I need to know everything!...

... about IVF.

We have been TTC for 15 months now (which I'm not sure if it counts as long term or IVF needed...sure feels long term though!), but DF and I don't have any problems that we know of. I ovulate every month (that I've had checked anyway) and we have been told that DF's sperm is "good enough to get me pregnant".

I am getting married on Thursday, turn 25 this year and I just don't want to wait anymore! We are moving down to Sydney temporarily and we figured it would be a good time to look into IVF (we would have to travel VERY far to do IVF where we live).
DF's mum is going through IVF in Sydney (not sure where though) and she said it only costs $1400, then gets about $700 back. That doesn't sound right to me, but I don't think she would lie about it?

I guess what I'm getting at is...

1. If it only really costs that much where she goes, what would we have to do first? Like, do we have to make an appointment to see someone and will they get us to do all these tests that we have already done before that only takes MORE time? lol

2. I guess we would have to ask, but maybe someone will know...how long would we have to wait to start a cycle?

3. From what I have heard, they make you go on the pill first? What if I ovulate on my own every month and my hormones are always 'normal'?


I don't know...I just don't know anymore. I'm just REALLY sick of trying and just want it to happen already! I've waited long enough!

I'm sorry if my post is insensitive to anyone, I'm just having a bad day :(


Thanks!

Hi Disney Baby

Im sorry the TTC journey isnt being very kind to you yet :hug: I will do my best to answer what I can....

We were in the boat of unexplained infertility and went through a similar clinic.

1. If it only really costs that much where she goes, what would we have to do first? Like, do we have to make an appointment to see someone and will they get us to do all these tests that we have already done before that only takes MORE time?
I hate to say it but Im gonna ask is DFs mum doing IVF or perhaps something like IUI??? Cause that figure doesnt marry up to any IVF bill we ever got. We started in 2004 and a full IVF cycle then was around $4000- $4500 at that clinic. To see a fertility specialist you will need a referral from your GP and yeah, theyre most likely going to run a few tests so they can get results from their own source iykwim.

2. I guess we would have to ask, but maybe someone will know...how long would we have to wait to start a cycle?
We were able to start as soon as we were ready after the tests were complete. IE. ultrasound, laporoscopy, sperm analysis, bloods etc

3. From what I have heard, they make you go on the pill first? What if I ovulate on my own every month and my hormones are always 'normal'?
My clinic uses the 'pill' protocol and is just how they do it. I ovulate and had hormones all within normal range.

15 months of TTC is well within the spectrum of starting to seek answers. Heres hoping you get some great answers and results soon :hug:

Disney Baby,

I went through Westmead Fertility Clinic, attached to Westmead Hospital. If you google them and get their number. Give them a call and they can send you out an information package which will outline costs. Our cost for a full cycle was much cheaper than anywhere else I heard of.

You will need to get a referral to an IVF clinic from your GP or ob. We had already had all of the tests completed before getting to see the fertility specialist and were able to move straight into a round of IUI on my next cycle. We completed 3 rounds of IUI before moving onto IVF where we had success.

Best of luck for your wedding on Thursday!

Hi Disney Baby,

Its all a big unknown when you start to go down the IVF path, but I'd suggest looking at a few of the Sydney IVF clinics websites as generally they have a wealth of info (including prices)

The cycle you mention is very cheap - do they perhaps have frozen embryos that they are cycling with? Generally these days most clinics costs are around $4-5000 out of pocket per cycle

Whether of not you have to use the pill will really depend on what they determine the fertility issue to be, so that's really not a defininte

Generally, once you have gone through the preliminary clinical and any other test, you are good to go straight away (and you'll be wanting AF to arrive asap so you can get started)

Lots of Fertility Clinics have info nights too, so perhaps check that out

Good luck to you, hope you are successful with your journey and on the road to parenthood soon

Thanks for the replies :)

Well it was actually DF who she was telling all of this to (on the phone), so this is just what I've heard through the grapevine so to speak.
He said that his mum said that you need to go in as an 'out patient' for it to be that cheap? I still don't get it though :doh: lol
Next time he speaks to her, I'll get him to ask for more details or contact numbers or something?

I was thinking of IUI, but the success rate isn't that good (that I have researched), and I just keep thinking that, if we can't pregnant on our own even with good ovulation and healthy sperm, what will IUI do for us? IYKWIM?

IUI pretty much just squirts good sperm into my cervix correct? Then it's up to them to decide if they want to join forces to make us a baby (which I can't see why it hasn't happened yet considering DF has good sperm and I ovulate)
Whereas IVF fertilizes the egg and then it's up to them to attach and keep us a baby...

I know IVF costs more, but I just think the chances are higher, and atleast we would have fertilised eggs, which is more then we have had in 15 months lol.



EDIT - I was just doing more research on IUI and found a site that said the cervical mucous can play a huge part in infertility, which would make sense because I have NEVER gotten EWCM in my life (that I can remember). Sometimes it will go sort of watery, but it is usually either the milky/lotion type or sticky. We usually use Preseed though to help with that, but obviously it isn't enough. So, maybe IUI is worth a shot for us?