Using natural therapies in combination with fertility treatment

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Naturopathy

Naturopathy takes a holistic approach to your wellbeing and focuses on treatments that support your body to heal itself. A naturopath may recommend a combination of therapies such as herbal remedies, nutritional supplements, and diet and lifestyle advice.

Some evidence suggests that a holistic, naturopathic approach to care can benefit aspects of reproductive health. For example, a study in overweight women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) compared the combined effects of herbal supplementation and lifestyle changes with lifestyle changes alone.1 While the combination was not shown to specifically increase conception rates, it did improve other markers of fertility like menstrual cycle regularity (which can support ovulation) and enhanced mental wellbeing scores for depression.1

Herbal remedies

Herbal remedies are commonly used in naturopathy and include plants or parts of a plant – such as roots, flowers, bark, seeds and stems – that are often made into pills, teas or ointments for convenient consumption.

Simple acts like drinking a mug of herbal tea or using moisturisers infused with flower essences can relieve stress and create a sense of inner peace. And specifically regarding gynaecological findings, some herbal therapies have shown benefits. For instance, a study assessing the use of clomiphene (a medication that supports ovulation) combined with black cohosh supplementation in women with subfertility demonstrated increased endometrial thickness and improved hormone profiles.2 Theoretically, this can improve the chances of conception by creating a more receptive uterine environment for embryo implantation.2 However, the study findings did not specifically show an increase in pregnancy rates.2 If you would like to try a herbal remedy, keep in mind that they can affect your fertility treatment medications, so it’s essential to check if a herb is safe with your fertility specialist first.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a Chinese medicine practice in which thin needles are inserted into the skin at select acupuncture points. These acupuncture points mark lines of energy flow (called meridians) within the body, and the insertion of acupuncture needles at these points is intended to stimulate this energy flow.

There is limited evidence showing that acupuncture enhances fertility. However, patients may find acupuncture beneficial for stress reduction3 and overall emotional wellbeing.4

Mind-body practices

Mind-body practices are centred on the belief that your mindset can influence your health. Some mind-body practices include mindfulness meditation, yoga, music therapy, hypnosis, art therapy, aromatherapy, guided imagery and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Mindfulness meditation

A female in casual clothes performing mindfulness meditation with her eyes closed while seated on a bed next to window.

Mindfulness meditation is a type of meditation that teaches you to become more aware of what you are thinking and feeling. Over time, mindfulness meditation can help you experience each moment with more compassion and less expectation – which may help ease the highs and lows of your fertility journey.

Research has linked mindfulness meditation with fewer difficult emotions, such as depression and stress, and less rumination, which can help you bounce back more easily from the highs and lows of your fertility journey.5

Yoga

Yoga is an ancient Indian mind-body practice that guides you through various postures and stretches. There are multiple styles of yoga, from gentle movements to more physically challenging practices. However, all yoga practices are a form of mindful movement.

The focus on flowing through physical motions and synchronising your movements with your breath can help you reconnect with your body and take a step back from the thoughts passing through your mind. This was evident in a six-week yoga program for women who were waiting for IVF treatment, where yoga was associated with fewer negative thoughts and feelings about fertility and an improved sense of wellbeing.6

Reflexology

Reflexology is a form of massage for the feet, hands and ears, where pressure is applied to select points that are believed to be linked to the function of broader body parts. By applying pressure to these points, reflexology aims to relieve stress and support healing in the body part each point is associated with.

A study comparing reflexology to gentle foot massage in women experiencing infertility found that reflexology did not improve ovulation or pregnancy rates. However, reflexology was associated with lower depression scores, which can help strengthen your resilience and overall fertility treatment experience.7

Take a balanced approach

Current medical research does not directly link complementary remedies to enhanced fertility. However, if such remedies benefit your emotional wellbeing and do not interfere with your current medical treatments, they could be a positive addition.

Always explore these options in consultation with your fertility specialist to ensure that these won’t interfere with your treatment.

There are also other changes you can make to maximise your chances of getting pregnant, such as:

  • Drinking caffeine in moderation
  • Incorporating regular movement into your routine
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Enjoying a balanced, nutritious diet
  • Taking the recommended supplements.

If you would like to learn more about lifestyle changes to improve your fertility, you can also read ‘What can I do differently in 2024 to fall pregnant?’ by Newlife IVF fertility specialist Dr Nicole Hope.

Still got questions?

To meet with one of our Newlife IVF fertility specialists and learn more about how you can improve your fertility, you can reach our team by calling (03) 8080 8933 or book online via our appointments page.

References

  1. Arentz S, Smith CA, Abbott J et al. Combined lifestyle and herbal medicine in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A randomized controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2017;31(9):1330-40. doi:10.1002/ptr.5858 ↩ ↩
  2. Clark N, Will M, Moravek M et al. A systematic review of the evidence for complementary and alternative medicine in infertility. Int J of Gynaecol Obstet. 2013;122(3):202-6. doi: 10.1016/j.ijgo.2013.03.032
    HealthProfessional/#:~:text=Today%2C%20black%20cohosh%20is%20most,irritability%20%5B5%2C6%5D ↩ ↩ ↩
  3. Xi J, Chen H, Peng ZH et al. Effects of acupuncture on the outcomes of assisted reproductive technology: an overview of systematic reviews. Evid-Based Complement and Alternat Med. 2018;2018:7352735. doi: 10.1155/2018/7352735 ↩
  4. Hassanzadeh Bashtian M, Latifnejad Roudsari R, Sadeghi R. Effects of acupuncture on anxiety in infertile women: a systematic review of the literature. J Midwifery Reprod Health. 2017;5(1):842-8. doi: 10.22038/jmrh.2016.7949 ↩
  5. Patel A, Sharma PSVN, Kumar P. Application of Mindfulness-Based Psychological Interventions in Infertility. J Hum Reprod Sci. 2020;13(1):3-21. doi: 10.4103/jhrs.JHRS_51_19 ↩
  6. Oron G, Allnutt E, Lackman T et al. A prospective study using Hatha Yoga for stress reduction among women waiting for IVF treatment. Reprod Biomed Online. 2015;30(5):542-8. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2015.01.011 ↩
  7. Holt J, Lord J, Acharya U et al. The effectiveness of foot reflexology in inducing ovulation: a sham-controlled randomised trial. Fertil Steril. 2008;91(6):2514-19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.04.016 ↩

Building resilience during IVF – how to cope with the highs and lows

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Building emotional resilience can help you manage these emotions, recover from setbacks and cope with life’s difficulties and uncertainties.

What is resilience?

‘Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats or significant sources of stress.’1

Being resilient does not mean avoiding feelings of stress or emotional pain – rather, it is adapting to difficult or unexpected circumstances and bouncing back from the experience.

