IVF abroad at the very clinic we now work with. So we understand exactly what’s involved.

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Minnesota governor shares personal IVF journey: 'No one's business but your own'

I f Minnesota's support for protecting reproductive freedom wasn't already clear, Democratic Gov. Tim Walz just made it so: His family used IVF, and he's proud of it.

During Walz's sixth State of the State address, the former teacher briefly shared his own family's painful struggle to conceive.

Why hasn't he shared this before? "Your personal decisions about your family are no one's business but your own," he said during the just over 23-minute speech .

Throughout his administration, Walz has been an outspoken advocate for access to reproductive care and assured Minnesotans in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade that the state would protect their access to abortion.

Sign up for Your Vote: Text USA TODAY reporters and the elections team by joining our SMS service.

"If you have never personally gone through the hell of infertility, I guarantee you someone you know has," Walz said.

More: "We will continue serving our neighbors": One year of Minnesota's abortion rights bill

Protecting Minnesotan's reproductive freedoms

Earlier this month, Vice President Kamala Harris made a historic visit to an abortion clinic in the state's capitol city while highlighting the work of Minnesota to become a safe haven for those seeking medical care.

In 2023, Walz codified reproductive freedom by signing the Protection of Reproductive Options (PRO) Act, effectively carving the rights into state law. This decision directly counteracted the language of the Supreme Court Decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.

"Every individual has a fundamental right to make autonomous decisions about the individual's own reproductive health, including the fundamental right to use or refuse reproductive health care."

READ: Full PRO Act Law here

Since 2022, the state has seen a 100% increase in out-of-state patients, according to Planned Parenthood North Central States.

The fight over IVF

In February, an Alabama Supreme Court ruled that embryos created through the in-vitro fertilization process had the same legal rights as children, resulting in hundreds of fertility clinics around the state shutting down, and families left reeling about their futures of reproductive care.

More: A victory for reproductive rights? Democratic candidate Marilyn Lands wins Alabama special election

"What those judges [in Alabama] did was a direct attack on our family," Walz said. "It was a direct attack on my children."

Earlier this month, Alabama's Republican Gov. Kim Ivey signed into law a bill that grants civil and criminal immunity to these fertility clinics performing IVF care for the "death or damage to an embryo" during the process, paving the way for clinics to re-open.

Despite Alabama's reversal of these effects on families, Walz said in his address that he and Minnesotans will not forget.

"You have my pledge as long as I am governor, IVF will continue to offer a lifeline of hope for Minnesota families," he said.

— Sam Woodward is the Minnesota elections reporting fellow for USA Today. You can reach her at [email protected] , on X @woodyreports, or on Threads @samjowoody

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Minnesota governor shares personal IVF journey: 'No one's business but your own'

'Too Hot to Handle' Star Francesca Farago Announces Pregnancy With Fiancé Jesse Sullivan After IVF Journey

'too hot to handle' star francesca on dating celebrities & her relationship with diplo (exclusive), aoki lee simmons, 21, spotted kissing 65-year-old restaurateur, gwen stefani and son apollo assist blake shelton with farm work, sara evans on rekindling relationship with husband jay barker and new music (exclusive), ‘snl’ stars chloe troast and sarah sherman react to online diss, 2024 cmt music awards preview: what to expect on country music’s big night, jojo siwa on navigating adulthood while having young fans (exclusive), hayley erbert rejoins husband derek hough’s dance tour 4 months after emergency brain surgery, diddy’s son christian combs sued for sexual assault following home raid, angelina jolie claims brad pitt was abusive before 2016 plane incident, new york earthquake: bethenny frankel, andy cohen, al roker and more celebs react, sacha baron cohen and wife isla fisher split after 13 years of marriage, ‘joker: folie à deux’: what to know about the lady gaga sequel, kirsten dunst and jimmy kimmel’s kids got into a kindergarten fight, elle king reveals inspiration behind her new butt tattoo, elizabeth hurley says she used to bicker with ex hugh grant about having kids, jojo siwa's 'karma': behind the scenes of new music video (exclusive), diddy all smiles as federal investigation continues after home raid, what sara gilbert thinks of that patrick mahomes lookalike meme, gypsy rose blanchard clarifies romance and pregnancy rumors during interview with her ex, anna paquin using a cane as she battles mystery illness (source), jesse and francesca, who became engaged last april, first crossed paths during francesca’s tiktok live event for pride month..

