PCOS Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

The Ontario Fertility Program – Jacquie’s Story #IVF4ON

Paula — Mon, 05 Dec 2016 14:02:07 +0000

This month marks the first anniversary of The Ontario Fertility Program. The highly anticipated program has increased access to fertility treatment for many in Ontario who previously couldn’t afford the cost of assisted reproductive therapy. The Ontario Fertility Program has helped about 5,000 patients. It has given hope to many infertility patients, closure to some, and it has made family a reality for thousands like Jacquie. More than 50 clinics in the province offer the Ontario Fertility Program for patients who qualify. You must have a valid Ontario health card and be under 43 to access the program. Patients who qualify are eligible for one IVF cycle per lifetime. The Ontario Fertility Program has made all the difference in the world to many infertility patients like Jacquie. Jacquie asked to remain anonymous because culturally, she said, it’s still not acceptable to share infertility experience. “No one in my family or friends circle know that we suffered with infertility. My background is Indian, and most people don’t talk about their fertility struggles.” The Ontario Fertility Program launched in December 2015. Jacquie was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism, and Poly-cystic Ovary Syndrome, (PCOS) a condition where the ovaries sometimes produce many cysts and irregular periods are common. It is the most common endocrine disorder for women in their reproductive years. Jacquie is a medical secretary. Her husband works in the service industry. Both work full time and they only recently managed to save money to buy a condominium in the Toronto area. Although both work full time they were not anticipating the cost of paying for IVF when they took out a mortgage. Borrowing more money to do treatment was not an option. Dr. Marjorie Dixon, a well known Toronto fertility doctor at ANOVA Fertility, recognized that they were a couple who qualified for the Ontario Fertility program. Jacquie’s experience with the Ontario Fertility Program has been a good one. “All the doctors, and nurses were super helpful and always were willing to help and answer questions.” [tweetthis]Jacquie waited only about three months to start the Ontario Fertility Program #IVF4ON [/tweetthis] The soon-to-be Mom says she is currently feeling great. The start of the pregnancy was rocky with hyperemesis gravidarum. She had to take 2 months off work because of the amount of vomiting and nausea she had. It got better at 16 weeks, and eventually went away at 26 weeks. In the New Year, Jacquie says looking forward to the chance to be a Mom and can’t wait to meet the new baby. Jacquie doesn’t know whether the baby will be a boy or girl and she’s looking forward to being surprised. “The funding has meant so much to so many women suffering from infertility. They are finally able to get a chance at IVF if they were not able to afford. The Ontario Fertility Program meant we could access treatment and have a chance at building a family.” Hope For Others Starting in the Ontario Fertility Program Asked what she would tell infertility patients who are still hoping to do a funded IVF cycle, she said: “My advice is stay positive and patient. From my IVF cycle, I had 18 follicles, 7 mature eggs only and 1 Embryo. I had no hope as to that 1 embryo would work as most people get a couple. My embryo was frozen on day 3, and thankfully it worked when I did the transfer. Don’t lose hope; Anything can happen.” You can follow the group Conceivable Dreams on line and learn more about the Ontario Fertility Program. http://www.twitter.com/ivf4on/ and http://www.conceivabledreams.org/

The post The Ontario Fertility Program – Jacquie’s Story #IVF4ON appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.

We’ve Been Trying Since I Was 25: An Infertility Story #ivf4on #onpoli

Paula — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:34:00 +0000

Ashley and Brandon Powell Ashley Powell is 29, diagnosed with PCOS and she has exhausted most of her options trying to get pregnant. Ashley ’s infertility story starts back at puberty. She had her first period at 13. But it took a full year before her next period arrived. Her menstrual cycles have always been erratic and painful. Powell typically had only 4-8 periods each year and they were extremely painful. In college she was diagnosed with Polycystic ovarian syndrome and referred to a gynecologist. The doctor told her she might have trouble conceiving and that has been proven repeatedly. She married her husband Brandon in 2009 and they began trying to conceive immediately. Imagine having a health problem you knew how to solve, but the solution remained out of reach due to price. That’s the frustrating state of life for the Oshawa couple. “We’ve been going to the fertility clinic from the time I was 25 years old. With the IUI’s and the injection medications, it has been nearly impossible to save any kind of lump sum amount for the IVF we need.” Ashley’s husband’s sperm counts are just fine, despite a battle with testicular cancer and subsequent surgery. Because of these two factors, the Powells consulted fertility specialists early. They had planned to start their family young. In vitro fertilization is the medically recommended treatment for the Powells, and for many who experience infertility, but in Ontario the cost can easily be $10,000 with medications. The couple can’t afford that. Instead, they have exhausted every single option that is funded by OHIP. They have done IUI, intra-uterine insemination, timed intercourse and recently surgery called Ovarian drilling, to no avail so far. Because of the PCOS, she only ovulates a few times a year at most. During the recent surgery Ashley underwent, the doctor found that her Fallopian Tube had adhered to her uterus and twisted. Ashley says that may be due to scar tissue and the miscarriages they’ve suffered. Recent attempts to get pregnant were probably futile because the sperm was not getting through her Fallopian Tube. Almost five years later and ten rounds of different treatments and the Powells are financially and emotionally exhausted by their infertility journey, plus they still have no children. They are desperate for help and ready to tell their story so others understand that infertility is a battle and a health condition that can often be remedied with IVF. They believe funding IVF is good health care policy. Currently in Canada, the only province that funds IVF is Quebec. 1 in 6 Ontario couples struggle with infertility. 75 % of Ontarians support funding for IVF. Many patients here are advocating for Ontario to adopt a similar model to Quebec, or at least to consider cost sharing. Numerous countries in the world already fund in vitro fertilization. Australia is just one of those countries. Where IVF is funded and single embryo transfer is the standard protocol the rate of high risk multiple births drops dramatically saving health care costs resulting from lengthy stays in neo-natal care and maternal health issues. In the last two years the Powells have found support from a patient group called Conceivable Dreams. The Ontario based group advocates for public funding for in vitro fertilization. They can be found on Facebook and Twitter as well. I am community manager for the group Conceivable Dreams. As such I am compensated. My opinion is all my own. An abbreviated version of this story appeared in Metro News this past week.

The post We’ve Been Trying Since I Was 25: An Infertility Story #ivf4on #onpoli appeared first on Thrifty Mommas Tips.