Resilience improves your wellbeing

Concerning fertility, research has shown that higher levels of resilience among couples struggling with fertility are associated with enhanced quality of life and emotional stability, as well as lower fertility-related distress.2
Beyond helping you cope during fertility treatment, building resilience can have a positive impact on your overall health and wellbeing, leading to3:

  • Fewer depressive symptoms
  • Improved adaptation to stress
  • Enhanced ability to cope during distressing experiences
  • Improved physical health.

Practices to build your resilience

Like progressively strengthening a muscle, you can learn to become more resilient to life’s challenges over time. Here are some examples that may help.

Grow supportive connections Cropped shot of two young women embracing each other

Drawing on the support of those around you, including your partner (where applicable), family or friends, can help share the emotional load of your experience as you continue with your fertility treatment.4 Help is a two-way street – in addition to accepting help, supporting your loved ones through difficult moments can help you feel connected to others while giving you a sense of satisfaction, in turn strengthening your resilience. Small and simple gestures like checking in with a friend or lending an empathetic ear while others are dealing with stress can also distract you from an inward focus where you feel stuck in your own problems.

Manage uncertainty

During fertility counselling sessions, we often dive into how to navigate feelings of uncertainty and lack of control that can be experienced during fertility treatment. This is because learning how to accept uncertainty – not just during fertility treatment but throughout life in general – can help develop resilience.

But merely accepting the unpredictability and ‘unknowns’ of your fertility care is not an easy thing to do, which is why we recommend practising mindfulness. Instead of latching onto feelings of uncertainty when these thoughts arise, acknowledge their existence and try to move through these feelings. This is one of the hardest things to do, so be kind to yourself while you work on this.

Set small, achievable goals

The pride and sense of accomplishment you feel when achieving a goal is motivating and energising, helping you to feel more optimistic. Research has shown that breaking down your overarching goal into smaller short-term goals can help reframe your mindset while also relieving feelings of disappointment after a negative fertility treatment cycle.4

So ensuring that your goals are achievable is a great way to build resilience. In this instance, the importance is not the goal itself but the process of setting small goals and noticing your progress.

Break down each step in your fertility treatment cycle into mini-goals – this might include taking your hormone injections each day, completing your blood tests and scans, having your embryo transfer or intrauterine insemination procedure, or getting through each day of the two-week wait before finding out whether the treatment resulted in the outcome you were hoping for.

Sprinkle in some joy

There can be moments of sadness and loss when trying to conceive, which can make it harder to appreciate other joys in life, particularly if your fertility journey is regularly on your mind (as it’s very easy for treatment to become a sole focus).

Try to maintain some ‘normality’ in your life by engaging in activities that bring you joy.4 Humour is also effective in helping to develop a more resilient nature, so exploring activities that make you laugh while giving you a break from treatment can help you stay connected to day-to-day life.

Take the time to reflect

Think back on obstacles that you have previously overcome and recognise that you have already been developing resilience over the years, perhaps without knowing it. Reflect on past situations that have caused you stress, grief or trauma and ask yourself:

  • What worked in helping you to cope during these times?
  • What didn’t work well?
  • Who were the best people to help you at those times?

Take these learnings with you on your fertility journey and draw on them when working through any disappointing or unexpected outcomes.

Connect with our supportive counselling team

Our compassionate Newlife IVF counsellors are here to guide you through every step of your journey.

At Newlife IVF, we are committed to supporting our patients the best we can, which includes providing you with additional counselling sessions at no extra cost. To book an appointment with one of our counsellors, call (03) 8080 8933 or email us at [email protected]. And to make things easy for you, we are more than happy to consult with you over the phone so you don’t have to take time off work.

We also offer our TLC group support sessions to help you overcome feelings of isolation during treatment and improve your connection with others. Please email [email protected] for upcoming meetings.

Remember, you have made it through rough times before. You’ve got this.

References

  1. American Psychological Association. Building your resilience. American Psychological Association. 2020. Accessed 20249. https://www.apa.org/topics/resilience ↩
  2. Herrmann D, Scherg H, Verres R et al. Resilience in infertile couples acts as a protective factor against infertility-specific distress and impaired quality of life. J Assist Reprod Genet. 2011;28(11):1111–1117. doi:10.1007/s10815-011-9637-2 ↩
  3. Quyen G, Vandelanotte C, Cope K, et al. The association of resilience with depression, anxiety, stress and physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Public Health. 2022;22. ↩
  4. Bailey A, Ellis-Caird H, Croft C. Living through unsuccessful conception attempts: a grounded theory of resilience among women undergoing fertility treatment. J Reprod Infant Psychol. 2017 Sep;35(4),324–333. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2017.1320366 ↩ ↩ ↩

Balancing work and fertility treatment

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For instance, it can feel overwhelming when you have to manage multiple appointments – including tests, scans and procedures – alongside a busy work schedule. Below, we explore common patient experiences when navigating a career as well as fertility treatment, along with advice from our counsellors to help you manage this balancing act.

To tell or not to tell

Some people find it easier to communicate with their workplace manager about their upcoming fertility treatment so that they can negotiate time off or flexible working arrangements when beginning a treatment cycle. Being upfront and open about what is required of you throughout your fertility treatment journey can help you and your manager plan around the quantity of work you can do, along with arrangements to suit your treatment schedule, such as reduced travel, flexible hours or the option to work from home if needed.

Unfortunately, there are instances where workplaces are not supportive of their employees, and women choose to withhold their family-building plans from their workplace for fear of discrimination or missing out on opportunities due to future pregnancy. If you elect not to disclose your fertility treatment with your workplace, have a plan in place to help you manage your scheduled appointments, including time off work for your procedures. Without going into the specific details, you may consider disclosing that you are ‘having a medical procedure’ and leave it at that.

Managing questions

Having your colleagues ask questions about your fertility or why you’ve had time off lately is a common experience for many of our patients. Some people are inherently curious about your family-building plans even though it isn’t necessarily their business. Just as you may be doing with family and friends, you might consider having a plan to manage these questions. For instance, coming up with some standard responses can be a good trick to have up your sleeve so that you can reply promptly and nip that curiosity in the bud.

If you’ve already opened up to others about your infertility, you might find yourself fielding questions. For instance, there may be interest about when you’re starting treatment or how far along you are in your treatment cycle, along with how you’re feeling and whether you’re pregnant yet. While these questions are often well-intended and come from a good place, sometimes they are misplaced or poorly timed.

If you have told others about your fertility treatment journey, consider setting boundaries with them from the start – let them know that you will update them when you have news or need their support, and kindly ask them to give you space during this time. For many patients, the workplace can serve as a place to remain busy and distracted, so being interrupted with questions related to your fertility treatment can impinge on your ability to distract yourself.

Should I take leave?

Patients often ask us for advice on whether they should take a few days or weeks off work during their treatment. In our experience, this decision is highly individual and often determined by whether it is financially viable for you to do so or if you have enough annual leave accrued to facilitate this.