Too Hot to Handle alum Francesca Farago is pregnant! 

The reality star and her partner, Jesse Sullivan, a prominent figure on TikTok, revealed they are expecting their first child together. The news, shared via social media on Sunday, marks a significant milestone in their journey toward parenthood.

Francesca took to Instagram to share their joy with fans, expressing gratitude for everyone's support throughout their fertility journey. "We've brought you with us through the loss, so we couldn't wait to bring you along for the win," she wrote, capturing the moment's excitement. "I am still pretty newly pregnant, and there's so much more to come, but we are so excited to be growing our family with Arlo as the coolest older sibling! AHH IM PREGNANT!" 

The couple has been candid about their struggles, including undergoing IVF treatments, making the announcement even more poignant.

Jesse, who came out as transgender in 2019, commemorated the occasion with a heartfelt TikTok video. In it, he reflected on their IVF journey and the significance of sharing the news on Transgender Day of Visibility. "We're pregnant!" Jesse exclaimed in the caption, emphasizing their challenges to reach this point and expressing pride in Francesca's resilience.

"Its been such a struggle to get here, but we felt like TDOV was the perfect day to let you all in on our celebration. Im so proud of @Francesca Farago for fighting her way to get here, and I fall more in love with her every day. Thank you for following our journey, and heres to more trans joy,"Jesse said. 

The impending arrival will expand their family, joining Jesse's 15-year-old child, Arlo, from a previous relationship. Francesca and Jesse expressed excitement at the prospect of Arlo becoming an older sibling, adding an extra layer of anticipation to their journey.

In a YouTube video posted on Feb. 1, Jesse reiterated the couple's commitment to raising their children in a manner that allows for self-discovery of gender identity. "We plan to raise our children according to the gender assigned to them at birth," they stated, "and then provide them with the space, love, and freedom to explore if that differs for them later on."

Detailing their parenting approach, Jesse described it as "blank slate parenting," wherein gender norms were never imposed on their child, Arlo. "I refrained from using gender-specific pronouns like she/her," Jesse explained, "and allowed Arlo to explore their identity freely." This approach bore fruit when Arlo expressed a preference for they/them pronouns, leading Sullivan to fully embrace and support their child's identity without hesitation.

Jesse and Francesca, who became engaged last April, first crossed paths during Francesca’s TikTok live event for Pride Month in June 2021, conducted over Zoom.

On Valentine's Day, Francesca, the founder of Farago the Label, disclosed that they were postponing their wedding plans until their first child or children arrived.

Before their relationship, Jesse was previously married to model Teela Sullivan. At the same time, Francesca’s dating history reportedly included Jef Holm, Harry Jowsey, Casey Boonstra, Kelechi Dyke, Haley Cureton, Kori Sampson, Branden Condy, and Tana Mongeau.

Francesca rose to prominence through her appearances on several Netflix dating shows, including Too Hot to Handle (2020), Love Is Blind (2021), and Perfect Match (2023).

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Guide To A Happy IVF Journey

March 29, 2024.

Parenthood is believed to be one of the happiest phases of life. However, it only comes in some people's ways as quickly as we want. But thanks to technology! With the help of science today, we have techniques like IVF. This technique has made it possible for all couples to attain parenthood.

Yes, if you are facing challenges in conceiving naturally. IVF can help. Interestingly, the cost of IVF in India is also quite affordable. However, there are many myths and beliefs around IVF. Some myths are so prominent that people have started believing them as facts.

But don't worry! We are here to burst all of them. This guide to a happy IVF journey is here. We will tell you the IVF success rate in India by age and much more . It will help you have a smooth IVF process.

