My husband and I have had a lot of obstacles put in our way during our IVF journey. I never thought we would have to add ‘pandemic’ to that list. This one really takes the cake.
On March 25, 2020 around midday, the Australian Government announced that all non-urgent elective surgery would be suspended and this would take effect at midnight on April 1, 2020. At the time, I wondered ‘does IVF count as elective and non-urgent?’… and yes, apparently it does.
For now, IVF in Australia is on hold. It is paused … postponed. I don’t dare use the term ‘cancelled’ because that is too scary and definite. Those who are currently on a cycle will be allowed to continue treatment but no new cycles can be started and any ovulation tracking or ovulation triggering is also suspended.
Your questions about COVID-19 answered by The Quicky’s Claire Murphy. Post continues below.
Perhaps to some that announcement may not cause any concern, as elective, non-urgent sounds fairly minor. I know that many people waiting for elective surgery will be deeply impacted, and to people like us this news is crushing. For two and a half years, my husband, Jonny, and I have tried desperately for something that to others seems easy, a baby. This is all we want. In order to achieve this dream our lives have had to revolve around IVF – appointments, injections, blood tests, scans, medication pick-ups and the dreaded phone calls telling us how we are progressing. Those of you who have been through or are going through IVF know about the complex emotions that comes along with it.
Top Comments
You have every right to be desperately sad and angry at the universe. Nothing to do but breathe... and wait. My heart goes out to you ❤️😔
Have you ever thought about adopting? Maybe thats something to think about instead of going through ivf that's expensive and might fail. With adoption you're guaranteed to bring a baby home.
Adoption is actually a very long, hard and expensive process in Australia. People often say this to people who are doing IVF but it is definitely not an easy solution to getting a child.
Sara, adoption in Australia is extremely difficult. There are no children to adopt. They are all stuck in the foster care system as the government does not like to strip parents of their legal right. Adoption in Aus is virtually impossible, in fact. Please do not suggest this to people in Rachael's situation, because I can guarantee you they have considered it already.
Judging by your previous comments, you're American, so here's some local info. According to the Australian Institute of Health And Welfare, in 2017/18, 330 adoptions were finalised in Australia, a very small number. 70% were 'known adoptions' where the child was adopted by a foster carer or similar. The average wait time was three years. A large number of kids were adopted from overseas, which can be expensive and have long wait times. The number of babies available for adoption is extremely small, you are by no means 'guaranteed' to bring one home. I'm sure you mean well, but telling someone who is struggling to get pregnant to 'just adopt a baby' is really unhelpful, because it simply isn't that easy.
Oh wow, I didn't realize. Here in America it's fairly easy to adopt through children's services as long as you pass basic background checks, which for most law abiding people goes relatively easy. Sorry I just assume things are the same way in Australia. It doesn't seem fair for people there who want to adopt a baby, all the hoops you would have to try jumping through.