During our counselling sessions, we also discuss whether it is helpful to maintain a normal routine. On one hand, sticking to your routine can give you a sense of normalcy and preserve your emotional health and wellbeing. Meanwhile, extended leave from work may leave you feeling like you have too much time on your hands, causing you to ruminate on your treatment. On the other hand, if you find that work is exacerbating your distress about your fertility journey, perhaps it’s worth considering a few days of planned leave or working from home during the more stressful periods of your treatment cycle.

We generally advise patients to take a day off work on the day of egg collection (and likely the next day). While there is a lesser need to do so for intrauterine insemination (IUI) and embryo transfers, it can be an opportunity for you to have a day off to do something enjoyable and celebrate. After all, you may have just made a baby! Taking sick leave for these days is how most patients manage their treatment, and you will be given a medical certificate on the day of your procedure to accommodate this.

Self-care at work

Some patients have found that they are less engaged and ‘switched on’ at work while undertaking fertility treatment or that they are falling short of their usual high standards. In these instances, it’s important to remind yourself that your medications (which mimic your body’s hormones) and the potential stress of fertility issues can affect how you function at work. You also may find that your focus shifts away from work and towards the practical and emotional demands of fertility treatment.

Making your work a lesser priority can feel strange and uncomfortable, particularly if you have a strong work ethic. It may take some time to adjust to these new feelings, so be kind to yourself in this space – and be mindful of the pressure you place on yourself at work. Consider lowering the expectations you have for yourself. You don’t always need to function at 100% capacity.

You may find that telling a trusted colleague about your treatment can help provide you with emotional support and practical help when dealing with these feelings. Perhaps even consider devising strategies for when you’re feeling under pressure, such as leaving your office for a walk, practising mindfulness or breathing exercises, talking to your support person or a friend, or even leaving work early.

Our counselling team is here to help

The Newlife IVF counsellors are very experienced in providing support during and after IVF treatment. If you would like to book an appointment with one of our counsellors, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can reach our team by calling (03) 8080 8933. And to make things easy for you, we are more than happy to talk with you over the phone, so you don’t have to take more time off work.

Your guide to a successful egg collection

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What is egg collection?

Egg collection (also referred to as ‘egg retrieval’ or ‘egg pickup’) is the process by which we collect eggs from your ovaries. The eggs collected can then be frozen and stored, or used in the next step of an IVF cycle. Usually, we will be able to collect around 8–12 eggs but this is dependent on multiple factors, including your age.

Sometimes, you may need to undergo more than one egg collection, so we have a good quantity of eggs available (in the double digits is ideal). The number of eggs is important, whether you are freezing your eggs for potential use in later life, or whether you are moving on to the next step in the IVF process straightaway.

How do I prepare for my egg collection?

Two weeks before your egg collection

You will require regular hormone injections for around 8–14 days before your egg retrieval. This varies based on how your body is responding to the fertility medications and which regimen your fertility specialist decides is best for you. These injections encourage the maturation of eggs that would otherwise deteriorate. This is important as only mature eggs are capable of fertilisation when combined with sperm (an egg and sperm must successfully unite in order for an embryo to form).

While injections can sound painful and daunting, the needles are very small and easy to use. We will teach you (or a partner or another preferred person) how to give the injections at home.

You can read more about how we stimulate the ovaries to produce mature eggs here.

The week prior to egg collection

An ultrasound image showing the number of follicles within a woman's ovary
Ultrasound imaging is used during fertility treatment to track the development of ovarian follicles.

About a week after you start these medications, you will have a vaginal ultrasound so we can view your ovaries and count the number of follicles present. Usually, each follicle will contain one egg. The number of follicles gives us a good idea of how well you are responding to the fertility medications, while the size of the follicles is a good indicator of egg maturity. Unfortunately, small follicles usually contain immature eggs, which can be difficult to retrieve – they tend to stick to the follicle wall during collection. Thus, we may need to adjust your fertility medications to encourage more growth.

Ultrasound and blood tests also help us to determine the best time to collect your eggs. As such, these tests will be performed over the course of this week with the exact timing of your egg collection updated in line with your results. This change in schedule can sometimes be frustrating for patients, particularly in the midst of work commitments, but it ensures we are collecting your eggs at the optimal time in terms of both egg quantity and quality – the more mature eggs, the better!

1–2 days before your egg collection

Around 35–36 hours before your scheduled egg collection, you will have a ‘trigger injection’. This is a different hormone medication and will trigger ovulation (the release of eggs from your ovaries).

We will also ask you to fast from 6 hours before the time of your scheduled procedure (this reduces the risk of nausea and vomiting later).

Morning of your egg collection

On the morning of your egg collection, you may feel both excited and nervous – and hungry (!) from fasting. There are just a few things we need you to remember:

  • Continue to eat and drink nothing. Small sips of clear fluids are okay up to 2 hours before your procedure
  • Brush your teeth – we understand the last thing you want to do is to break our ‘nothing to drink’ rule but it’s okay to brush your teeth!
  • Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing
  • Do not wear any makeup or jewellery, and
  • Confirm the availability of the person you have organised to drive you home after your procedure and to ideally spend the rest of the day with you while your sedation wears off.

What will happen when I arrive for my egg collection?

On arrival, please make your way to our Ground Floor reception to complete your admissions paperwork. We will then guide you through to a waiting area where you can change into a hospital gown. There will usually be a period of waiting at this point, as we schedule your admission time an hour before your procedure. We recommend bringing a good book or podcast along.

Next, we will discuss the procedure with you, check when you took your trigger injection, answer any last-minute questions you may have, and ensure you understand and feel comfortable with what will happen next.

When it’s time for your procedure, we will guide you through to the procedure room and give you some light sedation. Once the sedation has kicked in (you will feel drowsy and relaxed), we will insert an ultrasound probe into your vagina. This provides a clear view of your ovaries and the follicles inside them (the eggs are located inside these follicles). We will then guide a fine needle attached to the probe into each of the follicles, one at a time. A suction device attached to the needle drives the fluid inside the follicle up the needle and into a heated test tube. This entire process takes around 20–30 minutes.

An image of oocyte-containing fluid collected from an egg retrieval procedure
During the egg retrieval procedure, fluid is collected from ovarian follicles, which contain eggs (the dark, circular spots).

The fluid collected is taken straight through to our lab for examination by one of our embryologists. Under a microscope, they can carefully identify the eggs and discard the fluid. Our lab is directly adjacent to our day surgery so your eggs don’t have very far to travel!

If your egg collection is for the purposes of egg freezing, any mature eggs we find will be frozen and stored within a few hours of your procedure. If your egg collection is part of an IVF cycle, we may also freeze the mature eggs for use at a later date. Alternatively, we may proceed to the next step of the IVF process straightaway, placing your eggs with specially-prepared sperm from your partner or donor (this is called ‘insemination’).

