fertility centers / hormone stimulation

[beav]

Hello
we are new here, so a big hello to to you
we have some questions regarding medical help to coneive.
After trying to have a hub for about 8 months with natural remedies, we decided
(mainly because of our age, both early 40's) to seek medical advice.
Have you had any experience with SydneyIVF, IVF Australia or Fertility East (in Eastern subs of Sydney, Dr. Lukic)?
We had a consultation with Sydney IVF, they sound more expensive than the other centers.
Also, we thought before going straight into IVF to have hormonal stimulation instead with Pregon or GonalF. Has anyone experienced pregnancies with this kind of stimulation only?
Thank you very much for your answers,
it will help my spinning head with all these questions
beav

[Kaydee78]

Hi Beav,

If you're in Sydney and are still looking at options for a fertility centre, we're currently going through Westmead Fertility Centre, located as part of Westmead Hospital. They have a great website, really informative and are the cheapest around in Sydney for fertility treatment. The nurses there are wonderful, really supportive.

Best of luck on your ttc journey.

[beav]

thank you very much for this info. I am baffled about the difference with costs - australia ivf charges 12 ooo $ for one cycle, sydney ivf about 9000 $ (out of pocket). How can this difference be explained? (quality of treatment or facilities?) What made you decide to go with Westmead, and did you see other centers aswell?
westmead page is very informative, have you heard of this group called "access.org.au"? I wonder if it is of help to join them.
cheers beav

[Kaydee78]

Beav,
We were referred to see Dr Smith by our Gyno in Penrith. He knew we didn't have health insurance and that Westmead Fertility was the best place to go, cost wise. I haven't had any experience with the other places so I don't know about differences but the experiences I've had with Westmead Fertility Clinic have all been good.. the nurses are lovely, available to answer questions 7 days a week, careful montioring of all treatment and I haven't any complaints at all.
I'm currently in my tww after my first ivf embryo transfer last week. Upfront cost was $1450 that includes everything, nothing else to pay along the way. After visiting medicare (we'd already reached our threshold from previous fertility treatments earlier on in the year) we've received a refund of $1085... so we're out of pocket $365.
I only realised how lucky we were finiancially to be going through Westmead Fertility Clinic after joining BB and realising the $$ some other girls unfortunately have to pay at their clinic.
I've heard of access, but haven't joined. The nurses at the clinic recommend it but I have found talking to others on BB really helpful. Access is another type of support network.

[dusty]

Beav just moved your thread over here as you may get more replies.
Good luck!

[briggsy's girl]

hi beav

welcome to BB!

given your age, i would think it's unlikely that a FS would suggest ovulation induction with drugs or anything like that. the chances of success are reduced with use of OI as opposed to IVF, so i would think they'd want to have you moving forward to increase your chances of success. OI with IUI has minimally increased success over natural ovulation

talk it over with your FS - tell them of your concerns in moving forward to IVF, and get their honest opinion on chances of success. if one gives 5%, on 25%, i'd be leaning towards the latter to be honest

[beav]

that's great, than you! I wondered why so few are replying to such a complex topic ...
cheers beav

[beav]

Beav,
We were referred to see Dr Smith by our Gyno in Penrith. He knew we didn't have health insurance and that Westmead Fertility was the best place to go, cost wise. I haven't had any experience with the other places so I don't know about differences but the experiences I've had with Westmead Fertility Clinic have all been good.. the nurses are lovely, available to answer questions 7 days a week, careful montioring of all treatment and I haven't any complaints at all.
I'm currently in my tww after my first ivf embryo transfer last week. Upfront cost was $1450 that includes everything, nothing else to pay along the way. After visiting medicare (we'd already reached our threshold from previous fertility treatments earlier on in the year) we've received a refund of $1085... so we're out of pocket $365.
I only realised how lucky we were finiancially to be going through Westmead Fertility Clinic after joining BB and realising the $$ some other girls unfortunately have to pay at their clinic.
I've heard of access, but haven't joined. The nurses at the clinic recommend it but I have found talking to others on BB really helpful. Access is another type of support network.

I wish you all the best and keep fingers crossed for you! Tww meaning two waiting weeks? (sorry, I am still new with all the abbrev.'s, is there an index for them?)
I have searched a little here at BB, some comments sound brilliant about WFC and others are more critical. I will def. call them and hope they give general info. My disheartening experience is that I ring IVFs up and they want consultation app. straight awazy (to see a doctor is always about 300 $). BB is great to find out a lot! I guess for Medicare patients this is not so crucial.
Cheers Beav