Exploring IVF Costs

im a long-term planner. while we awaits a matured follicle to develop on my left ovary, we are also saving up for ivf treatment in case my IUI fails. don't get me wrong, we're very hopeful it will succeed. but then again, we got nothing to lose if we start saving. well, except for our weekly lunch/dinner and movie dates but we're willing to give it up so we can have our baby. we made the decision this weekend and P asked me how much it would cost us. i actually have more questions. of course, one at a time. first things first. how much do we need?

i emailed a number of ivf centers that performs ivf in the philippines and other asian countries. some of them already replied. i'm sharing them so some TTC couples have an idea.

in the philippines, there are three known ivf centers: CRM in ortigas, Victory ART in makati and repro-optima in cebu.

CRM in ortigas is the same facility where P and i go to for SA and blood work. doc m also performs ivf there. i already asked him about the costs and he said i should prepare around 300k. i told him i don't want a lot of eggs to be fertilized. i would want only 5 blastocysts (fertilized eggs). during the initial transfer, i would ask 3 of them to be implanted. the 2 will have to wait until for 4-6 years, in case my pregnancy will be successful. doc m wanted 8 blastocysts. the good thing about having more blastocysts is that in case you get dont pregnant, succeeding embryo transfer will only cost around Php45K or so. the con is that you are responsible for the rest of the blastocysts. you have to pay storage fees until such time you are ready to have them implanted. they are your babies after all. you have to pay for freezing your embryo and of course the storage.

in repro-optima cebu, they have a more friendly payment scheme. rough estimate is Php 250,000.00 to Php 300,000.00 depending on the result of hormone assay and sperm analysis. they offer payment schemes such as 0% installment for 6 months, reduced factor rate for 12 to 24 months.

i wasn't able to receive any response from victory art. but i see a lot of girltalkers who had their ivf treatment there. i will try to know more and share the info to you.

Pre-Seed Lubricant

Bought Pre-Seed Intimate Moisturizer from a pharmacy of Sandoval Distributors, Inc last weekend.  Pre-Seed is a lubricant which is safe for couples who are trying to conceive or so that's what they say.

Since we are trying to get pregnant naturally (without IUI) but of course still assisted ovulation, the deed part is getting too stressful.  You have to perform on specific days which in your mind is critical.  Pre-Seed helps with the deed session, make it more wet but still sperm-friendly.  And with the Clomid making us dry, there was a concern of using lubricant.

Not all lubricant are the same.  Pre-seed is the only one that will not harm sperms.  It was my husband who found out about it.  I called Sandoval Distributors Inc., sister company of Hyphens Pharma Philippines Inc, the sole distributor for Pre-Seed here in Philippines.  SDI is located in 2nd Floor A.B. Sandoval, Pasig.  One box which contains 6 individually wrapped lubricants costs Php995 PHP950 (I think).  If you want to purchase, you can also call them for delivery at (+632) 6874056 or (+632)9100000.  Look for Ms. Rina or Ms. Jaja.

For the location/map of SDI, click here.

I got my period yesterday so today is my Day 2.  I'm scheduled for a checkup today but I'm not sure if I would change my doctor.  My husband said we should try normal session again for this month but with Pre-Seed.  If it doesn't work, then we'll go for IUI next April.