Depending on how many eggs were collected and the volume of sperm available, 1–2 eggs will each be placed in a petri dish with a concentrated sperm sample containing around 100,000 sperm! Ideally, each egg will be fertilised by a single sperm, with every normally fertilised egg having the potential to grow and develop further into an embryo. However, it’s important to note that not every egg we collect will be mature, and not every mature egg placed with sperm will be fertilised. Hence, by collecting multiple eggs, we increase the chances of success at this step in the IVF process. You can read more about fertilisation and what impacts its success here.

What happens after my egg retrieval?

Around 90 minutes after your procedure, your designated person can take you home. Before you leave, let us know if you need a medical certificate. We recommend taking it easy for the rest of the day.

If you are planning to freeze your eggs, we will generally call you later that day to tell you how many mature eggs were collected. If we are proceeding with insemination, we will usually call you the next day instead, so we can also tell you how many of these eggs were successfully fertilised overnight. Any fertilised eggs will be placed in an incubator in our lab. Here, their development will be monitored closely with the hope that they continue to grow into healthy embryos, ready for the next step in the IVF process – embryo transfer.

How can I best support my recovery after an egg collection?

Most women will experience some mild pain or discomfort after an egg collection and it may take weeks for this discomfort to ease completely. To help support your recovery, we recommend:

  • Placing a heat pack over your belly and resting if you’re experiencing any cramping or discomfort. If your pain continues, take some paracetamol. Note: do not take any antihistamines, ibuprofen, aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications if you are planning to have an embryo transfer
  • Consuming clear fluids if you are nauseous until you feel better
  • Looking out for any vaginal bleeding (but don’t worry if you notice some light spotting or bleeding for a few days – this is completely normal)
  • Avoiding vaginal creams, lubricants or spermicides (aside from the progesterone cream we may have given you)
  • Avoiding all heavy lifting or vigorous exercise such as running or cycling for a few weeks
  • Staying away from hot tubs and Jacuzzis
  • Limiting your caffeine and alcohol intake
  • Avoiding intercourse for a few days or until you feel comfortable. Engaging in intercourse around this time can result in natural conception; however, it’s important to listen to your body and only do what it feels physically ready for.

Are there any symptoms I should watch out for?

There are a few symptoms to watch out for after this procedure, including fever; pain, nausea or vomiting that’s not improving; heavy vaginal bleeding; feeling overly weak, faint or dizzy; shortness of breath; pain in your shoulder area; severe stomach bloating; rapid weight gain; or little to no urination despite drinking plenty of water.

If you are concerned or worried about anything you are experiencing, please call our clinic for advice on (03) 8080 8933. Alternatively, you can contact your fertility specialist. After-hours, you should visit your closest emergency department.

Still got questions?

If you have an upcoming egg collection booked and still have questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call on (03) 8080 8933. If you’re interested in learning more about egg freezing or IVF, check out the rest of our website for further information. For personalised advice, you can also book an appointment with one of our fertility specialists.

Newlife IVF is Climate Active certified!

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Our efforts to implement sustainable business practices that reduce our carbon footprint have allowed us to become members of a community of progressive organisations known as the Climate Active network. This Australian initiative represents our nation’s collective effort to measure, reduce and offset carbon emissions that contribute to global warming.

What it means to be Climate Active

We’re serious about sustainability and addressing climate change – so much so that we’ve become a carbon-neutral organisation. This means that we’ve calculated our carbon emissions and have taken action to remove the equivalent amount of carbon that our business produces from the earth’s atmosphere. We’re also continuing to look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint even further.

Improvements we’ve made so far include introducing a recycling program to limit our waste. We’ve converted paper-based processes to digital workflows and, in doing so, have become a 95% paperless business. We also opt for reusable and environmentally friendly products whenever possible while sourcing as many materials as we can from Climate Active certified suppliers. Our electricity is now sourced from a carbon-neutral energy retailer, and we have also invested in Australian and international emission reduction projects.

To ensure that we remain accountable and on track, we’ve assigned ‘climate champions’ to each business department who are responsible for increasing environmental awareness and driving behavioural change in line with our sustainability goals. Collectively, these initiatives will help our business remain Climate Active, while also working towards our future ambitions of further reducing carbon emissions year after year.

How will these changes affect our fertility care?

They won’t! We may have developed a green thumb, but it’s business as usual, and Newlife IVF will continue to offer an exceptional standard of fertility care at an affordable price.

There is, however, a broader implication for our patients – this certification helps you identify brands and businesses working towards a bright and sustainable future. Therefore, you can choose to work with Climate Active organisations that are doing their part to support climate leadership and sustainable business practices.

Change happens when we all play our part, and we are proud of the efforts we have made so far to combat climate change.

Learn more about Newlife IVF’s accreditations.

Climate Active Accreditation logo

Your fertility treatment and COVID-19, including vaccination advice

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Is IVF treatment going ahead?

The current restrictions to non-elective surgery that led to the suspension of some IVF services in Victoria will be lifted from 11.59pm on Tuesday 25 January 2022. This means that IVF stimulation cycles can resume from 26 January 2022. However, as the 26th is a public holiday, in-clinic procedures such as egg collection will effectively resume on 27 January 2022. Please contact your fertility nurse on Day 1 to check in as you usually would.

In the meantime, all other procedures continue as planned, including IVF cycles that commenced prior to 6 January 2022, frozen embryo transfers (FET), intrauterine insemination (IUI), ovulation induction, urgent medical egg freezing (e.g. due to impending cancer treatment), semen analyses and sperm freezing.

Should I have the COVID-19 vaccine (or booster) if I’m undergoing fertility treatment or IVF?

Yes. Based on advice from the Australian & New Zealand Society of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, we support the decision to get a COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters, during fertility treatment. There is no evidence that the vaccine will affect your overall fertility or current treatment, nor the pregnancy that follows. This is true for both men and women.

We recommend that you avoid having the vaccine (or booster) in the days leading up to your admission to the hospital for embryo transfer or egg collection. Approximately 15% of patients have a fever following vaccination. Whilst this in itself is not worrying, hospital protocols may prevent patients who have a fever from being admitted to the hospital.

Should I have the COVID-19 vaccine (or booster) if I am pregnant?

Yes. The Pfizer vaccine is now recommended for all women who are pregnant. There has been extensive use of this vaccine in the US and UK with no specific pregnancy complications and no increase in overall complications compared to non-pregnant recipients. There has been no increase in fetal abnormalities or birth defects, nor is there any plausible reason for how this could occur. What has been seen with vaccine administration is a reduction in the chance of the pregnant woman getting COVID-19, and we know that pregnant women are more likely to get severe COVID infection requiring hospitalisation, admission to an Intensive Care Unit, and death.  Increased rates of premature delivery of babies has been seen in pregnant women with severe COVID, and this can be reduced through vaccination.

Does the COVID-19 vaccine (or booster) cause miscarriage?

No. There is no evidence of an increased risk of miscarriage or abnormalities in the physical development of your baby.

