When my wife and I first learned that we would need IVF to grow our family, we felt overwhelmed—not just by the emotional aspects, but especially by the staggering costs. Like many American couples, we faced the reality that IVF treatments in the United States can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars, sometimes exceeding $100,000 depending on the number of cycles needed.
After one of Carrie’s friends mentioning IVF abroad and careful research, we discovered an alternative that changed everything for us: IVF treatment at Unica Clinic in Prague, Czech Republic. Now, as proud parents of a beautiful baby boy, we’re sharing our story to help other couples discover the affordable, high-quality IVF options available abroad. Let’s jump right in!
Breaking Down the Costs: USA vs. Czech Republic
Here’s the latest breakdown based on our personal IVF journey, reflecting more current medication prices in both the U.S. and the Czech Republic. [Price comparison updated: 04/01/2025]
In the U.S.:
1st IVF Cycle (Own Eggs)
• Base IVF Procedure: $12,000
- (Monitoring, egg retrieval, laboratory fertilization, fresh embryo transfer, etc.)
• Medications (Stimulation + Trigger + Luteal): ~$7,000
• (High-dose gonadotropins can easily run $5k–$8k without insurance, plus ~$500 in antagonist meds and ~$200–$300 trigger. Luteal support meds ~$300–$500.)
• Consultations & Ultrasounds: $1,000
• ICSI (Sperm Injection): $1,500
Total for 1st Cycle: ~$21,500
2nd & 3rd IVF Cycles (Donor Eggs, Two Different Donors)
(Because these used donor eggs, the donor’s medication costs are typically included in the clinic’s donor package. However, the recipient’s medication—progesterone, estrogen—still applies.)
• Donor Egg IVF (Two Separate Donor Cycles): $80,000
- (Estimated $40k per donor cycle in the U.S., covering donor recruitment, compensation, donor meds, retrieval, and embryology.)
• Additional Medications and Treatments for Recipient: ~$3,000
- (Progesterone, estrogen, sometimes antibiotics or other adjuncts across multiple attempts.)
• Embryo Freezing & Storage (5 embryos total across two cycles): $3,000
• Multiple Embryo Transfers (fresh or frozen): $4,500
Total for Donor Egg Cycles: ~$90,500
Total Estimated U.S. Cost: $112,000
In the Czech Republic (Unica Exclusive Plus Program):
1st IVF Cycle (Own Eggs)
• IVF Base Procedure: €3,500 ($3,750)
- (Includes consultations, ultrasounds, egg retrieval, ICSI, blastocyst culture, transfer, assisted hatching, etc.)
• Medications: €2,000 ($2,150)
- (Stimulation gonadotropins, antagonist or agonist for suppression, trigger shot, and luteal progesterone. Still drastically cheaper than in the U.S.)
Total for 1st Cycle: ~$5,900
Unica Exclusive Plus Donor Egg Program
• Package Cost: €10,500 ($11,235)
- (Up to two donor cycles, guaranteed 5 embryos, Timelapse, PICSI, donor’s meds included, embryo freezing/storage, multiple transfers.)
• Additional Medication for Recipient: €1,000 ($1,065)
- (Mostly estrogen & progesterone for preparation and luteal support.)
Total for Donor Egg Program: ~$12,300
Total Czech Republic Cost: ~$18,200
(The donor package cost remains similar, but we adjusted the self-egg cycle meds up to ~$2,150, reflecting more realistic U.S.–EU price differentials. This brings the overall total to about $18,200.)
Total Savings: ~$93,800
(Comparing $112,000 in the U.S. vs. $18,200 in the Czech Republic.)
Yes, you read that right. Savings of roughly $93,800! This breakdown is for just the IVF treatment and medications. I will be writing another article about travel costs too, trust me when I say it is still significantly less expensive in Prague even with travel, food, accommodations and souvenirs (We had to have a Starbucks mug from every country visited on this journey).
“Financing” vs. “Pricing”: Why Transparency Matters
One key indicator of the stark cost difference is something you’ll notice right on clinic websites. In the United States, many fertility clinics have a dedicated menu item labeled “Financing,” offering various payment plans or loans to help patients handle the steep cost of treatment. Meanwhile, at Czech (and many European) clinics, you’ll typically see a menu labeled “Pricing.” This reflects a far more transparent approach: because their fees are generally lower and more manageable, they don’t need to bury their costs behind elaborate financing solutions.
