Journey to motherhood…. IVF round 2

Hi All,

We are the Dawkins! We’ve been together for almost 20 years and have been working on building a family for almost 5 years. We tried the natural way, semi-natural (taking clomid and monitoring ovulation), and after finding that my fallopian tubes were blocked have decided to try IVF before trying to adopt. (Which is another very long and costly process) I had no one in my life who’s actually had to go through this journey so other than the internet I had no idea what to expect. We were very fortunate that we had 32 eggs retrieved which turned into 10 embryos!

Unfortunately the first round wasn’t successful. We have 9 embryos left which is still very good. I had no idea how little if anything insurance covers. In our case only 2 medications (the least expensive of course) were covered. One medication was $4000 alone! We applied for a card we thought would absorb the bulk of the cost and found out days before (the clinic had a terrible financial counselor who was unsurprisingly let go) my egg retrieval the clinic didn’t take it. Our family helped cover the cost of the egg retrieval with medications came to about $24,000.

We had already paid to freeze the eggs and had to take a financial break before attempting the embryo transfer. The transfer is $4250 not including medications. You’re required to take a hysteroscopy every 6 months which is about $650. Medications for the transfer portion isn’t as expensive as the egg retrieval and I’m not sure exactly what that is (we paid for retrieval and transfer medications at the same time) but I’m pretty sure it’s under $1500. The initial sonogram and bloodwork also for some reason isn’t included and that’s another $675.

We’re asking for help for the cost of only the transfer. We are hopeful for success but are prepared to do as many transfers we can emotionally, physically, and financially handle. In order to help with the stress about cost we’re asking for anything even if it’s words of encouragement. I’m shocked at the lack of assistance insurance gives you and how expensive medications are and the fact that you can’t resell or return excess is understandable in some cases but not in this one.

Our goal the second round is to hopefully pay for a PGT test which would increase the chances of having a viable embryo. The cost of this test is $900 and we just couldn’t pull that off the first time with out asking for more from our already generous family.

If we are successful or if I have left over embryos, I would like to donate them. I know surrogacy is way beyond our financial reach and if I could give someone else a chance at carrying a child that would fill some of the void in me I can’t.

I’m 39 so I know my body only has so much it can give towards this process. We have looked into adoption and understand the cost and time needed for that process as well. My oldest brother was adopted so that’s definitely something we’re hopeful for as well if a biological child isn’t meant for us. The adoption process isn’t easy but our goal is to love a child and hope and pray we get that chance. I’ve been blessed with several nieces and nephews as well as a beautiful stepdaughter. I’m grateful for everyone in my life who has supported and loves us no matter the results of our journey.

Thank You for reading, anything is appreciated even if it’s advice.

Thanks again,

Charlandria & Travis Dawkins