How can I prepare a realistic budget?
Deciding to move forward in your journey can be both exciting and scary at the same time, but you must educate yourself, seek information, and be patient. Every aspect of creating your family through assisted reproduction, whether third-party or not, involves timing, insurance issues, agencies, attorneys, psychologists/counselors, and physicians; therefore, you must be ready for all the risks you may face along the way. And most importantly, you must be prepared for anything, including your child’s birth.
To alleviate the stress and make your dream a reality, it is best to create a realistic budget that takes each aspect into consideration, including agency fees, donor fees, medications, surrogate fees, travel (if any), legal costs, medical IVF costs, pregnancy and delivery costs, medical costs for baby, psychological fees, and other possible costs that can occur. Don’t be afraid to get a complete cost list from your IVF clinic because global does not necessarily mean all costs are included. Ask the attorney for his or her fees—hopefully, these fees are at a flat rate. What extras can the agency charge? What extras are there if your surrogate goes on bed rest?
Planning your journey in detail and understanding the risks that are involved will have you minimize the risk and limit your exposure.
Does my marital status or lack thereof matter?
It depends. Patients come in all shapes and sizes, including gender, sexual orientation, third-party needs, and marital status. However, in each case, the one thing everyone has in common is the basic human desire to have a child and become a parent. Otherwise, everyone’s story and the path will likely differ in path, perspective, and outcomes. What is most important for everyone, however, is education and following the path that suits each party personally, including the choice of your surrogate or donor.
How do I locate a reputable clinic? What about statistical reporting to the CDC?
Make certain to research your potential IVF doctors and their clinics, just as one would research a daycare provider. Use the Society for Assisted Reproduction Technology (SART) statistics and ask questions and verify their stats from the CDC. Not all clinics report their statistics for various reasons, but don’t let that rule out that clinic without first asking questions. Find time to meet them for interviews, talk with the staff, and connect with other patients online in forums. Ask about their protocols and procedures, numbers, and references, and keep asking until satisfied. And remember, once a physician has been selected, continue asking questions regarding protocol, testing, embryo grading, etc. Keeping informed each step of the way is very important because patients need to be their own advocates.
Where do I start?
Starting the process can seem daunting; however, here is an abbreviated list to help you start your journey to creating your family:
- Speak with an IVF physician and clinic
- Speak with a reproductive law attorney
- Speak with a third-party agency regarding locating a surrogate, egg donor, sperm donor, or embryo donor
- Determine Costs for your situation
- Confirm Insurance Coverage, if applicable
We hope that this list allows you to start the process and move forward in your journey.
