Registered User
Hi Nurse86 welcome to BB!
There is a young lady couple on here who are from QLD who are currently expecting thier first. Hopefully she will pop in late and be able to give you some more information.
From my understanding, I think you do need to travel interstate but I could be wrong.
Hope your journey TTC is a short one!
Registered User
Thanks for your msg. If you dont mind me asking, are you in a lesbian relationship? or did you concieve naturally? Thankyou for the advice, will look forward to talking to other young lesbian couples. P.S the photo of your baby is GORGEOUS!
Registered User
No to the first question, yes to the second.
Just thought I'd pop in and let you know that someone should be able to help you with all of your questions soon as there is someone that has been through the process!
Thanks hun I think he's pretty spunky too!
We conceived at home using fresh donor sperm. It took 6 months to get a sticky pregnancy and I am now 12 weeks pregnant.
If you want to conceive using reproductive technology this year, you will have to go interstate but the laws are going to change soon and you should be able to access IVF etc in Vic by next year.
Good Luck!
2013 BellyBelly RAK Recipient.
Hello
My partner and I are in Qld, so we aren't completely up to date with the Victorian laws, but we do understand your struggle. We were extremely lucky to find a clinic that had sperm donors available (considering the shortage). We got pregnant on the 4th go, using an unknown Australian donor and fertility treatment (IUI + Clomid).
At the moment single woman and lesbian couples are having to travel interstate or DIY, but the laws are changing in Victoria, so that you will soon be able to access fertility treatment (at the moment they cannot unless over a certain age or medically diagnosed with fertility issues *I think*). I'm not entirely sure when they come in, but I reckon you'd find a lot of info on google, or contact a clinic, as I'm sure they'd have some answers. But it won't be covered under Medicare unless you have a diagnosed medical reason that you need fertility treatment.
That's about it. Have you thought about known vs. unknown donors? Thats a huge decision you have to make, best to think about before you approach the clinics so you know what needs to be done (i.e. find a donor, choose a unknown donor, import sperm etc). That'll help when you choose a clinic as well as some clinics don't have an Australian sperm donor service, or have extremely long waiting lists, so you'll need to wait or import (and be prepared for the costs). Some clinics won't allow you to import sperm so you'll have to wait or find another clinic. If you have a known donor its a bit easier, and you can try DIY at home before approaching a clinic but you need to be aware of the legalities of it all, and make sure you three are all on the same wavelength with regards to parenting, access, birth certificate, names, roles in the childs life etc.
Registered User
Thanx for the reply Leasha, sorry this msg is a bit late. I think I would prefer DIY insemination at home, so I guess we will have to decide on known or anonymous doner. Does anyone know the success rate of DIY insemination?
Its quite confusing, all the legalities and the do's and dont's of fertility treatment and what same sex couples can access, its kinda doing my head in a bit.
How have other people concieved (or tried to) out there???
The other thing that concerns me, is are we too young? Am I just being "clucky" coz of the age Im at? I am 22 and my partner is 23, and we've been together for 3 yrs, but is that too young to be having a child together? I think my partner would ideally like to wait a few yrs, but I don't want to wait...
So I guess Im just venting a little bit.
How old are some of the couples out there ttc at the moment?
Registered User
Hey!
I'm not in Victoria, but just wanted to say that I'm only 20 years old and I'm currently on a waiting list at a clinic for donor sperm, so I don't think you're too young at all! If you are then I definately am! I have been wanting a child since I was 14, so that would have been too young, but I don't think there's anything wrong with us now!! If you have a solid relationship like that then go for it if it's what you both really want I think!
Jess
Hello nurse86,
If you are having doubts about whether you are the right age to have a baby maybe it would be a good idea to wait a few months and see if you feel the same then. The truth is there is no right or wrong age to have children, its just the right stage in your life that you need to consider.
Having a baby creates so many responsibilities and issues as well as positive experiences you will need to deal with. You only need to question yourselves as a couple whether you are ready to take that leap and do it because once you do there is no going back and changing your mind. Would you like to experience other things as a couple before a little one comes along? Just remember that you are still so young and have plenty of time to make this decision.
I am 29 and my partner is 37 so it has taken us a long while to take this step. I am happy that we experienced those times by ourselves but it would also be nice to do it as a family too it just changes the dynamics of things. We are now planning on ttc starting December with a known donor. You asked earlier if using a clinic or home insemination is more successful. Well fresh is always best but it depends on what you are planning to do. Many women fall pregnant in the first couple of cycles using home insemination but if there are fertility issues a clinic is the way to go. We will try home insemination first up and then if after about 4-5 cycles we are not successful we will seek assistance from a clinic. Everybody is different so it is up to you what you do. I have been reading a book i ordered called 'the ultimate guide to pregnancy for lesbians' by rachel pepper. Leasha put me onto it and its great. Very informative and realistic so I would suggest you take a look at it. I thought I knew a fair bit about the whole process but this just puts a whole new light onto it.
Well I hope that i've helped out a little and you get to make the right decision for yourselves. Let me know how you go,
Leanne
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