Should I have the COVID-19 vaccine (or booster) if I am breastfeeding?

Yes. COVID-19 vaccines are thought to be safe and not considered to be a risk to your child.

How do COVID-19 vaccines work?

These vaccines protect you from COVID-19 by fooling your immune system into making an immune response to small proteins that are associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus (the virus causing the disease COVID-19). Your body will then have pre-built immunity should you ever be exposed to the real virus and you will be protected. For an adequate response, it is recommended that you receive the vaccine twice, several weeks apart (for Pfizer, which is currently the only vaccine recommended for use during pregnancy or for men and non-pregnant women aged 40–59) and several months apart for AstraZeneca (which men and non-pregnant women aged 18–39 may receive if they provide informed consent). A booster shot is now also recommended. At the time of writing, it is recommended that Victorians have their booster 3 months after their second vaccination. Further booster shots may be recommended in the future.

What are the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine?

There are minimal side effects that remain uncommon. These include a sore injection site, headache, fatigue, temperature rise and muscle weakness. These symptoms are not from you having ‘mild COVID-19’; they are a result of the immune response that your body mounts in response to the vaccine.

What should I do if I am newly pregnant?

Get the vaccine as soon as possible! As above, the Pfizer vaccine has been determined safe for use during pregnancy in Australia.

What effect does the COVID-19 pandemic have on my fertility treatment?

As of 27 January 2022, we will be back to offering all of our usual fertility treatments. In the meantime, Newlife IVF remains open, and our fertility specialists, nurses and counsellors are all available, with consults taking place virtually (via telehealth or videoconferencing). Patients are still able to attend face-to-face appointments with their fertility specialist when an examination is required. During IVF cycles, patients are able to attend for pathology and ultrasound tracking in person, as well as undergo their fertility procedures in our on-site partner day surgery, Epworth Eastern Ekera.

Please note: Newlife IVF must follow directives from the Department of Health, as well as the policies of Epworth Eastern Hospital, and these are subject to change. Currently, all patients undergo exposure risk screening prior to attending our facilities, and in some circumstances, a COVID-19 swab is required.

Further, any patient actually diagnosed with coronavirus will be managed by the Department of Health, and they will be unable to attend the clinic while infectious.

As we all know, Government and Department of Health advice can change at short notice. However, we are hopeful that there will be no further forced interruptions to IVF or fertility treatment once all treatment resumes on 27 January 2022.

If I am having difficulty conceiving, is it still safe to seek help?

It is safe to undergo fertility assessment and treatment due to the numerous precautions we’re taking during the process. We still advise you to seek help from one of our specialists in line with our usual recommendations:

  • If you are under 35, we advise seeking help after 12 months of trying for a baby without success.
  • If you are over 35, we recommend seeking help after just 6 months of trying.

We can arrange a virtual consult or see you in our rooms with suitable precautions in place. Our clinic is taking a number of steps to ensure safety, such as maintaining social distancing by staggering patient appointments and temperature checks. Please ensure good hand hygiene and frequent hand washing or use of hand sanitiser if attending in person.

We recommend patients remain proactive about their fertility assessment and treatment throughout this period due to the natural decline in fertility with age.

What should I do during this period if I’m undergoing fertility treatment?

We are encouraging our patients to do all the recommended actions to reduce their risk of being exposed to COVID-19 including social distancing and hand hygiene, and we are strongly supporting vaccination against COVID-19 before and during fertility treatment. It’s even more important than usual to keep healthy by eating well and exercising to benefit your physical and mental health – see our blog for useful tips.

What happens if I am quarantined during or before my fertility treatment?

During your period of quarantine, we will be following advice from the Department of Health and Human Services, who may advise that you are unable to attend Newlife IVF clinics for appointments, ultrasounds, blood tests or fertility procedures (such as embryo transfer). If you suspect you need to self-quarantine or have been told to undergo quarantine, please contact our nursing team as soon as practicable by calling (03) 8080 8933. While our first priority is to reduce the spread of coronavirus through our community, we will do what we can to facilitate your care and continue with your treatment, if it’s appropriate and safe to do so. For example, some appointments can be managed by teleconference, or home delivery of medications may be appropriate. Your fertility nurse will advise what is possible in your particular situation.

What effect does COVID-19 have on pregnant women?

Over the course of the pandemic, lots of information has been gathered on the impact of COVID-19 on pregnancy.  We can now say with confidence that:

  • There is no direct effect on a baby’s physical development if his/her mother is infected with COVID-19. By this, we mean, the virus itself does not lead to an increase in fetal abnormalities.
  • There are some reports of COVID-19 causing an infection in an unborn baby, but the risk must be quite low.
  • There is an increase in premature birth if the mother is infected with COVID-19.
  • Pregnant women are not more likely to become infected with COVID-19 than non-pregnant women.
  • Pregnant women are more likely to have severe COVID-19 infections. Severe infection includes a much higher rate of hospital admission, respiratory distress syndrome, and intensive care unit admission for mechanical ventilation (breathing with a tube). This is the major contributor to the increase in preterm birth; pregnant women can be so unwell that the baby must be delivered, regardless of the gestation, in order to save the mother’s life.
  • Pregnant women are more likely to die from COVID-19 infection than non-pregnant women.

However, it is important to note that most pregnant women who have a COVID-19 infection experience a mild infection only and recover fully with no impact on the pregnancy.

Can I pass coronavirus on to my baby?

It is possible but very unlikely.

If I am diagnosed with coronavirus during my pregnancy, what effect will it have on my baby?

The major risk to your baby is that premature birth is more likely.  It does not increase the chance of abnormalities in your baby.

I’m still worried – what can I do?

It is understandable to feel anxious at this time on top of the normal worries associated with fertility treatment and pregnancy.  Don’t feel like you have to cope alone. We are always here to help, and the coronavirus pandemic is no exception. Please do not hesitate to call (03) 8080 8933 to speak to one of our team members or email [email protected].  We will then direct you to our fertility specialists, nursing or counselling team, as appropriate, for support and information.

This is certainly an extraordinary time but we will all get through it together.

If you have any further questions, do get in touch!

Stay safe and take care, from Chris and the rest of the Newlife IVF team.

#inthistogether

Disclaimer: all information in this post is correct as of 20 January 2022 and will be regularly updated as new information and advice from health authorities comes to hand.

Donating your eggs – what’s involved?

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Whether you intend to donate to friends or family, or anonymously, there are several things to consider before you make your decision. Although it can be an incredibly rewarding experience, donating your eggs is a physical and emotional commitment with potentially lifelong implications. It is therefore important to be fully informed before you decide to become a donor.

Things to consider before donating your eggs

Understanding the legal landscape of egg donation in Australia

In Australia, donors have no legal connection to any child conceived as a result of their donation. This means they have no parental responsibilities and are not required to pay child support. Donors also have no legal rights to the child and cannot be granted custody. If you are donating as a known donor, you and the intended parents should discuss how much involvement, if any, you will have in the child’s life. Boundaries should be worked out before you embark on this journey and you may wish to seek legal advice to facilitate this.

