October 18th 2024.
There is a glimmer of hope for those who have been struggling to start a family, as more than 200 women have successfully become pregnant through Australia's pioneering public IVF program. This revolutionary service in Victoria has eliminated any out-of-pocket expenses, making it more accessible and fair for couples to fulfill their dream of having a child.
One couple who benefited from this program is Suong Cassar and her husband Daniel. Suong was diagnosed with endometriosis, which greatly reduced their chances of conceiving naturally. Because her condition was severe, they were advised to undergo IVF. However, this would have been a costly endeavor if not for Australia's first publicly-funded fertility program.
Suong expressed her excitement, saying, "This is unbelievable! I'm finally carrying our little miracle inside of me. We are so grateful that we didn't have to pay close to $100,000 like some of our friends did. We practically paid nothing for this amazing gift."
Daniel also shared his relief, saying, "There are so many things to worry about and plan for when trying to have a baby, and finances have never been one of them. This program has lifted a huge weight off our shoulders."
After two rounds of egg collection, a total of 25 eggs were retrieved, and their beautiful son Johnny was born through the first embryo transfer at the Royal Women's Hospital. Suong exclaimed, "For someone with my condition, I never thought it would happen so quickly. It's truly a miracle."
Daniel added, "It was all so surreal at first. It didn't really hit us until a month before the due date. We are just overjoyed and grateful for this blessing."
The public fertility care service has been in operation for almost a year now, and according to Dr. Rashi Kalra, 43 babies have been born, with 227 more women currently pregnant and hoping to deliver soon. The service is encouraging more couples to take advantage of this opportunity.
Associate Professor Wah Teh emphasized, "We cater to couples who are struggling with infertility for various reasons, including those from the LGBTQIA+ community and those who need fertility preservation."
Currently, the wait time for a first appointment is about six to eight weeks, with an additional three to four weeks for nursing and counseling sessions before the actual fertility treatment can begin. This program has truly given hope to many couples and is paving the way for a more inclusive and accessible approach to fertility care.
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