Understanding IVF

IVF stands for In Vitro Fertilization. It is a complex assisted reproductive technology (ART). The process fertilizes an egg with sperm outside the body.

You heard it right: the egg is fertilized with sperm in a laboratory setting. This process offers hope to couples struggling with infertility. It can be a reliable solution for blocked fallopian tubes, male factor infertility, advanced maternal age, or unexplained infertility.

Understanding the cost of IVF

One central myth about IVF is that it is very costly. But let us tell you that this is not entirely true. The cost of IVF in India can vary significantly depending on various factors. It can also vary depending on the clinic's reputation, location, and the specific procedures required.

Further, any additional treatments or medications also impact IVF costs. On average, the cost of a single IVF cycle in India can range from INR 80,000 to INR 2,50,000. However, it's essential to note that this is just an estimate, and actual costs may vary.

IVF success rates

This is yet another crucial aspect of the IVF journey. Some believe that IVF is good, while others consider it unsuccessful. But why go with myths when we are here to help?

Experts believe that the IVF success rate in India by age can vary significantly due to various factors. It depends on ovarian reserve, egg quality, and overall reproductive health . Here's a general overview:

• Under 35 : Women under the age of 35 typically have higher chances of success with IVF. The success rate for this age group can range from 60% to 70% per cycle.
• 35-37 : Success rates begin to decline slightly in the late 30s, with the average success rate ranging from 35% to 45% per cycle.
• 38-40 : Women in this age group may experience further declines in success rates, with an average range of 25% to 35% per cycle.
• Over 40 : IVF success rates significantly decline for women over 40. This age group's average success rate ranges from 10% to 20% per cycle. Advanced maternal age poses challenges such as decreased ovarian reserve and increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities in embryos.

Now, you have clarity about the cost and success rate of IVF. It will help you have a happy IVF journey if you are ready to go through the IVF process. You should not delay. Quickly research the cost of IVF in India , and go for it.

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Francesca Farago and Jesse Sullivan Expecting First Baby Together: 'We Are So Excited to Be Growing Our Family'

The couple shared the happy news of Farago's pregnancy via a joint Instagram post on Sunday

Erin Clack is a Staff Editor for PEOPLE. She has been writing about fashion, parenting and pop culture for more than 15 years.

jessesulli/Tiktok

Francesca Farago and Jesse Sullivan are growing their family!

The reality TV star, 29, and her TikToker fiancé, 33, announced on Sunday that Farago is pregnant and expecting the couple's first baby.

They shared the happy news via a joint Instagram post , with Farago writing in the caption, "We wanted to take this special day to celebrate this amazing milestone with all of you. We’ve brought you with us through the loss, so we couldn’t wait to bring you along for the win."

"I am still pretty newly pregnant, and there’s so much more to come, but we are so excited to be growing our family with Arlo as the coolest older sibling!" she continued, referring to Sullivan's 15-year-old child.

"AHH IM PREGNANT!😭💫", she added.

Sullivan commented on the post: "I finally got her pregnant! So excited to be a dad to more world changers! 👶🏻👶🏻."

Sullivan also posted a video on TikTok on Sunday, documenting the highs and lows of their journey to conceive a baby. Clips show Farago giving herself shots and undergoing various procedures as part of the IVF process.

"We're pregnant! It's been such a struggle to get here, but we felt like TDOV [International Transgender Day of Visibility] was the perfect day to let you in on our celebration," Sullivan captioned the video. "I'm so proud of @Francesca Farago for fighting her way to get here, and I fall more in love with her every day."

The couple, who has been documenting their journey with IVF on their respective TikTok accounts, chatted with PEOPLE in August about planning their "huge" wedding and expanding their family after getting engaged this past spring.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

“We were debating for a while about if we wanted to go big or not,” Farago told PEOPLE exclusively. “We decided we only do this once and to just go huge!”

After meeting on a Zoom call (Farago was interviewing the influencer for a TikTok pride event) there was an “instant attraction through the screen,” she said.