If you intend to become an anonymous donor, it’s important to understand that donation is not truly anonymous in Victoria. Children born from your donation can legally request access to your identifying information after they turn 18. This means you may receive contact from them. Additionally, some of your details will be shared with potential recipients – these include eye colour, height, cultural background and health. However, your identity will remain hidden from potential recipients.

Financial considerations – what to expect when donating eggs

In Australia, egg and sperm donation must be altruistic. That is, you cannot receive financial compensation for your donation. However, reasonable expenses can be paid by the recipients, including medical and out-of-pocket costs (such as travel expenses).

Emotional implications of egg donation

Before you donate, you are required to attend mandatory counselling sessions. This is to make sure you fully understand the legal, social and emotional aspects of egg donation. How do you feel about someone else raising a child who is genetically related to you? How will your decision to donate affect your family and children (if you have them)? How do you feel about the potential for future contact with one or more children or adults born as a result of your donation?

At Newlife IVF, our experienced fertility counsellors can help you consider these questions and more. You will complete your counselling feeling fully informed and reassured about your decision and its possible effects on your life in the future.

Physical health and eligibility criteria for egg donors

To become an egg donor, you must be mentally and physically healthy, living a healthy lifestyle, with no family history of inheritable disease. You are also required to be at least 21 years old before you can donate. Ideally, you should be younger than 38 years old. A mandatory health check, including blood tests and ultrasounds, will be performed. You will also be asked lots of questions about your personal and family health history. Once you are given the all-clear, you will be able to donate.

What happens when you donate your eggs

The process of donating your eggs will differ depending on whether you already have frozen eggs available – i.e. from a previous in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycle – or need to have your eggs collected. Below we discuss both scenarios.

Donating your stored eggs

If you’ve been through IVF and your family is complete, you may have frozen eggs you aren’t intending to use. In this case, you may wish to donate your eggs to an individual or couple who also needs help to have a child. In this case, assuming you fulfil the criteria to become a donor, you will be able to donate your existing frozen eggs.

Egg collection

This process is identical to the first half of an IVF cycle. Before your eggs are collected, you will be given medication to stimulate your ovaries to produce several eggs. This medication comes in the form of a daily injection that will need to be taken for 8 to 14 days. The injection is delivered through a pen device, so it is very easy to use. You can choose to give yourself the injection or ask a friend or family member to do it for you.

Injections will begin on the first day of your period. From around day 5 or 6, a second daily injection will be added, to stop your ovaries from releasing any eggs (ovulating) before they can be collected.

From day 8, you will be monitored using blood tests and ultrasounds to check whether your follicles (small, fluid-filled sacs within the ovaries, each containing a developing egg) are large enough for egg collection. Egg retrieval is usually done at around day 13. About 36 hours prior to collection, the injection that prevents ovulation will be replaced by a so-called ‘trigger injection’. This stimulates the eggs to fully mature before collection.

Egg collection is a day procedure done under light anaesthetic. You won’t be aware of the procedure while it’s happening, nor will you remember it. Egg retrieval is carried out by a fertility specialist, who will use an ultrasound to visualise your ovaries. A thin needle will be inserted through the top of your vagina and into your ovaries to collect the eggs. The procedure takes about 20 minutes, and between 8 and 15 eggs are typically collected.

About 90 minutes after the procedure you will be allowed to go home. After resting at home for 1–2 days, you can resume your normal activities. It is common to experience some abdominal discomfort and bleeding. However, the discomfort is typically fairly mild and manageable with Panadol and a heat pack.

A COVID-19 test is also required prior to the day of the procedure. You will need to isolate at home, separating yourself from others in your household, until the results come back.

After your eggs are collected, an embryologist will look at them under a microscope. If your recipient is ready, they can use the eggs straight away. The mature eggs that are ready for fertilisation will be introduced to sperm on the same day.

If your recipient is not ready, the mature eggs can be frozen until they are ready to be used. They will also be quarantined for a period of 3 months. After the quarantine period has passed, you will be asked to come in for another round of blood tests to double-check that you are healthy. Once you’re given the all-clear, your eggs are ready to be used.

How to donate your eggs

The information in this article is certainly not exhaustive. We recommend that you refer to the information provided by the Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (VARTA) to gain a more complete understanding of the issues pertaining to egg donation. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

If you are ready to take the next step to donate your eggs, book an appointment at Newlife IVF. Whether you want to donate to friends or family, or as an anonymous donor, we can facilitate the process for you. To book your appointment, call (03) 8080 8933 or book online.

Single and ready to have a baby – what are my options?

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I’m a single woman – what are my options?

Donor sperm – clinic-recruited versus known donors

Essentially, there are two options for obtaining sperm: accessing donor sperm through a fertility clinic’s sperm bank, or using a sample provided by someone you know.

At Newlife IVF we have an on-site sperm bank containing samples recruited from local and international donors. The benefit of using sperm from our clinic-recruited donors is that it is thoroughly tested for infectious diseases and common genetic problems. After we freeze the sperm, it is then quarantined before donors are retested to make sure it is high quality and safe to use.

When you use a clinic-recruited donor, you also have the advantage of very clear legal boundaries. The donor has no legal connection to your child – they are not entitled to custody and do not have to pay child support. They also remain anonymous to a large extent; that is, you will not know the donor’s identity (but you will know their family medical history and some of their traits). However, your child can request that the donor’s identity be revealed to them when they turn 18.

If you choose not to go the clinic-recruited donor route, you may consider using a sperm sample from a friend or acquaintance. A benefit of using a known donor is you will likely have a good understanding of their appearance, background and traits. However, the social and legal boundaries are not as clear-cut as they are when using a clinic-recruited donor. Discussing expectations and creating firm boundaries with a known donor requires careful negotiation, and you may wish to seek legal advice on how best to proceed.

If you do decide to use a sample from someone you know, it’s best to involve a fertility clinic. That way, you can have the sample rigorously tested for safety and quality in the same way we test donor sperm.

In this video, Dr Chris Russell talks about donor sperm and its use in IVF and IUI procedures.

Insemination – how egg and sperm meet

The next consideration is how best to introduce the sperm sample to your egg. There are a few different options for insemination, and the most suitable will depend on your specific circumstances.

One possibility is home insemination. In this method, sperm is injected into the vagina using a syringe at home. As this mimics the natural fertilisation process, home insemination is effective when the donor has a normal sperm count. It is also one of the most cost-effective options. However, it does not afford the same degree of protection from infectious disease as undergoing a similar process via a fertility clinic.

The clinic-based alternative is intrauterine insemination (IUI). This is where a sperm sample is concentrated to contain a very high number of sperm. It is then injected directly into your uterus soon after your ovaries release an egg. Using a concentrated sperm sample increases the chances of a sperm fertilising your egg. Depending on your circumstances, your specialist may recommend combining IUI with a medication to stimulate the release of an egg from your ovaries, further increasing the chance of success.

