Hysterectomy and IVF: A Practical Guide

If you’ve had a hysterectomy and still want to become a parent, IVF might be on your radar. It sounds complicated, but the basics are pretty straight‑forward. In this guide we’ll break down how IVF works when you don’t have a uterus, what you need to prepare, and the other routes you can consider.

Can You Do IVF After a Hysterectomy?

Short answer: Yes, you can. IVF doesn’t rely on a uterus to create embryos; it only needs healthy eggs (or donor eggs) and sperm. The embryos are grown in a lab, then placed in a surrogate’s uterus for the pregnancy to continue. This means the absence of your own uterus isn’t a deal‑breaker, but it does add a few extra steps and costs.

The first thing you’ll do is a full fertility assessment. Your doctor will check hormone levels, look at any remaining ovarian tissue, and run an ultrasound if possible. Even after a hysterectomy, many women still have functioning ovaries that can produce eggs. If your ovaries are gone or not working well, you’ll need donor eggs.

Key Steps and What to Expect

1. Ovarian Reserve Test – Blood tests (like AMH) tell you how many eggs you likely have left. This guides whether you’ll use your own eggs or go straight to donors.

2. Choose a Donor – If you need donor eggs, you’ll pick a donor based on health history and traits you prefer. Many clinics offer anonymous or known donors.

3. Set Up a Surrogate – A surrogate carries the pregnancy for you. You’ll work with an agency or a clinic that matches you with a screened surrogate.

4. IVF Cycle – Hormone injections stimulate the ovaries (yours or the donor’s) to produce multiple eggs. The eggs are retrieved, fertilized with sperm, and the embryos grow for a few days.

5. Embryo Transfer – One or more embryos are placed into the surrogate’s uterus. The surrogate then follows a normal pregnancy routine.

6. Legal and Emotional Prep – Contracts with the surrogate, counseling for all parties, and clear communication plans are crucial. This step often takes as much time as the medical part.

Costs can add up quickly – IVF itself, donor egg fees, surrogate compensation, legal fees, and travel if the surrogate lives elsewhere. Many couples budget for $100,000‑$150,000, but exact numbers vary by clinic and location.

Success rates for IVF with a surrogate are similar to standard IVF. According to the latest data, live‑birth rates per transfer hover around 50‑55% for fresh embryos and a bit higher for frozen‑thawed embryos. Your age at the time of egg retrieval (or the donor’s age) is the biggest factor.

It’s also worth exploring other family‑building choices. Adoption, both domestic and international, is a viable path. For some, using a gestational carrier (surrogate) who also provides her own eggs simplifies the process, though this limits genetic connection to you.

Finally, take care of your mental health. The journey can feel like a roller coaster, especially when you’re juggling surgery recovery, hormone treatments, and legal paperwork. Talk to a therapist who specializes in fertility, join a support group, and keep an open line with your partner.

Bottom line: A hysterectomy doesn’t close the door on having children. IVF with a surrogate, donor eggs, or both can turn your dream into reality. Gather reliable info, assemble a trustworthy team, and move forward one step at a time.