14 replies to this topic

[Jojo79]

Hi Everyone! Last year, I made the decision to have a child. After being single for so long and hoping to find "Mr. Right", at age 37, I couldn't wait any longer. At first, I was supposed to do IUI but I found out that both of my tubes are blocked. So, IVF it is. I've been doing as much research as I can with regards to the procedure but there is one thing I cannot find a definite answer to and that's the cost. I live in Ontario and I know it's cover but exactly how much is covered? I'm hoping that if any of you who lives in Ontario and has been through this can give me some insight. Also, is anyone looking for an IVF buddy? I'm supposed to start treatment in April. 

[cakeforbreakfast]

IVF is covered in Ontario, you have to talk to your clinic to see if they are part of the program, not all are, and if so what is the wait list. Most places have a limited amount of slots to work with and the spots are covered.
I'm was put on a list last June and my approximate time for receiving funded service will be in October. For now we chose to pay out of pocket and keep our name on the list in case our first on doesn't work.
Also, medications aren't covered by the provincial plan so that will be either out of pocket or through your private insurer. They are a mighty cost depending on the person, for us it'll be 6-8 grand in drugs.

[Renae]

Hi Everyone! Last year, I made the decision to have a child. After being single for so long and hoping to find "Mr. Right", at age 37, I couldn't wait any longer. At first, I was supposed to do IUI but I found out that both of my tubes are blocked. So, IVF it is. I've been doing as much research as I can with regards to the procedure but there is one thing I cannot find a definite answer to and that's the cost. I live in Ontario and I know it's cover but exactly how much is covered? I'm hoping that if any of you who lives in Ontario and has been through this can give me some insight. Also, is anyone looking for an IVF buddy? I'm supposed to start treatment in April. 

You can start new at any clinic. I go to Create. You would prob be able to get in within 2-3 months And everything is covered except storage for the year $500 and meds. If you have any ?? just PM me. I have a son from my first IVF and im now doing IVF for a sibling. Dr.Librach at Create is amazing 

[PitterPatter]

Jojo79 - Welcome! Here's what I've discovered over the last 1.5 years. There will never be a definite cost, even for you. I've done a few cycles now and every time the cost varies (usually not by too much). If you wait for a funded cycle (may take a while especially at some clinics) you save the IVF fee that is charged (somewhere between $6,00-8,500 usually).

I did my funded cycle last April and it cost us $5,100. That covered; storage, drugs (expensive because I happen to be on high doses). If you don't require high doses it could be significantly cheaper. I chose to pay for a cycle in February of last year because I din't want to wait, when I was going for my second cycle I actually moved up the list for the funded cycle because of my DOR diagnosis and the failed cycle (so I took that opportunity in April).

If you're still looking for a buddy - I've been around the block - 2 cancellations, 1 FET and just about to complete my 3rd retrieval. 

Best wishes to you on this journey.

[Brat66]

I'm over 45 so IVF is not covered for me in Ontario despite learning that I have two blocked tubes.
By a miracle I have a 32-year-old egg donor.
Here are the costs so far for IVF with doner egg and husband's sperm,
$11,500 IVF procedure including egg retrieval and transfer
$6,000 medicine for the donor and myself
This resulted in only two useable eggs so there were no additional freezing costs.
Currently I'm in my two week wait post transfer with fingers crossed hoping for the best .
I hope this information is useful for you .
Best of luck to you and happy baby making .
( edited for spelling

[christe98]

Jojo79- Me and you have the same story!! That is amazing. I am almost 2 years out of a divorce. One blocked tube and the other is what I call "Sad". . I had fibroid removed in 2012 and then again in September 2016. I started my IVF journey in August 2016. Since I am single, I decided to use donor sperm. This whole process has been so smooth (other than the financial part). My doctor's office is amazing. I had 23 eggs retrieved in December 2016, 16 fertilized and 10 frozen. I had my transfer February 9th. I am currently almost 5 weeks pregnant. I got my BFP on February 16th at 4 am.

 

So far I've paid over $15K out of pocket. Insurance didn't cover anything. Oh well. I'm just glad I'm able to have my dream.

 

Christe R

[Jojo79]

Jojo79- Me and you have the same story!! That is amazing. I am almost 2 years out of a divorce. One blocked tube and the other is what I call "Sad". . I had fibroid removed in 2012 and then again in September 2016. I started my IVF journey in August 2016. Since I am single, I decided to use donor sperm. This whole process has been so smooth (other than the financial part). My doctor's office is amazing. I had 23 eggs retrieved in December 2016, 16 fertilized and 10 frozen. I had my transfer February 9th. I am currently almost 5 weeks pregnant. I got my BFP on February 16th at 4 am.