The last option is in vitro fertilisation (IVF). In this process, several of your eggs will be introduced to sperm in laboratory dishes. When utilising clinic-recruited donor sperm, the best sperm may be selected and a single sperm injected directly into each egg, a process called intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). One of the best embryos resulting from IVF insemination will then be transferred back to your uterus. The rest can be frozen and stored for later use, if necessary.

Two embryologists performing the intracytoplasmic sperm injection procedure.In ICSI, a single sperm is injected into the centre of a mature egg.

There are a few reasons you may be advised to undergo IVF. If you have known infertility, you’re in your late 30s or early 40s (when female fertility naturally declines significantly), or you struggle to get pregnant through other forms of insemination, your specialist may recommend this procedure. Likewise, IVF may be advisable if you’re using a known sperm donor with low sperm quality or quantity for other methods of insemination. If you wish to do preimplantation genetic testing, which is the process of genetically testing your embryos before they are transferred to your uterus, IVF will be necessary. For more information about these procedures in relation to your particular circumstances, chat to your fertility specialist.

I’m a single man – what are my options?

To have a baby as a single man, you will need the help of an egg donor and a surrogate. According to Victorian law, these must be two different women.

You may choose to use a clinic-recruited egg donor, or a known donor, i.e. a friend, acquaintance, or a family member (note: the last is only okay if you are not using your own sperm). Egg donation must be altruistic in Australia, meaning no financial compensation is paid for providing eggs. Once the donor eggs are ready, your sperm will be introduced to them using IVF (discussed earlier in this article), and the best resulting embryo will be transferred to your surrogate’s uterus. If you are not using your own sperm, donor embryos may be an appropriate option for you.

It’s common to ask a friend, acquaintance or family member to be a surrogate. Surrogacy is also an altruistic process in Australia, however ‘reasonable’ medical costs can be paid by you. Keep in mind that in Victoria, multiple medical consultations, counselling sessions and legal advice are required for both you and the surrogate prior to proceeding. You will also need to seek permission from the Patient Review Panel (this is a legal requirement in Victoria), and the sperm or embryos must be quarantined. This process can take several months.

Seeking a surrogate overseas may also be an option. However, according to Australian law, this is only legal if it is altruistic. Be aware that this is a very expensive route and you will need to plan to potentially be overseas for a few months after your baby is born to organise their entry into Australia.

For advice related to your particular circumstances, you may wish to seek legal advice and talk to a fertility specialist. Unfortunately, Newlife IVF is not permitted to assist you in finding a surrogate (nor can any other IVF provider). However, our counsellors can certainly orientate you to the Victorian surrogacy community and provide support and information as you look for a potential surrogate.

Ready to have a baby on your own?

Make an appointment with one of our caring and experienced Newlife IVF fertility specialists to discuss the most appropriate way forward based on your medical history, circumstances and preferences. Call (03) 8080 8933 or book online and take the next step towards your dream.

  1. Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority. Annual Report 2019. VARTA; 2019:84. Accessed June 25, 2020. https://www.varta.org.au/sites/default/files/public/6249%20VARTA_AR2019_web.pdf↩︎

Budget versus premium-priced IVF clinics: does success cost more?

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The first point to make is that the cost of fertility treatment will always vary from couple to couple. This is because the type of treatment offered depends on the specific cause(s) of a couple’s fertility issues. But even when treatment is similar (e.g. standard IVF), the total cost of treatment can still differ because not every couple will achieve success straightaway. One couple may achieve success in just one treatment cycle while another couple may require two or more cycles. The latter scenario will lead to additional costs for storage of frozen embryos and repeat stimulation cycles or frozen embryo transfers (FET). Further, the cost of a round of treatment and ancillary costs, like storage fees, vary by provider.

In Australia, private fertility clinics typically fall into one of two service models: ‘budget’ or ‘premium’. So how do you choose between them – and is there an alternative to a low-cost or high-cost clinic? Before I answer that, let me explain some important differences between low and higher-cost clinics.

How do budget clinics differ from other providers?

A budget clinic is typically able to offer fertility treatment at low or no out-of-pocket costs by restricting the types of services they provide. For example, they may not offer care for all types of fertility issues, excluding those that incur a higher cost to the clinic. They may also choose not to offer specialised services such as pre-implantation genetic testing (PGT), donor conception (requiring donor eggs, sperm or embryos), surrogacy, or embryo freezing and storage.

Some budget clinics may also only offer standard medication protocols. For example, a woman who is 30 years old, within a specific weight range and has a certain number of eggs, may be assigned ‘Protocol A’ treatment without the option for an individualised treatment plan. Further, the doctors who consult at budget clinics are often on rotation, so you may see a different doctor for each of your appointments, much like an outpatient clinic at a public hospital. Budget clinics may also limit the number of IVF cycles that the clinic can start at any given time, which can lead to significant delays in treatment initiation and sometimes even a missed opportunity to conceive.

In contrast, non-budget clinics are more likely to offer all types of fertility treatment and extend their care to patients with more complex fertility issues. These clinics may also offer additional services such as PGT. The other benefit of these clinics is that you can choose which fertility specialist you want to manage your care. This specialist will provide personalised care specific to your needs and remain with you throughout your entire treatment journey. Lastly, these clinics don’t usually restrict the number of IVF cycles they can run at any one time, meaning you will be able to start treatment when you’re ready, rather than when the clinic can fit you in.

Do success rates vary between low-cost and higher-cost clinics?

Variations in each clinic’s patient populations make it difficult to draw a direct comparison between the success rates of two clinics. For example, some clinics may have a higher proportion of easy-to-treat patients versus patients with complicated fertility issues, which is likely to impact their success rates. Further, clinics can report ‘success’ in different ways, e.g. pregnancy rates may be reported as per egg collection OR per embryo transfer. Similarly, some clinics may report ‘success’ as a positive pregnancy test at the end of a treatment cycle, while others may report success only when a live pregnancy is seen on an early ultrasound (clinical pregnancy) or if a baby is born (live birth rate). Thus, if you are comparing ‘results’ between clinics, it’s important to check that they are using the same definition to report success.

Success rates may also not reflect the different ways patients can journey through IVF. For example, if a couple has all their embryos frozen because the woman is at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation, some clinics may record this stimulated cycle as one where the woman failed to proceed to embryo transfer. This doesn’t reflect that a fresh transfer was deliberately not attempted and that embryos were frozen for use in future FET cycles. Likewise, if pregnancy rates are reported after a FET cycle, it is not always clear if the embryo underwent PGT, which is likely to increase the chance of success.

I can only afford fertility treatment with a budget clinic – is it worth it?

Despite some limitations, there is a definite place for budget fertility clinics in Australia. If cost alone is the only barrier to starting fertility treatment, then a budget IVF clinic may still offer you a better chance of starting a family than trying to conceive on your own.