“We both couldn’t stop staring at each other,” she told PEOPLE. “After the Zoom I remember running around the house and telling my friends I found my new boyfriend.”

The family-oriented couple said that they want to expand their household as soon as possible — but they are waiting until after they tie the knot in May.

"We want to get pregnant right after the wedding,” Farago said, adding that what she and Sullivan are most excited about married life is “babies babies babies!”

“Growing our family, getting more animals, raising kids together and just being in love,” the  Too Hot to Handle  star added.

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Is the Flipped Alabama Seat a Sign IVF Will Be a Big Issue in November?

It’s complicated..

When a Democrat wins a race in a majority-white district in Alabama, it’s almost always remarkable. But even then, when Alabama House District 10 flipped from red to blue in Tuesday’s election, it made an unusually big splash for a state-level office. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, noting that the district had heavily favored Donald Trump in 2016, called it a “political earthquake” and a “harbinger of things to come.” The reason for this was in the Democratic candidate’s strategy. She had campaigned largely on reproductive rights, a little more than a month after the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos were to be considered human, imperiling in vitro fertilization clinics in the state.

And it was a resounding win: The Democrat, Marilyn Lands, had won 62 percent of the vote to her opponent’s 37. The question such a landslide victory inevitably raises is one with national implications: Is IVF going to be a problem for Republicans in November?

It’s a reasonable question, and it’s possible there is a sign of IVF’s potency in this race. But the reality of the election tells a somewhat more muddied story.

First, it should be noted that Alabama House District 10 is an unusual one. The district abuts Huntsville, a city known nationally for its aerospace industry. It includes the airport and the Redstone Arsenal, a military base that employs a significant portion of the town’s population, as well as the U.S. Space and Rocket Center, home to Space Camp. It’s highly educated, wealthy, and populated by transplants from all over the country. In other words, Huntsville tells us less about Alabama and more about the nation as a whole—making the flip a less impressive feat than had it been ruby-red Mobile, for example. Still, it’s a useful data point for Democrats strategizing around similar wealthy, educated suburbs around the country.

The district’s history bears this out: While it did vote for Trump by 13 points in 2016, it came out overwhelmingly for Doug Jones against Roy Moore in 2018, with a dramatic swing of 42 points from the state’s previous U.S. Senate race. And while in most other elections, the district has voted Republican, its voters supported Jones again (though to a lesser degree) in his ill-fated campaign against Tommy Tuberville in 2020, and, notably, in 2018, went against Tom Parker—the state Supreme Court chief justice who cited biblical reasoning in his ruling for the IVF case. In 2020, the district voted for Trump again, but only by 1 point. So it’s only barely a Republican district.

Still, Lands had run previously and failed. But there were a couple of other elements Lands had on her side this time. In what may have been the most crucial factor, this race was a special election, meaning there was no presidential or gubernatorial name at the top of the ticket to encourage mass turnout and party-line voting. (Fewer than 6,000 ballots were cast.) And she was, by all accounts, simply a strong candidate, having gained attention, funding, and experience from her previous bid.

“She was a good campaigner,” said Steve Flowers, a longtime syndicated political columnist in Alabama, noting that she ran a sophisticated and well-funded operation. “​​People have got to like somebody, and she was likable.”

But Lands’ success clearly had a lot to do with her focus on reproductive rights. As part of her campaign, Lands put out an ad in which she shared her own abortion story from a nonviable pregnancy. Her materials heavily featured an Alabama woman who more recently had to travel out of state for an abortion when her fetus had a fatal condition. Her opponent, Teddy Powell, stayed quiet on those issues and focused on more local matters instead.

“That is definitely a national wake-up call, because she ran totally on reproductive rights and the abortion issue and the IVF issue,” Flowers said. “That district is reflective of a national audience, which tells me it’s an Achilles’ heel.”

