Where to Start on Your IVF Journey?

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We will support you with information you need to help you make right decisions.

Information

Trying to Conceive

I want to get pregnant. When is the best time to have sex?

You can track you ovulation cycle using an ovulation calculator through the Your Fertility website.

We’ve been trying to get pregnant for a while. When should we get help?

It may be time to see a GP if you have been trying to conceive without success for over a year and you are under 35 years old, or for women aged 35 years or older, if you have been trying to conceive for over 6 months. They will be able to discuss options and refer you to a fertility specialist if necessary.

When does my fertility start to decrease?

For women, fertility starts to decline around age 30 and from age 35 the decline speeds up. Men’s fertility starts to decline from age 40. Regardless if you are conceiving naturally or undergoing fertility treatment, women younger than 35 and men younger than 40 have a better chance of conceiving a child than those who are older.

Information

Health Conditions & Fertility

Where can I find more information about men’s health and fertility?

The Healthy Male website provides the latest scientific and medical research on male reproductive and sexual health.
The Your Fertility website provides facts about fertility, so that you can make the best possible decisions about having children.
You can also make an appointment with your GP to speak about preconception health and trying for a baby.

I have Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), can I still have a baby?

Yes! While it may be more difficult, women with PCOS often take longer to fall pregnant and are more likely to need treatment, you can still have a baby. If you are thinking about pregnancy and having a baby, speak to your Doctor to discuss your options.

I have endometriosis, can I still have a baby?

About 30 per cent of women diagnosed with endometriosis have trouble getting pregnant. However, most women with endometriosis become pregnant without the need for treatment. You can find out more about endometriosis and fertility here.

Information

Choosing a Clinic & Treatment

What should I think about when choosing a fertility specialist and clinic?

Fertility treatment is physically and emotionally demanding, and depending on your needs, it can be expensive, so it’s important to find a clinic and doctor that’s right for you. You can ask your GP for advice about choosing a fertility specialist, but you can also do your own research before committing to a doctor and clinic.
Clinic websites will often have a page introducing their specialists, where you can read more about them.

What questions should I ask my specialist when considering IVF?

It’s important to understand the process of IVF, treatment options and success rates. Here are some questions to ask to help you get a realistic idea of your chances of having a baby.
○ Considering your circumstances and medical history, what are your chances of having a baby through IVF?
○ What are the IVF and other fertility treatment options?
○ What is the clinic’s chance of a livebirth per started stimulated treatment cycle?
○ What is the clinic’s chance of a livebirth for women of your age?
○ What proportion of women in your age-group have embryos available for freezing after a stimulated treatment cycle?
○ What is the cumulative chance of having a baby for a woman of your age if she has three stimulated treatment cycles?
You can read more about Understanding IVF Success Rates here.

Where can I find out more about my fertility treatment options?

It’s helpful to know your options so you can make well-informed decisions. Talk to your fertility specialist and nurses about what to expect as part of your treatment and for resources about your treatment.

Information

IVF & Treatment Outcomes

Does IVF affect the long term health of babies?

While babies born after fertility treatment are more likely to be born prematurely, weigh less, and have a slightly greater risk of birth defects, by the time they become adults, research has shown that they are just healthy as other people. You can read more here.

I’m anxious about starting fertility treatment. Is this normal?

What are some alternative options to biological parenthood?

Although most people’s first priority is to be the genetic parent, this may not be possible. There are a number of alternative options:
○ Donor treatment.
○ Fostering, adoption and permanent care.
Volunteering within your community with organisations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia, or sporting communities.

Information

Costs & Insurance

Are all treatments Medicare eligible or are some excluded? (Same-sex male surrogacy arrangements are Medicare ineligible)

All treatment plans created under medical infertility are eligible for Medicare rebates.
Cycles that are not eligible include:
- Surrogacy arrangements – this particularly affects same-sex biologically male couples in which neither partner produce eggs or have a uterus.
- If you do not have Medicare

I have private health insurance – are there any benefits?

This will depend on the level of coverage your private health insurance policy offers. Typically, only high-tier policies cover a portion of your treatment costs and this is usually limited to in-patient item numbers (usually, your egg collection procedure and embryo transfer procedure). For more accurate information, it is best to speak to both your health insurance and your clinic.

DISCLAIMER: We are a fully volunteer-run organisation. If you find any information on this website you believe is incorrect or needs updating, please let us know at hello@artfam.com.au.

Acknowledgement of Country

ARTFam & ASMBC acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live, work, and build our families. We pay our respects to the Elders past and present, and we honour the strength, knowledge, and enduring connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to family, community, culture and Country.

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