A Decade of Hope: Our IVF Journey

BREAKDOWN OF COST

Procedure: $19000

All medications are in addition to treatment fees: $9000

1 week accommodation: $1600

2 Return Flights: $2000

Total: $31,600

With 2 Attempts (Total x2)** $63, 200

One Time Maximum Subsidy Amount -$20,000

Out of pocket expenses: $43,000

** If a second attempt was deemed unnecessary, or any money raised exceed what was required, donation(s) would be made to community group(s) that offer support and resources for individuals and couples dealing with infertility.

OUR STORY

We’ve dreamed of having a baby since 2014, the year we got married. When we first sought help for fertility, we were told to “wait and see” or given general advice. Ashley was even referred for bariatric surgery, which had a multi-year waitlist. Eventually, we were placed on another long waitlist for the fertility clinic in St. John’s.

Once we finally started IUI treatments, we went through several unsuccessful rounds, each one bringing heartbreak. The emotional toll was immense—mental health struggles, time off work, and feelings of isolation as we navigated difficult emotions that weren’t always easy to talk about.

Then, COVID delayed everything even further. After Ashley’s bariatric surgery, we had to wait another year before we could even try to conceive again. With waitlists stretching on for years, our window of opportunity kept shrinking.

Through it all—doctor’s appointments, invasive tests, medical procedures, emotional stress, relationship strains —we remain hopeful. We want to know we’ve done everything possible.

And that brings us to today: IVF is now our best path forward. Unfortunately, there are no IVF clinics in Newfoundland and Labrador, so Calgary is our closest option. We’ve completed our referral, paperwork, and preliminary tests, and we’ve received our first cost estimate. It’s a significant amount. If we need more than one round of IVF, the costs double. On top of that, there are expenses for medication, travel and accommodations. While we’d love to attempt multiple rounds to increase our chances, each attempt means another trip, more time away, and additional costs.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government offers a one-time $20,000 subsidy, which helps, but it doesn’t cover everything. We would love to see an IVF clinic in our province one day or more financial support for fertility treatments under MCP. But for now, we’re turning to our community for help.

If you feel comfortable supporting us, we would be forever grateful. Every little bit helps bring us closer to growing our family.