However, you should be mindful that the prices listed on a clinic’s website may not accurately reflect the total costs that you will incur throughout your care. The following questions are a great place to start when enquiring about treatment costs:

  • Are there additional fees for freezing surplus embryos?
  • What ongoing costs are associated with storing frozen embryos?
  • How much does a frozen embryo transfer cycle cost?
  • What fees do you charge for advanced lab procedures, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or PGT?

How do Newlife IVF’s fees compare to other providers?

One of the reasons we established Newlife IVF was so that we could offer patients high-quality fertility care at reasonable prices. As a doctor-owned clinic, we do not have the pressure of shareholders nor the need to meet the same profit margins required by larger, corporate fertility clinics. Not only do we offer premium fertility care at an affordable price, but our ‘routine’ treatments also include advanced lab techniques that other clinics typically bill as ‘add-ons’ on top of their standard service costs.

Some of these advanced techniques include the use of the EmbryoScope time-lapse system, sequential media and EmbryoGlue for all IVF treatments, as well as egg spindle visualisation for all ICSI procedures. These extra lab techniques help us to select the best embryo to transfer into the womb, improve the chance of the embryo implanting, while also providing more information about egg quality and embryo development. We include these techniques as standard because we want to give our patients the best chance of success, right from their very first treatment. If the first cycle is not successful, we use information gathered from the EmbryoScope and/or egg spindle visualisation to provide our patients with meaningful feedback, and to help inform future treatment decisions.

What additional value does Newlife IVF offer?

At Newlife, we pride ourselves on offering our patients a highly personalised fertility journey. We find our patients’ feedback speaks volumes about the exceptional standard of care we provide. Below are the top three things our patients say differentiate Newlife IVF from other IVF providers:

  1. Even though we are a new clinic, it’s clear that our fertility specialists, and supporting clinical, technical and administrative teams all have a wealth of experience in caring for patients who need help building a family.
  2. Our attentive and caring staff offer regular feedback and support throughout a patient’s treatment journey, so they feel confident we are looking after them and their embryos, which makes them feel less like a ‘number’.
  3. Our patients appreciate coming to the same fertility clinic and seeing their dedicated doctor for all of their appointments. Since Newlife IVF isn’t located in a large hospital, it feels less clinical and more personal.

How can Newlife IVF help individuals and couples who have not found success elsewhere?

If you’ve not been successful elsewhere, one of our highly-skilled fertility specialists can offer a fresh perspective and a second opinion.

Further, our in-house laboratory was specially designed to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and harmful blue light in order to provide ideal conditions for embryo growth. We also employ extra lab procedures that you may not have had access to at your previous clinic. These procedures are included as standard to optimise embryo development and give your embryo the best chance of successfully implanting in the womb.

Last word

Our best advice is not to take treatment fees at face value. Not all IVF clinics are equal, and the cost of care doesn’t necessarily equate to the overall value a clinic provides throughout your fertility journey. You can receive premium fertility care at affordable prices by choosing an independent provider with leading fertility specialists and a commitment to best scientific practice. At Newlife IVF, we offer high-quality care at reasonable prices, so you can focus on the task of falling pregnant without the worry of undue financial duress.

You can book an initial fertility consultation with one of our fertility specialists by calling (03) 8080 8933 or booking online.

Further reading

 

 

 

Infertility, IVF and the festive season

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This post was contributed by Laura Oliver, one of Newlife IVF’s counsellors. 

Christmas often symbolises a time of joy and happiness. We plan celebratory events with family and friends, and take time to reflect on the end of another year. But this time of year can also be very difficult for women and couples who have been struggling with infertility and going through assisted reproductive treatment (ART) like IVF.

The focus at Christmas time is often on children and families, with Christmas cards and social media posts typically displaying pictures of family events or children with Santa. There can be a real sense of pressure to deliver good news at a time of year when many people are celebrating. However, if you’ve been struggling to fall pregnant or undergoing fertility treatment, the end of the year can serve as a painful marker that you have not achieved what you had hoped for this year, and for some of you, a reminder that yet another 12 months have gone by without a successful outcome.

All of this can bring up unwanted feelings of sadness, frustration, jealousy, anger and grief – and with a barrage of festive mementos and occasions around you to remind you that you’re not pregnant, it’s no wonder you feel this way!

Below are some tips on how you can manage the festive season while coping with fertility issues and undergoing treatment.

Be selective

Pre-plan and be selective about which events you attend at this time of year. If you do attend an event, consider how long to stay there for, and what you can do while there to minimise any feelings of stress or discomfort – for example, helping cook or wash up can help keep you busy and distracted, and may assist you to avoid topics of conversation you don’t want to be involved in.

Warn people in advance that you may find Christmas difficult – this doesn’t mean having to disclose information about your fertility; you can make more general references to having had a stressful or difficult year instead. Try to give your hosts time to understand that this year might look a little different for you, and to not be offended if you decide not to attend or only stay for a short while.

If you have a partner or a support person with you, plan a code word or signal to give when you need them to rescue you from a difficult conversation, or when you want to wind up and go home.

Celebrate

Celebrate how you want. Sometimes, this might feel a little selfish at a time when there are often traditions to uphold or family events to attend, but give yourself permission to celebrate in a way that is comfortable and meaningful to you at this time.

This could mean going away with a friend or just your partner (or staying home) and avoiding big family gatherings. Or starting a new tradition for this time of year. Do something that you know will bring you joy, no matter how small.

Re-charge

Use some of this holiday period to re-charge and take a break from treatment (if you feel you can). Take advantage of your time off work and prioritise self-care – pamper yourself! Get a massage, go away for a few days, plan some day trips to the beach or the countryside, or curl up with a good book.

Reflect

Take some time to reflect on your IVF journey so far, and perhaps think about your plans for treatment moving forward. Is there anything you could do differently next year? What are your expectations, and do you need to adjust these at all? Do you have questions to discuss with your specialist? Perhaps even think about how much longer you think you can continue with IVF treatment before needing to pause and reassess again.

Reflect on your own, with your partner (if you have one) or a support person. You could try using a journal to write down how you’re feeling, record the questions you may have, or come up with a list of pros and cons to aid future decision-making.

Ask for help

Use your supports (partner, family, friends) to help you work through any difficult feelings as they arise. Be open and honest with your networks about how you feel and the ways in which they can be of support to you. Be reassured that the way you are feeling, and the different types of emotions and thoughts that may be triggered at this time of year, are very normal. But we all cope in different ways, so make sure you do whatever it is you need to do to keep your heart, mind and body strong for the year to come. And above all else, remember to be kind to yourself!

Lastly, remember that the Newlife IVF counselling team is here to help. We can help you navigate and unpack your experiences and emotions. If you feel that you could benefit from the support of our counselling team, please call the Newlife IVF team on (03) 8080 8933.