 

So far I've paid over $15K out of pocket. Insurance didn't cover anything. Oh well. I'm just glad I'm able to have my dream.

 

Christe R

 

That's amazing!! Congratulations on your pregnancy. Thank you for your input, I'm trying to figure out how many cycles I can afford. I'm praying the funded one will work. Fingers crossed!

[Jojo79]

Jojo79 - Welcome! Here's what I've discovered over the last 1.5 years. There will never be a definite cost, even for you. I've done a few cycles now and every time the cost varies (usually not by too much). If you wait for a funded cycle (may take a while especially at some clinics) you save the IVF fee that is charged (somewhere between $6,00-8,500 usually).

I did my funded cycle last April and it cost us $5,100. That covered; storage, drugs (expensive because I happen to be on high doses). If you don't require high doses it could be significantly cheaper. I chose to pay for a cycle in February of last year because I din't want to wait, when I was going for my second cycle I actually moved up the list for the funded cycle because of my DOR diagnosis and the failed cycle (so I took that opportunity in April).

If you're still looking for a buddy - I've been around the block - 2 cancellations, 1 FET and just about to complete my 3rd retrieval. 

Best wishes to you on this journey.

Hi PitterPatter, I would still love to have a buddy. I had to push my ivf back though. I start a new job tomorrow and I pushed it back to June. PM me if you're still interested.  

[Jojo79]

Thank you all for your input on my first question. Things have been changing since my last post. I start a new job tomorrow, so I called the clinic to bump me down the list a bit. Also, a former boyfriend (we decided to remain friends) offered to be the donor. Now I have a new question. Is there anyone who has gone through IVF with a known donor or is going through it right now? I would love to know what your experiences with that has been. 

[Hopefull1978]

Hi there, just registered for my first cycle of ivf . Im 39 years old and frightened and excited at the same time. Frightened because of the success rate. Are there Any success stories for people my age, also if so how many embryo transfers did you do? Any advice would be greatly appreciated 😊

[Hopefull1978]

I was Also hoping to hear what the sedation feels like when they retrieve your eggs. Do you feel them retrieving the eggs and will I be aware of what's going on. Just starting this and have had no one to talk to who's already gone or going through this. Glad to have found this site

[Lori78]

Hi Hopeful. I went through my first egg retrieval in january. For months leading up to the egg retrieval I was so scared - I didn't know if it would hurt during the procedure and after. I made the mistake of googling retrievals, that didn't help the nerves at all. In the end it wasn't bad at all. I was awake for the procedure - the first puncture felt like a pinch, I told the doctor that it pinched a little and they gave me some more drugs and I didn't feel the next puncture! I was cognizant of what was going on the whole time although the drugs did make me a little dopey. After the retrieval and once the pain medication wore off it felt like I had done a good ab workout. It wasn't painful just uncomfortbale. I took an extra strength Tylenol on day two and I should have taken the Tylenol on day one - it took the good ab workout feel away! I'm on my second IVF with the egg retrival in May and I'm not nervous at all. I know it's not as scary or painful as my mind made it out to be. That was my experience - everyone is different. I found the transfer to be the worst part.....having to have a full bladder was not fun! I was so scared I was going to pee on the doctor!

[Lizzy39]

Hi hopeful,
I've been through this procedure twice. The first time at 35 with my daughter and the second time last October at 39. I was successful with both procedures and am expecting another girl due July 4.
I was very nervous for both of my procedures but it goes very quickly. Most people don't find it bad at all. My first procedure was very painful I won't lie, so I was scared for the second and the second ended up being fine. I was surprised at how little it hurt. Don't worry about that part. The worst part of the whole experience is waiting to hear the results. They usually call daily with an update on your embryos and I found that very stressful. I would suggest keeping yourself very busy for the 3-5 days following retrieval.
Also your response in terms of eggs is so hard to predict if it's your first time. The doctors are guessing on dosages. Don't stress too much about your age...my embryo quality the second time at 39 was better than at 35 because the doctor told me she could tailor the protocol for me better because I had done it before and she was right. I had two day 3 embryos transferred the first time (grade 4 8 cell) and one day 5 4AB blast this last time. I had 3 more embryos make it to blast that are still frozen. The first time I had 4 day 3 embryos frozen but they weren't great quality and didn't survive thawing. This time all of my embryos on day 3 were 8 cell grade 4 so remember its about your response not just about age. I had 7 mature eggs the second time all fertilized and 4 made it to blast. And remember one good one is all you need! Stay positive and best of luck.

[Marianne681]

Hi all! I start my retrieval this month too! Won't be doing FET until June though. Anyone in my shoes?

[Faith2017]

I am in the US but my clinic uses propofol and fentanyl. You are totally out and don't feel anything.