Just been told to see IVF Clinic

Hi

I'm Tam, I've been in the TTC after M/C thread, however today I had an appointment with the OB/GYN and have now been told that we need to see the IVF Specialist. This is all new to me, and unsure of what it all is that is installed for me.

We have been given the name of a specialist at Monash, so I am calling for an appointment tomorrow.

We will do any thing to get the baby we have been trying so hard for however we are really scared about the cost, I know that sounds awful, it is not meant to be that way, it's just that we are already on the bread line with no money tree in the backyard.

So any advice that you gals can give me will be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Hi Tam
So sorry to hear your news re MC.

IVF is quite an involved process and the costs are directly related to what is causing your infertility. I believe Monash has an excellent internet site. One of the EXCELLENT nurses from my clinic has relocated to Monash, Tenielle is a wonderful and caring person => you will find alot of them in the IVF process.

The best place to start is probably do all the reading you can and make an appointment (taking a big list of questions to ask).

It is important to note that Medicare underwent a big change in March this year. So for example my low stim FET cost the following:
Clinic Costs $1080
Out of Pocket around $203 (after I took the clinic invoice to Medicare)

A big improvement in costs...

But in Feb 2003 I spent almost 10 times this at Sydney IVF doing PGD etc...

Best of luck

Hi Tam & Welcome. Dont feel bad about worrying about the cost of IVF it isnt cheap. A while ago we each put down details about our individual IVF costs in the November thread (also I think that there is one of the girls in here going through Monash - except not 100% sure).

If you check out those posts you can get a better idea about what you might expect. In particular look at page 7.


Hope it all works out for you and your stay in here is short and sweet.



Keen

Hey Tam,

Check out their website! They should have a listing of all there costs. Monash and Melbourne are pretty much the same pricewise. I go through Melb and my girlfriend uses Monash and we are forever comparing costs, it's pretty much 6 of one and half a dozen of the other!

Hayseed uses Monash but I'm not too sure that she has had a stim cycle there??

Also don't forget with all your medical bills including meds, dental etc.. once you are over the $1500.00 mark, for every dollar over this you can claim 20 cents back at the end of the financial year.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Please feel free to join us in the monthly chat thread!

Jo

Tam,

I agree with the others - check out the conversation in the Long term TTC November thread about costs. But don't be rocked! You do get a lot back on medicare, and for your first IVF attempt (and hopefully your last!), you will prbably not have to have a range of "extras" like ICSI, embryo biopsy, and the like. So the costs that some of us have quote included these costs, so a straight stim cycle will be less.

Who have you been referred to at Monash? I am with Monash now, but as Jo said, I haven't done a stim cycle with them yet. I have done all my IVF through Freemasons, but changed clinics when we weren't getting any success. Now I'm at Monash, I'm falling pg easily enough (which is why you do IVF), but can't seem to keep the pg going (although fingers crossed for this current one). But I am under one of the IVF drs at Monash to get me through.

Best wishes Tam. It can be a worrisome time, but please know that there are plenty of us in here that have been through it or going through it and will always be here to talk to.

You're not alone.

Hayseed

Hayseed

I was hoping that you would reply, knowing that you have been to Monash, as the other girls have said. I an seeing Dr Bruce Downing, do you know him?????

Hmmm, Bruce Downing. No, I don't know him, but I haven;t seen any of the other drs at Monash. I am under Nick Lolatgis. But they all work together and share info, so I assume you would get similar care under all of them.

BTW, the conversation about costs starts on page 7 of the November thread.

Hayseed

Thanks heaps Hayseed

Well I have made my appointment with Monash IVF for 8th Dec so at least I get to get in sooner than I thought I would. It would be nice to get some answers before xmas.

I'm glad you could get an appt so soon. It is always nice to be able to get the ball rolling ASAP when you know that you have to start some sort of assisted reproduction.

Keep us posted Tam.

Hayseed

OOh Tam you were lucky to get in so quickly. Once the ball gets rolling in IVF it goes pretty quickly... at least that is their intention, I think.

Make sure you ask them everysingle question you can think of! And all the best with your appt.


Keen

Tam, there a number of questions that can be asked but if you want help there are a number of sites with lists!!!

Good luck Tam :luck:

Thanks to everyone for your advice. I am getting more excited as the days of shock pass, with the upcoming IVF travel. I am glad that I was able to get in so early. Thanks again to all :D

Good luck with your appt Tam.

Jo

Hi, I'm Isabelle and am new this forum. I read Tam's questions on Monash IVF/Bruce Downing and felt I had to reply. I have nothing but good things to say about Monash IVF, the doctors and especially Bruce. I have been his patient for about 6 years. I came to him after a very expensive, painful and traumatic IVF experience in Sydney. He is a methodical, caring and extremely patient person (putting up with my stupid questions and crazy theories on why things aren't working for me).
It is was due to him and the clinicians at Monash IVF that we are now parents of a 3.5 yr old boy and a 20mth girl. It was a dream come true as all odds were against us - his & her infertility, age factor, etc.

Good luck and success to all! Perseverance and an optimistic approach will get you there eventually.

javascript:emoticon(':D')
Issy

Hi Isabelle and welcome to BB.

I hope you don't mind me sticky-beaking, but how long (and how many goes) did it take you to fall pg? DH and I are coming up to our 5th attempt with ARTs and are starting to feel a llittle pessimistic.

I'm always amazed by the strength of human spirit. There is a lady among us who is going for a 11th attempt for TTC #2, after falling pg after 3 goes when TTC #1. I wonder if I'm going to be able to keep going if I don't have success soon.

love
sushee

Hey Issy, welcome to BB :)

Thks for welcoming me to BB.
Sushee, I finally fell pregnant on the 8th stim. cycle. I've since lost count of how many transfers both fresh and frozen I had before that (probably 8 fresh transfer & about 21 frozen transfers? - not too sure). I was very lucky to fall pregnant again on the 9th stim. cycle.

I do admit that I was starting to panic after so many attempts and no results. The technology is there to help us but a positive outlook and confidence in yourself that you can do it and have a baby in your arms at the end of all this helps a lot. So, take very good care of yourself both in body and mind.

Isabelle
xx

Thanks so much for answering my question, Issy. I will take comfort in what you've said and will keep positive, esp with this cycle.

love
sushee

Hi Issabelle

So you fell pg on the fresh transfers?

Welcome to BellyBelly, Issy!

Angel.

Hi,
Happy New Year to one and all!
Yes, I did fell pg on fresh transfers. Somehow FET never worked for me - maybe because my cycles are unpredictable and I stressed over them.

Issy.