IVF Abroad anyone?

Hi,

After going thru all test and a surgery to unblock one of my tubes, I was recommended IVF. The Dr. Gave me an estimated cost of $15K plus $5 k for genetic testing. And I'm asuming med are not included.
We definetly can't afford that amount, as much as we want to have a baby.
So we decided to look for an option abroad. I had to travel back home to the DR for a family matter, I consulted a clinic over there and the cost is considerably more affordable.
Now I need to coordinate everything from here and have some exams done.
Have anyone gone thru this?
Will I be able to find a Dr. willing to do exams and prescribe any medication needed here if they are not going to get paid for the IVF?

Any kind of experience going abroad will be helpful and appreciated.

Thanks.

Re: IVF Abroad anyone?

I imagine you can do your pre-testing here, but you'll have to pay for it, which is really expensive, if your insurance doesn't cover it. However, if you have been recommended IVF already, I assume you've already done a lot of the testing. I'm not really clear on your situation.

But I doubt any dr will prescribe you medicine here if they aren't doing the IVF. IVF requires a lot of monitoring (daily sometimes) while you are stimming. And meds are being adjusted constantly. You'd have to be in the DR during your entire cycle.

IVF Abroad anyone?

thanks for your reply NYCGirl80
I have in deed done all the testing here wich was covered by my insurance (my insurance does not cover IVF). I will have to repeat them bc they told me they need more recent ones (i had them done on January)
I'm more concern about the time that I will have to be away because I work full time and not getting paid for 6 weeks will also add to the cost.

IVF Abroad anyone?

You will most likely not need to take off 6 weeks. After the initial monitoring, egg retrieval, and transfer (~3 weeks), you can just do the follow up bloodwork (progesterone, beta) at quest or lab corp and a sonogram at your regular Obgyn or any imaging place as long as you have a script.

ETA: My successful IVF cycle had me traveling 3 hours to get to my RE. Luckily, I am a teacher and it was during the summer. After the ET, I went back home and had my progesterone tested at a local place. I then went back down for my 2 betas (b/c I had a baby shower to attend in the area), but that could have easily been done locally as well. I had my 6 week sono/bloodwork done locally, 7 week sonogram/BW done at my RE, and my 8 week sono/BW done locally.

Message edited 8/12/2014 4:43:48 PM.

IVF Abroad anyone?

I have a commuter marriage. DH is in NC and I'm in NY. We're working on that, but it is what is for now. Our RE is in NC, since I can telecommute. So far, they way we've worked it is that I go down there for the baseline sono. I then go back to NY and start the stims and go back to NC before my first monitoring appointment. Then, I stay in NC for the rest of the cycle.

My OB/GYN in NY is aware of the situation. For my first cycle, I had to go back to NY before it was time to test, so his office did the betas. I would have gone back to my RE for the 6 week sono, but by then the betas were going down so there was no point.

It's definitely possible to do IVF away, but it's definitely more complicated. I'm able to telecommute during that time (my boss is aware of the situation and is as accommodating as possible), so at least I'm not losing days or salary.

Good luck!

Re: IVF Abroad anyone?

You may want to try emailing with Sue from IVF Traveler. She has a ton of experience coordinating out-of-country cycles all over the world. Good luck!

Re: IVF Abroad anyone?

Interesting... I've only heard the opposite.

I know people who travel to NY from international countries where IVF failed multiple times. I think the success rates are higher at certain centers here.

With the reverse commute, the couple would spend the whole pre-cycle period here, get meds from here & then get follow up care internationally.

IVF Abroad anyone?

My mom did IVF back when Virginia was the only option. The whole place was full of women from around the country trying to get pregnant. She said the hard thing was having to be ready to leave at a moments notice, especially when she ran apartment buildings and had a 5 year old at home (me). But if it was doable then it must be easier now with technology what it is today compared to 1985.