Fantasy IVF

Some times I fantasize over the many luxuries it would take to make me pregnant. Sure many would disagree, feeling that regular trips to the hairdresser have nothing to do with fertility. I however, choose to differ.

When undertaking repeated cycles of IVF treatments, it is first essential to get over the idea that spending all those hard earned dollars in overcoming infertility is a luxury. Without IVF we have even less hope of having a baby. IVF treatments therefore become a necessity. One big financially-draining, stress inducing necessity.

Sure, we all know about the cycle costs, that may or may not include (depending on the country from which you are reading this) specialist visits, ultrasounds, blood tests, cycle management, IVF medications, surgical procedures and more. If you deviate from the standard run of the mill garden variety cycle you could run into many more costs. There is also the travel, long-distance, interstate, or even international. Add to travel costs your food and accommodation and the dollars begin to grow even more.

There are many more costs that form part of the total financial burden of IVF. These are the costs which are often not included in the overall package, but play a very important role nonetheless.

Here in Australia, my third fertility specialist insists (like his predecessors) I take a range of pre-natal vitamins. One type comes in a box of one hundred tablets and costs $100 AU. There are the specialist recommended vitamin and mineral supplements for my male partner too. In the course of one year, we spend hundreds of dollars on the official clinic recommended supplements alone. Okay, so we might not have a baby yet, but we can be very confident of not having any serious dietary deficiencies.

Our clinic is a great supporter of the use of acupuncture in IVF. After a deadly near-miss with a rather over-zealous practitioner (more of that later!), Lifeslurper has settled in with weekly visits to a wonderful acupuncturist. I am being treated for whatever ales me, my lower back included at a rate of $55 per visit with about $20 of that coming back via private health insurance. With so much evidence supporting IVF, we feel we can not afford to forego this essential but luxurious treatment. Being over 40 and infertile means for me that I can’t afford to skimp on the minimum recommendations. I also wonder constantly about going beyond these basics.

Occasionally I have reiki sessions. That is a relaxing way to cope with IVF. However my back does not like laying flat for an hour at a time. My volunteer ran reiki centre does not extend to the trimmings of soft treatment benches or under knee pillows for the injured. When I can manage the laying down, the treatment at the cost of a small donation is well worth the small cost.

There is also a naturopath specialising in pre-pregnancy care I have seen. Her appointments are claimable on my private health cover as well. Any herbal supplements or Chinese medicine is extra. Until now, I have been unable to try any naturopathic recommended remedies due to there potential interaction with IVF medications. In the time I have seen the naturopath I have always been in the midst of, or about to begin an IVF cycle, thus preventing the use of alternative remedies. Still, the naturopath has become a trusted confidant, someone to discuss the many rigours of IVF with.

So IVF, vitamin supplements, acupuncture, a bit of naturopathy and reiki is about as far as my direct fertility enhancing efforts spread. I constantly wonder if I could be doing more. Are there other alternative therapies for instance that could have a direct affect on my pregnancy potential? Reflexology, osteopathy, kinesiology? Anything and everything could be worth trying once. If only I knew where to start! Anything with an ‘ology’ or ‘pathy’ suffix might be the order of the day.

We are told by our clinic produced literature that ‘lifestyle’ issues are important. In my case I translate that to mean a healthy BMI. Mine has gradually decreased, but that has required the regular use of my local gym and various diet programmes. When my lower back is at its worse I also need the assistance of my lovely young physiotherapist. Getting myself into the physical condition required to undergo IVF treatment therefore requires a team effort. Suddenly I feel like I have my own fertility entourage!

Beyond all of the methods listed above there are a few things I would like more of. For example, haircare; I have extremely thick curly long hair. It is naturally dry and requires six weekly treatment and trims to keep it in good condition. This has slipped somewhat, and my crowning glory has become a matted brittle mess that I am sorely tempted to take to the scissors with. Worse still, my first three cycles led to actual hair loss thanks to IVF medication not taken for the fourth cycle. My scalp is still in recovery mode from that. I would love to have the time and money to indulge in weekly trips to the hairdresser for some special conditioning treatments. It would do wonders for my confidence. My sensitive skin too has suffered. My favourite moisturiser is off limits to me at this time as it is a Retin-A based formula. The makers could not ensure the safety of its use during pregnancy. My anti-allergen high price cosmetic regime that once consisted of multiple steps both morning and night has come to a complete halt as each of the products has ran out and not been replaced. A lifetime of good skin care has now become an extra, thanks to IVF. The memory of tingling clean fresh skin has been quickly over-rided by the constant irritation of red blotched and flaking skin which has grown dull after months of IVF medication use.

While fantasising of all the things I would like to help me feel good and ready to face IVF again, I imagine running off to some health spa for a complete detox (inside and out) with a lot of meditation and relaxation thrown in.

Am I wrong to associate feeling good within my own skin with my fertility? Should it take so many people to make me pregnant, or am I just plan lazy?

What do readers of Lifeslurper dream of doing for themselves in their quest for a baby? What are the bare minimums? What are the blank cheque extremes? Do tell!