It’s been more than a year and a half since Roe v. Wade was overturned, and we’ve had plenty of time to see the practical fallout of that decision, in ways that may have swayed some moderates who underestimated the effect that the Republican campaign against abortion would have. It’s not just the restrictions on abortion, many people are realizing. It’s not even just extreme abortion bills with no exceptions for rape, incest, or the life of the mother. It’s also the other health care issues put at risk when lawmakers and judges decide that life begins at conception: birth control pills, IUDs, and fertility treatment, as well as precautionary refusals of care from doctors and health care providers who fear legal risks.

“If you’re someone on the margins who, after the Dobbs decision, bought into the idea that it’s not going to change anything, that people will still be able to access health care, that it’ll just bring the issue back to the states, a lot of what happened in the last year might have changed your mind,” said Nicole Kalaf-Hughes, a political science professor at Bowling Green State University. “This is a natural consequence of Dobbs . Two years ago, a lot of people were like, ‘It won’t affect anything.’ But this is a natural implication.”

The politics of IVF are likely to be slightly different from abortion. IVF has less stigma than abortion does, and while having an abortion is a common experience, it’s not commonly spoken about. A conservative pro-life person is more likely to know someone who is open about an experience with IVF, and to therefore feel less politically entrenched over it.

And according to Kelly Dittmar, a political science professor at Rutgers University–Camden and a scholar at the Center for American Women and Politics at the Eagleton Institute of Politics, the anti-abortion message has been effective for Republicans because it’s been able to be presented as a black-and-white matter: Life begins at conception . Democrats, meanwhile, have historically struggled to land on a unified and clear message about abortion. IVF, Dittmar said, has flipped that dynamic. “This one feels, for Democrats, a little cleaner,” she said. “And there’s more clarity on Republican and conservative hypocrisy. It’s: ‘You’re limiting something that can allow life.’ ”

Where Dittmar sees the potential power of IVF in an election is in mobilizing wealthy, college-educated women who are already inclined to vote for Democrats. Already, college-educated white women have seen a huge political shift over the Trump years and come out as solidly blue.

“So the question is: To what degree will this kind of messaging mobilize voters who otherwise won’t turn out, women who aren’t super excited about octogenarian men at the top of the ticket?” Dittmar said. She noted that college-educated white women do vote at a higher rate than men, but turnout can always be increased.

Because voters tend to care more about economic issues, Dittmar doesn’t believe that IVF will become a major factor in November, unless any states decide to put initiatives addressing it on the ballot. She doesn’t see it changing voters’ minds in any significant way. Just as abortion plays better in some areas than others, IVF is likely to be most useful in purple-ish suburban areas with large numbers of educated and wealthier women. (IVF typically costs tens of thousands of dollars.) In those areas, a focus on IVF along with other reproductive rights could help generate greater funding and attention, just as constitutional abortion rights did for states where it was on the ballot in 2022 .

Where IVF matters is a question of where it is threatened. In Alabama, Lands got a boost from the state Supreme Court decision and the tepid response from the state Legislature. (“You get a proximity effect there that you might not get in the fall,” Kalaf-Hughes said. “If I’m an Alabama Republican, I would have been looking at the Supreme Court and saying, ‘Too soon, too far, you should have waited until next year.’ But you still might have a long enough time frame between the decision and November.”) In Alabama, the ruling placed immediate limitations on IVF treatments in the state; it’s unclear what will happen in other states between now and November.

This particular dynamic of a hard-right state Legislature and a purple district made for an ideal place for IVF to be played up as the election’s decisive issue. In more progressive states where IVF isn’t threatened, it likely won’t matter much. In deep-red states, such as Alabama, it’ll make a difference in a few local races, but it won’t make a dent on the overall state makeup. The place where IVF might actually be significant, Kalaf-Hughes said, is in a gerrymandered state where the legislature is farther right than the overall population and is likely to make the population feel their rights are at risk.

“It’s not going to change the state,” Kalaf-Hughes said. “It may not change national politics. But in races like this, when people are in margins, issues like this will swing voters.”

For more on Marilyn Lands and what the national Democrats can learn from her victory,  listen to What Next , Slate’s daily news podcast.