This open pricing structure is not only more honest—it’s also less stressful for patients. Rather than juggling loans or high-interest payment plans, you know exactly what you’ll pay, up front, often at a fraction of the U.S. price.
Quality and Success Rates Abroad
A common misconception we faced was that lower costs abroad would mean lower quality care or reduced success rates. Nothing could be further from the truth. Unica Clinic provided exceptional care—state-of-the-art facilities, experienced medical professionals, and personalized attention throughout our IVF journey.
We felt supported and cared for, and importantly, the success rates at Unica Clinic match or even exceed many top U.S. clinics. Ultimately, we welcomed our son through an affordable yet premium-quality IVF process.
Fertility Treatment Abroad: A Viable Path to Parenthood
Our experience opened our eyes to a world of options outside the expensive U.S. healthcare system. This revelation inspired us to launch Passport to Parenthood, our initiative dedicated to educating American couples about high-quality yet affordable fertility treatments overseas.
Traveling for IVF might initially seem daunting, but the reality is different: it’s manageable, enjoyable, and significantly reduces the financial stress associated with fertility treatments. The Czech Republic, among other European countries, offers transparent pricing, excellent medical care, and an opportunity to explore beautiful, welcoming cities during treatment.
Takeaways and Next Steps
If you’re exploring IVF options, know that there are alternatives to costly treatments at home. By considering fertility treatments abroad, you could save tens of thousands of dollars—without sacrificing quality or results.
We invite you to connect with Passport to Parenthood. We’re here to share our experiences, provide resources, and help you take confident, informed steps toward building your family without the financial burdens traditionally associated with IVF.
Your path to parenthood may just require a passport—and we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Important Notes & Disclaimer
We are not medical professionals, nor are we qualified to provide medical advice. Our personal story and cost breakdowns are purely informational. Always follow the guidance of your doctor, fertility specialist, or midwife when making health decisions. We recommend finding a provider who is open and supportive of your IVF journey—especially if you plan to seek treatment abroad. In our own experience, we had an amazing midwife who served as our home base for prenatal care and delivery, ensuring continuity of care and peace of mind.
By sharing our experience, we hope to empower other couples to explore more affordable IVF options. However, we assume no liability for individual outcomes or decisions made based on this information. Every situation is unique, and you should consult professional healthcare providers to determine what’s right for you.
Sources & Further Reading
(All links last accessed April 25, 2025.)
- GoodRx. (2025). Gonal-F (follitropin alfa) prices, coupons & savings tips. Retrieved from https://www.goodrx.com/gonal-f
- GoodRx. (2025). Menopur (menotropins) prices, coupons & savings tips. Retrieved from https://www.goodrx.com/menopur
- GoodRx. (2025). Ovidrel (choriogonadotropin alfa) prices, coupons & savings tips. Retrieved from https://www.goodrx.com/ovidrel
- GoodRx. (2025). Cetrotide (cetrorelix) prices, coupons & savings tips. Retrieved from https://www.goodrx.com/cetrotide
- NHS Business Services Authority. (2024, July). Drug Tariff Part VIIIA (U.K. fertility-drug reimbursement list). Retrieved from https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk
- Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. (2025). Drug formulary: Fertility medicines section. Retrieved from https://www.imperial.nhs.uk
- Boots Pharmacy. (2025). Cetrotide 0.25 mg powder and solvent for injection—Price & availability. Retrieved from https://www.boots.com
- Unica Clinic. (2021). Egg Donation Cycle Price List (V03) [PDF]. Retrieved from https://unica.cz/wp-content/uploads/EN_UNICA_EggDonation_PriceList.pdf
- FertilityIQ. (2024). IVF cost: What patients really pay in the United States (Annual report). Retrieved from https://www.fertilityiq.com
- PharmacyChecker. (2024). Cetrotide price comparison—U.S. vs. international pharmacies. Retrieved from https://www.pharmacychecker.com
These references provide the retail pharmacy prices, national formulary rates, and clinic package fees that informed all cost comparisons in this article.
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