How long is the wait to start IVF?

[Mildez]

Once decided by the Gyno that IVF is the only way for conception to occur how long does it usually take to get the ball rolling?
After having an ectopic pregnancy resulting in the loss of my tube the lap showed damage to my other tube and until our dye scan we are not sure if my remaining tube is ok on the inside. Its a bit wonky on the outside apparently. We are not wanting to ttc again until we know if its blocked or not but are wondering if it is how long is the wait to start IVF? We have private health insurance but it doesn't cover fertility assistance.

[butterfly_warrior]

It pretty much depends on the clinic. We found that we could start pretty much straight away after the IVF clinic did their own tests. There was a delay with Christmas in between our first and second appointments and it was only due to some bad test results for me that we didn't start at that second appointment and had to wait four weeks while we worked to improve things.

BW

[Muppity]

Hi Emmy

Don't worry about your private insurance - in the end it won't make a huge amount of difference - I have top cover and I think I got about $400 back from my last stimulation cycle. Once you look at the other out of pockets it won't make much difference.

In relation to your question about timeframes - it really depends on your specialist. Most like to have had some tests done before they start - specially a sperm test - the last thing that they want is to get to the day of pickup and get a surprise with the swimmers. And after they have these results depending on the regime they choose you will have a pickup at least 6 weeks later, depending on where you are in your cycle at the time. It also depends on where you are - some regional clinics like to have all their patients cycle the same week but if you are in the city then that isn't an issue.

I suppose realistically, I think that you should expect to be able to get one cycle in before Christmas if you wanted to - if that gives you a timeframe to work to.

Good luck with your next appointment

[Mildez]

Thank you for your replies. I am on a three month R&R post complications from my EP surgery and my Gyno wont touch me until then. He is reluctant to do it then due to issues I have with anethetic but the dye studies is only offered under a GA here unless I travel 500kms to have it under XRay. I would like to but Ill wait and let my body recover first. I just didn't know how long I can then expect to wait to start some assisted conception if the dye studies confirms what we all expect. We have had all tests from our Gyno except the dye studies and we are confident my m/c's and EP is due to my tubes (now tube)
That is good to know that being public or private will make little difference and that once/if it is confirmed we need to go down that path to have another child we are not on a ridiculous waiting list.
Thank you so much for your replies.

[juniper76]

Emmy83, I would have thought your insurance would kick in for your in-hospital expenses (assuming you have hospital cover, not just extras)? Mine doesn't specifically cover fertility treatments, but it covers the in-hospital part of the IVF cycle. When I got my statement of benefits after end of financial year I was quite surprised just how much it had paid for us without us even seeing a bill.

[Mildez]

Maybe it. I haven't done my enquires yet as I am waiting on news of my remaining tube. It was more for tax reasons I have it but now looks like Ill be using it. I am going to upgrade to extras I think.

[redlady]

hi,

Different clinics have different waiting times. I unfortunately have to use Donor sperm my DH isnt viable. Our first clinic had a 12 month to 18 month waiting list. The new clinic we have found has no waiting list.

We are going for our first appointment this friday so hopefully we can get started october or novemeber.

I wish you all the best!!

Redlady

[Mildez]

Thanks Redlady. My DH has low motility good everything else but he has got me pregnant 3times in 13months so think they must be ok. Its my dodgy tubes (now tube) that is preventing us from having another bubba. Do you know if the HSG (I think thats what its called) helps unblock them or cleans them alittle? I'd love not to need IVF but I and our Gyno think thats what will need to get the emby in the right spot. So I am waiting for confirmation my remaining tube is also no good and then we can head down that track. I feel like I have being waiting so long and there is still so much more waiting but I am now at the stage where I accept that (after many tears and tantrums) and have hope that either way eventually we will have another child.

[butterfly_warrior]

Emmy, it is possible for dye studies to clear out a blocked tube, but I wouldn't necessarily rely on it happening.

I forgot to mention before that our PHI doesn't cover assisted conception, but it wasn't an issue for us. Medicare covers the majority of your cycle expenses, apart from the hospital stuff for EPU - PHI still covered some of this, but not all of it. Despite going through some pretty intense IVF treatment over 18 months we didn't think it worth the expense of upgrading to a higher cover, now worth the waiting periods we may have had to serve to get cover for assisted conception.

BW

[Mildez]

Thanks BW I thought the dye studies helped clean the tubes abit but I did hear once they have stuck together (or had junk in them) they are likely to go back the same way shortly after the dye studies anyway. Obviously we would like not to need assistance but after 12months of losses and knowing why now we don't want to waste another year in the hope we get UTD and its in the uterus. My fear is being in the same position in 12-18months time which emotionally I don't think I could handle. In saying this I also know IVF is no guarantee of a baby but it does give us hope. Thanks so much for your replies.