Having and raising kids is expensive. This is a well known fact. There are many financial factors that should be carefully considered before someone decides they are ready to have kids (childcare, healthcare, lifestyle changes), but getting pregnant is not usually apart of that equation. That’s suppose to be the easy part, right? So what happens when the decision to have kids is made, but then getting pregnant doesn’t come easily? Unfortunately, for many couples facing infertility, the cost of starting a family significantly increases.
Infertility expenses depend a lot on your insurance coverage, if you have any at all. Unfortunately, insurance for infertility remains inconsistent and often inadequate, leaving many couples to bear the full brunt of medical expenses. Sometimes infertility can last for several years and require multiple rounds of treatment, and the costs quickly add up. Out of pocket lifetime costs can be upwards of $40,000. But what makes up these high costs? I’ll break down what it has looked like for my husband and I after three years of trying to conceive.
The expenses begin with diagnostic procedures, including consultations, blood tests, ultrasounds, and semen analysis. Diagnosing the cause of infertility and completing treatment requires many appointments. The initial consultation can range from $200-$500, the bloodwork, ultrasounds, and HSG procedure, and the semen analysis can cost anywhere from $500-$2,000. Another option is genetic testing. Waring, insurance typically DOES NOT cover this test, so I highly recommend just self paying for it. My husband and I both opted for the test, and together they came to $500. These cost and test may vary depending on your insurance and the clinic you are working with.
For us, it was extremely important that we find a clinic that fits our emotional needs, as well as our financial needs. If I was going to be spending thousands of dollars, I wanted to feel supported through the process. We had one consultation with a clinic ($400) and immediately knew it wasn’t a good fit. So we moved on. We scheduled another consultation appointment ($300) with another clinic and felt a lot better about it. However, after some testing and a couple rounds of IUI, we didn’t feel like we were supported through the process, so we decided to move on again. This brought us to our third and final clinic, and another consultation appointment ($290). Third time is a charm! We finally founds the clinic that felt like the right fit. However, the total in consultation appointments alone is $990. This might sound like a lot, however finding the right clinic was not something I was willing to compromise on.
Treatment options, such as Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), are often the largest expense on one’s infertility journey. Each cycle of IUI and IVF entails expenses ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars, not including medications. My husband and I have completed there rounds of IUI, each round averaging about $400, after insurance. IVF is still on the horizon for us, however we have received an estimate from two separate clinics each one about $12,000, not including medications which typically range about $4,000-$6,000 depending on your individual treatment plan.
Beyond the large expense of treatment and testing lie the lesser known, yet equally significant financial burdens associated with infertility. Vitamins, supplements, different fertility trackers, acupuncture, and much more. Prenatal vitamins can range in price from $20-$60/month. The one I chose, and love, is $42 per month. I also take multiple other supplements on top of that, totaling around well over $100 a month. I definitely recommend really doing your research on vitmains/supplements and talking with your doctor. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with these. I also 100% believe in tracking your cycle. I chose to go with Tempdrop and do not regret it! This cost about $160 and an annual $35 fee for the annual premium subscription, which I beleive it definitely worth it. I splurged on acupuncture weekly for about 3 months, each appointment was $100 ($1,200 total). Ultimately, I didn’t feel like it was making a big enough impact for the investment.
Lastly, while I do work with a conventional fertility clinic, I also work simultaneously with a Napro (Natural Procreative) Doctor who can help support my pregnancy journey in a more holistic way. My goal with this approach is to dig deeper into finding a root cause. Often these doctors are not covered by insurance, however I was lucky enough to find one that was in network for us! The initial consultation, additional diagnostic testing and bloodwork, and GI testing, came to about $500. This doctor quickly helped me learn more about my cycle than I had with any other doctor previously, so immediately that cost was well worth it! I was able to take that information and change my diet/lifestyle for support my overall health. Even if we do proceed with IVF, I consider this a win!
So what’s our grand total after three years of infertility? Over $7,000. And we are preparing to quickly double as we get ready to start IVF. While these financial burdens of infertility may seem daunting, and they definitely are, it’s essential to recognize that investing in fertility is also an investment in one’s overall health and future. And despite the challenges, the desire for parenthood outweighs the financial sacrifices!
From diagnostic tests to complex treatments, the costs associated with infertility can clearly quickly escalate, placing a significant strain on individuals and families. Proactive financial planning is imperative for anyone embarking on this journey. Budgeting for potential expenses, exploring healthcare coverage options, and seeking financial assistance through grants or financing programs can alleviate some of the financial strain. It’s unfortunate that so many couples often have to dip deep into their savings just to have a baby. However, by acknowledging these financial realities, preparing accordingly, and advocating for greater access to fertility care, I hope we can work towards a future where the path to parenthood is more equitable and attainable for all.