I need information

[velvettiger]

My husband and I have just been told that the only way we will ever have a baby is to do In Vitro. There is no way we can afford it! What is the best way to finance or raise money for this? We want kids so bad, and we just don't have that kind of money. My husband is a disabled vet and can't do jobs that would make better money. Any advice? I am new to this kind of thing and don't know what to do!

[faithhope7776]

Hi Velvettiger,
I am afraid I can't provide much help. I am even newer in this IVF journey. All I could suggest is that there are always options it just depends on what you are willing to do.
For instance, there are states that mandate IVF coverage from employers, I don't know about your state, but I am sure someone could chime in about that eventually here. Or email me and I will try to find that info. for you. So basically, this may sem drastic, but I have heard of couples moving temporarily to states that have this law, and one or both of the couple get jobs with IVF coverage. They aren't even necessarily hard jobs to get. I think FedEx/ Kinkos is one of them. They might even provide coverage no matter what state. You need to start researching on what major companies may provide that coverage. Ask on these and other boards. Maybe you or you DH could get a job at one of these places.
Also and this is what I am considering, Mexico and other countries perform IVF for what seems like the fraction of the cost. If you check out the IVF by location, under Mexico, you will see what I mean.
I am from southern california, and my parents are from Mexico. I can assure you that there are really wonderful, qualified Dr.s there.
Well sweetie, It is so sad that your husband is a vet. injured at that and you can't even get good coverage for this. Such a shame. I will pray for you both. Remeber there are always options. You just need to start by asking like you did here.
God Bless You,
Jessika
email me: jjeska25@yahoo.com

[poppan]

Some clinics will give a discount (it was around 25% at my clinic) if you are below a certain income/asset level. They usually don't advertise it. Pick some clinics you are interested in and then call and ask if they have any programs like that.

This clinic in Texas has one of the lowest fees I've seen:
http://www.ivfmd.net/Finance/Finance2.htm
I have heard good testimonials for them but do not have experience myself.

Massachusetts, Illinois and some other states have mandated infertility coverage including for IVF. Not all companies have to offer it, there are loopholes. But you could potentially seek a job in one of the mandated states and check on what the insurance coverage is before taking the job.

IVF abroad is frequently cheaper. I heard it's around $3500 in Sweden.

Clinics sometimes conduct trials or studies and you may be able to get free meds that way. Also ask your clinic if they have any donated meds they can give to you.

If you have great credit, you can take out a 0% APR credit card and charge part of the IVF onto it. Make really certain of the terms and how long you are guaranteed the 0% interest rate for, and make sure you can pay it back within that amount of time.

[velvettiger]

Well, as hard as it is, my husband and I came to the decision that we will not try in vitro, or any procedure to get pregnant. It is too hard on us to keep getting let down, and there is no way we can afford in vitro, even with some help. so it looks like it's in God's hands.

[BC-mtroth]

Hi velvettiger,

I know it's been a few months since your last post, but I'm just seeing it now. I'm touched by your story, and I wondered if there has been any updates in your journey? Sometimes when you resign to God, you become blessed with pregnancy. I just wondered if you could update us......

-Maria

[velvettiger]

Well It has been a few months since I logged onto here. I have done a lot of thinking and we were able to find an alternative solution. It obviously will not be possible for us to ever be able to afford the Invitro. I spoke with a very close friend of mine not long ago, and she has had 4 beautiful boys. She has volunteered to have a baby for us. I was shocked at the offer because not many people would agree to carry a child for you and then just give it up. But we have been great friends for 10 years so I trust her and I know she trusts me as well. So we have agreed to do this! She wants more than anything to help us and we have decided to not only do this together, but we have agreed to have her be a permanate fixture in the babies life. She would be a close Aunt and we want to make sure that he/she grows up knowing what a wonderful thing she has done for us.
It is still very hard to know that my husband and I will never have a child that comes from us both, but knowing that we will be able to get the chance to be parents is enough for me. My husband still is at the point where he doesn't want to get his hopes up because we haven't done anything yet, and probably will wait about a year or so before it actually happens. But I know once he sees the ultrasounds and hears the heartbeat all thoughts of doubt will go away. I am excited. I am so happy that I will finally get the chance to be a mom.
Thanks for all your support

[BC-mtroth]

Well that post just brought tears to my eyes! I marvel at your strength of character and willingness to be open to other possibilities. I'm so, so happy for you guys......please keep us posted!

-Maria

[velvettiger]

Thank you so much. This has been a very difficult journey for us both, however I know that this is the path that we have been chosen to follow. I will keep you updated as I hear more.

[luvmakeup1000]

Poppan is right, I did my IVF in texas and he's the best!! IVFMD.NET I had twin 15 mos olds. His rates are the lowest in the state, he says people charge too much for this and he success rates are higher than the national avg. It only cost us $4800 for the IVF and another $2000 for the meds, he is half the price as any where else but what is even better, since we had extra embyro's that we froze it's only $600 to do a another cycle but meds will be around $700. So much lower than any where else. I've sent a few people to him and they've all gotten pregnant, he's the best!!

[velvettiger]

Well, we sold our house and had hoped it would be enough for us to be able to afford Invitro, but it wasn't. So we decided on an alternative. We have opted for Intrauterine Insemination with a donor. We went to our clinic and our doctor was very supportive and informative. We found a donor website Fairfax Cryobank and they actually have a feature where you can send in your husband or spouses photo and they do a photo match with a few donors and you can pick that way if you want to find someone with similar physical characteristics, which my husband thought he would like. So we placed our order, and in July I will begin my first try. I already have my fertility meds and am counting the days until we can get started. I can hardly wait to be pregnant!