A couple of responses have mentioned money and the cost of doing IVF. This is also a very inmportant area for a number of couples embarking, as constrained finances can add to the stress of the whole thing.

When DH proposed to me, I immediately set up a saver account into which I put $250/fn. This money was to pay for the wedding (I am an only child and have no dad; I was also on a bigger wage than my mum, so hence I paid for my wedding) and never withdrew any money until I had actaul wedidng expenses. (Stay with me on this....)

After the wedding, I didn't stop the direct payments from work going into this account and DH and I started using this account as a baby saving account - you know, to buy baby items when we got pg. Well, as you all know, that didn't happen as planned and that money was then used for IVF treatments. And I was working full time whilst going through IVF, so this account was continually paid into every fortnight.

Because of this savings process, money was not a limiting factor in our IVF journey. And I really feel for those couples who face only being able to complete 1 or 2 cycles because of finances. Indirectly, we were prepared financially for IVF without even knowing it. I don;t mean to rub this in the face of those of you of which money is an issue, but I am trying to say that if you don;t have spare resources of money available, it becomes another stress on top of an already confusing, stressful, upsetting time.

I guess that some couples, regardless of the expense, will continue with IVF even when they cannot afford it. But how many of you were counselled about the costs and the impacts that this area can have on an already stressful situation? I wasn't and I think it should have been bought up by someone in the system.

When asked, I tell people honestly about the costs - including all the 'hidden' costs such as extra drugs, travelling costs, accommodation costs (if you have to stay overnight near the clinic), costs not covered by Medicare, excess from the hospital etc etc.

More food for thought....

Hayseed