Trying to have a child now is an option for both single and partnered women.

This is often suggested as an alternative to egg freezing, especially for older women (e.g. over 38 years old) as success rates are lower.

If you are in a heterosexual relationship, you could consider trying to become pregnant naturally now or soon into the future. You could use artificial insemination or IVF treatment if needed.

If you are single or in a same-sex relationship you could consider using donor sperm with artificial insemination or IVF treatment.

What is IVF?

IVF involves collecting eggs from the ovaries and fertilising them with sperm in a laboratory. This is done to help overcome infertility which can arise from both women and men when trying to have a baby.

IVF procedures include ovarian stimulation, egg collection and fertilisation, and embryo transfer.

Using IVF

The process involves:

• Daily hormone injections for about 2 weeks to help mature your eggs. Other medications might be needed too.
• A small surgery is then done to collect as many eggs as possible from the ovaries.
• Egg and sperm are added together to try and create embryos. This may involve using ICSI. For more information about ICSI, click here.
• Not all embryos will develop well. Some are likely to be discarded.
• Once a healthy embryo has developed it is placed into the womb.
• Any remaining embryos can be frozen and stored.

You may need to take hormones to prepare your womb for embryo transfer. However, it can also be done in a natural cycle where no hormones are used. Your fertility specialist will discuss with you the best approach at that time.

You will need to wait for about 2 weeks to find out if you are pregnant.

You can choose to freeze some of the eggs you collect unfertilised as well.

What are the chances of IVF working?

Let’s say you collect 10 eggs (50):

• About 4 to 5 of your eggs will fertilise and become embryos.
• 1 to 2 of those embryos may result in having a baby.

This is a general example, and outcomes will be different for everyone. A fertility specialist will be able to give you more personalised advice.

Your chances of having a baby will depend on:

• Your age when embryos are created.
• The number and quality of embryos created.
• Other factors such as the quality of sperm used to fertilise your eggs.

Understanding IVF success rates can be difficult. YourIVFSuccess have some information which may be helpful. They also have calculator to estimate your own chances of success with IVF.

What costs are involved?

The cost of IVF varies across clinics. You will need to consider the costs for consultations, cycles and donor sperm (if you plan to use it).

Talk to a fertility clinic about pricing estimates, and possible reimbursements available through Medicare and private health insurance.

Are there any other issues?

Any embryos made with a male partner can only be used if both partners agree. If a couple separates, it may still be possible to use the embryos if one partner donates them to the other.

The length of time embryos can be stored varies across Australian states/territories.

Embryos that are not used can be discarded, or donated to another woman or research.

Where can I get this done?

The first step is to see a GP for a referral to a fertility clinic.

The Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand has a list of accredited fertility clinics within Australia.

You can enquire with specific clinics about the services they have available (e.g. IVF, donor sperm facilities etc).

Here are some pros and cons about trying for a child now (naturally or with IVF) that you may want to consider.

Pros

• Greater chance of having a baby.
• An opportunity to have a blood-related child.
• Possible cost reimbursements if IVF is used (depending on your fertility status at the time).

Cons

• May not be in a good position to have a child now or in the near future.
• If IVF is used:
  • Potential inconvenience, health risks and side effects from treatment.
  • Any unused embryos will need to be discarded or donated.