Hi mums!
I'm seeking advise and a point in the right direction for answers.
It will be long so thank-you for sticking with me if you do.
My partner and I have a beautiful child together. Before she was born we found out my partner had testicular cancer. Surgery was preformed and the cancer as well as his testicle was removed. Before surgery he donated sperm. At the time we were happy and content with the one miracle child we were about to have. However the doctors insisted we still bank some in case. After surgery he started chemotherapy. Now he is finished chemo and is under surveillance. We haven't had a fertility check.
But I've been looking into IVF. And I already feel like an awful person. My partner and I discussed it and said we were perfectly happy with one but ever since I've had our bub I can't help but feel overwhelming sadness that I will never get to do any of this again. This is my first and last. For everything.
I don't even know what IVF I would need to go through, would it be normal IVF or IUI?
I don't even know why I'm looking into it, we cannot afford it. And after the year of free sperm freezing it becomes 500$ or something per every six months to keep the sperm. Also something we can't afford.
We are only young but I feel like this is it.
I guess I am looking for advise for mums who have been through the same or similar situations or mums who know a lot about IVF.
9 Replies
Personally I'd go with IVF and not IUI. IVF you can collect many eggs and have them all fertilised at the same time and the embryos that form can then all be used at one time or another. It does cost quite a bit to get it done but if you have private health insurance and Medicare then your out of pocket costs will not be so much. I had IVF done this year and am currently 20 weeks pregnant after my first try. It works differently for everyone though. Your best bet is to talk to an IVF clinic about it.
I'd look into private health insurance as after the 12 month waiting period most of the time you're covered for IVF - I know Medibank I was covered for it :)
I'd also think very seriously about your choices as they will always put two or three healthy fertilised eggs in just to increase chances of success .. so the likelihood of twins or triplets is drastically increased - are you going to be okay with this and will you cope financially?
Good luck!
They will only transfer 1 healthy embryo unless you have had multiple transfers or over a certain age
At 23 I was offered 3 healthy embryos on my first transfer.
I guess it would depend on the cause of your infertility. I was unexplained infertility and wanted 2 transferred but they would only transfer 1 and I was 32 years old.
Have you thought about adoption or fostering? There are so much unloved, unwanted children out there.
Best of luck x
I would get a referral to a Fertility Specialist. They will be able to give you more answers. There are also cheaper bulk billed IVF clinics with little out of pocket expenses without needing Private Health
Im currently going through IVF and I would go with this option as IUI has lower sucess rates. There are many support groups on Facebook for the state you live in. I have had all my questions answered. I would also book an initial consult with a fertility specialist and see what they say what process you would need to go through as each case is different.
IVF doesn't cost the tens of thousands that people say it does. It does cost approx $500 per year to keep his sperm frozen. If it is already frozen you would of probably be better off going down the ivf road at the beginning and you can access your superannuation to pay for ivf. I would go and see a fertility specialist and discuss your options. A consultation is about $150 and you get around $70 back with Medicare.