IVF~Proof of identity

[AngelPunks]

We've got all the paperwork to bring in when we start, there is a lot on what will be done if one partner dies, or if we break up etc - they (Wesley IVF - Brisbane) went through it in intricate detail when we had our 2nd clinic appointment. We had to hand over all our ID stuff when we went to see the FS, then again when we saw the clinic. We have basically been told that from the moment we start we'll have the same nurses to deal with throughout the process to give us some comfort.

But then again we're starting this time next year, so I think we'll have to go through all the paperwork again.

[butterfly_warrior]

I vaguely recall us having to have drivers licenses and things photocopied at our first appointment, but didn't really pay much attention to it.

The whole ID thing is something that really freaked me out - our clinic has the habit of calling couples by the female's first name only. I don't exactly have a common name, but three times I've had someone else stand when it was called. Twice it was the same other person.

The most panic-inducing moment when this happened was when we were there for transfer. The other couple were much closer to the desk than we were and actually got taken through to the transfer waiting area. We approached the desk with me freaking out about my embryo being put back into the wrong woman... was not a nice feeling!

Eventually we got them out and us in, and the embryologist came out and asked us for our DOB, etc. It wasn't a case of her asking if such and such a date was our DOB, we had to give her the information. There were more checks than DOB, but that's the only one I recall. We were shown our name on our embryo's petri dish (?) through the microscope, so there were thorough checks along the way the whole time.

We'd only ever met our embryologist once before - briefly at EPU when she again checked all my ID details before it all happened (I recall the anaesthetist, the FS and one of the hospital nurses all doing the same, as well), I really don't think there was any way someone would have got through without them being us. There was simply too much that we had to know, and I suspect any hesitation in answering would cue them in to start wondering.

When it comes to the question of what to do if one partner dies - it was part of the fine print on one of the forms we signed - the assisted reproductive technology agreement. The relevant portion of the document:

If one partner dies, the disposition of cryopreserved embryos will be at the discretion of the remaining partner.
If both partners die, our cryopreserved embryos will be discarded, subject to existing legal and ethical guidelines.
If our relationship is terminated or if we are unable to make a joint decision, the disposition of our cryopreserved embryos will be determined by the court having jurisdiction over our cryopreserved embryos. We agree that we will notify NextGen Fertility upon the possible dissolution of our relationship

I suspect that there would be such details in papers that others have signed, also. Our agreement is valid for two years from the date of signing. I guess we'd have to sign another when that period is up in order to continue with fertility treatment.

BW