If you’re feeling lost after another failed round of IVF, you’re not alone—and you’re not without options.
MTHFR and IVF failure are often mentioned together in fertility forums, doctor’s offices, and online articles, but the science and the path forward can feel confusing and even contradictory.
If you’re struggling with IVF and suspect MTHFR may be part of the picture, we invite you to speak with a surrogacy specialist today. Get personalized answers and compassionate guidance. Contact us today.
In this article we will share research and discussions about MTHFR and IVF implantation failure and what you can do if you are struggling with infertility.
How Does the MTHFR Gene Mutation
Affect IVF?
Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a gene that helps your body process folate, a key nutrient during pregnancy. The most commonly noted and studied gene variations are MTHFR C677T and MTHFR A1298C.
Some small studies suggest that impaired methylation or elevated homocysteine may affect the uterine lining, placental development or embryo quality, leading to what is sometimes referred to as MTHFR implantation failure.
While not everyone with an MTHFR mutation experiences problems, the gene’s role in reproductive health has become a focus for patients facing MTHFR and IVF failure, prompting additional testing and personalized treatment plans.
A full evaluation is essential to understand if and how the gene is playing a role in failed embryo transfers.
Learn more about when it may be time to consider moving on from IVF—and how options like surrogacy can offer new hope for growing your family.
IVF Protocol Adjustments for MTHFR and Implantation Failure
When MTHFR is identified as a possible contributor to IVF failure, many fertility clinics adapt treatment strategies to minimize risk and improve outcomes.
Common adjustments include:
- Switching to methylated prenatal supplements like L-methylfolate, methylcobalamin (B12), and P-5-P (B6) to support methylation and lower homocysteine levels.
- Prescribing low-dose aspirin or low molecular weight heparin (Lovenox) to address potential clotting issues that may interfere with implantation or placental development.
- Incorporating immune-modulated IVF protocols, especially in patients with overlapping reproductive immunology concerns.
These modifications are often personalized based on genetic testing, hormone profiles and past response to IVF.
If protocol changes fail to overcome recurrent implantation challenges, or if your body struggles to maintain a pregnancy despite healthy embryos, it may be time to consider surrogacy.
Can You Get Pregnant with an MTHFR Mutation?
Yes, you can get pregnant with an MTHFR mutation. However, certain variants, particularly when combined with other risk factors, may increase the likelihood of MTHFR and IVF failure or recurrent pregnancy loss.
The key concern with MTHFR mutations is how they impact folate metabolism and potentially raise homocysteine levels, which in some cases may disrupt embryo implantation or early placental development.
That said, having a mutation does not automatically mean infertility but it does make preconception planning, targeted supplementation (like L-methylfolate) and close monitoring more important.
MTHFR and Folic Acid
One of the most common concerns is that gene variants might affect your body’s ability to process folic acid.
Folic acid is a necessary B vitamin that plays a crucial role in pregnancy, and it is commonly recommended that women who are pregnant or want to become pregnant supplement with folic acid as a part of their prenatal vitamins.
While this concern has drawn a lot of attention, preliminary research shows only small differences in folic acid levels among people with MTHFR gene variants.
Staying Pregnant with MTHFR: What to Know
Staying pregnant with MTHFR is absolutely possible but it may require extra attention to prenatal care, nutrition and circulatory health, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with a homozygous mutation or have elevated homocysteine levels.
The biggest concerns during pregnancy involve MTHFR-related clotting issues, which may increase the risk of placental insufficiency, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) or late miscarriage.
Your provider might recommend baby aspirin, Lovenox injections, and continued use of methylated folate to support healthy pregnancy progression.
How MTHFR Is Diagnosed During Fertility Testing
Testing for MTHFR mutations is often done via bloodwork or saliva-based genetic testing panels, sometimes alongside broader thrombophilia screenings that assess risk for blood clots.
Especially for patients experiencing MTHFR and IVF failure, these diagnostic tools help build a full picture of how genetic, immunologic, or clotting-related factors may be interfering with embryo implantation.
Some clinics also recommend PGT (preimplantation genetic testing) and reproductive immunology consults for more advanced cases.
Lifestyle Changes to Support Fertility with MTHFR
Your lifestyle choices can play a meaningful role in optimizing fertility outcomes with an MTHFR mutation, especially when preparing for IVF or recovering from failed cycles.
Supportive changes include:
- Folate-rich diet: Increase intake of leafy greens, lentils, beans, citrus fruits, and avocados—all natural sources of L-methylfolate.
- Avoid synthetic folic acid: Found in many processed foods and generic vitamins, synthetic folic acid may not be properly converted in those with MTHFR variants.
- Reduce toxin exposure: Limit alcohol, endocrine disruptors (like BPA and phthalates)and tobacco—all of which can stress detox pathways impacted by MTHFR mutations.
- Stress reduction and sleep hygiene: Chronic stress can suppress reproductive hormone function and worsen methylation imbalances.
Always be sure to talk to your doctor before making any dietary or medicinal changes during your IVF journey.
When to Consider Surrogacy After MTHFR-Related IVF Struggles
For many intended parents who have endured multiple failed IVF cycles, even after optimizing for MTHFR, the emotional and physical toll becomes overwhelming.
In cases where MTHFR implantation failure is suspected, especially when paired with other uterine or clotting factors, surrogacy may represent a medically sound and emotionally healing next step.
If you’ve experienced MTHFR and IVF failure despite supplement protocols and repeated transfers, working with a gestational carrier could offer new hope.
Surrogacy allows you to use your own embryos (if viable), while bypassing potential complications related to implantation and pregnancy.
Why a Pre-Screened Surrogate Makes All the Difference
For intended parents navigating the emotional toll of MTHFR and IVF failure, choosing surrogacy is a deeply personal and often last-resort decision.
With a qualified surrogate, you reduce the risk of sudden disruptions like disqualifications after matching that can derail the process. These disruptions don’t just cost money—they cost time and emotional energy.
At American Surrogacy, every potential surrogate undergoes a rigorous screening process before ever being matched with a family. This includes:
- Comprehensive medical evaluation
- Mental health screening and psychological clearance
- Background checks
- Prior pregnancy and delivery history review
By choosing an experienced agency with vetted surrogates, you protect yourself from unnecessary heartbreak and accelerate your path toward a successful outcome.
How American Surrogacy Supports Intended Parents with MTHFR
At American Surrogacy, we often work with intended parents who have experienced MTHFR and IVF failure—many of whom have endured years of testing, supplements and cycle after cycle of disappointment.
Whether your clinic suspects MTHFR implantation failure or you’re simply seeking more predictable outcomes, our agency can help.
We offer emotional and logistical support and match you with compassionate, prescreened surrogates who meet rigorous health standards. Your journey doesn’t have to end with failed IVF. We can help you begin a new chapter.
You’re Not Alone in This
Facing MTHFR and IVF failure can leave you feeling isolated, uncertain and emotionally worn down. But you are not alone and this diagnosis doesn’t have to define your fertility story.
Whether you’re still exploring treatment or ready to take the next step, our team is here to help you navigate every option with clarity, empathy, and expertise.
Ready to move forward? Let’s talk about how surrogacy could support your path to parenthood after MTHFR-related fertility challenges. Connect with a surrogacy specialist today.