24 Feb IVF EXPERIENCES
Couple A: The husband recounting their experience
We are a married couple who have been faced with the issue of infertility. In the last six months we’ve done two IVF (ICSI) procedures in a private hospital in Malta and both were unsuccessful. We feel that most people know very little about the feeling of loneliness and frustration the couple go through. For starters the woman suffers a lot physically – in our case my wife had to take three injections a day for a whole month together with other medications. Then there’s all the stress that comes with ultrasounds and knowing how high the chances of failure are. At the time the procedure was not offered on the NHS so we had the added burden of forking out more than Euro 5000 each time. Despite all this, we’re still intending to give it another try.
Couple B: Both husband and wife recounting their experience
We had been married for four years and couldn’t conceive so we sought medical advice to find out what was wrong. Very soon we were informed that there was in fact a fertility impediment so we tried Artificial Insemination and IVF Treatment. We sought advice from two different gynaecologists and also used the services of the Local State Hospital. During our visits to hospital we were concerned about the issue of privacy since infertility problems are dealt with in the same sections as those covering pregnant women. The uncomfortable and awkward feelings that take over when you’re in the waiting area are unimaginable. During our attempts with artificial insemination, the stress was mostly on the husband who had to produce semen samples either in cubicles that are nowhere private or equipped for such a purpose, or having to produce the sample at home and taking it in great hurry to the laboratory. Eventually we sought the advise of a therapist who helped us process and be prepared for the rollercoaster ride that is IVF. This was very helpful for us, as we had always told our families that it was our choice to remain childless. We did this because we did not want others to question our fertility and also because assisted reproductive treatments were not so morally accepted by our growing parents. After several failed attempts in Malta we opted for a clinic in the UK and the experience there was so different. Although the difference in cost was only a couple hundred sterling, our experience in the UK was excellent in terms of hospitality, advice and general care. Almost 12 years from our wedding day, we are now on our way of becoming parents for the first time.
