Gazillion questions-Help appreciated!

Hey Ladies,

Right, now that I have had a while to let our news sink in I am going into 'planning mode'!

I have a few questions that you may be able to answer if possible?
We did ask questions at our appointment but I think I was in shock because nothing made sense to me!

Questions I have are:
1. How does the public funding work?

2. Does the funding cover EVERYTHING!? Are there any extras we will need to pay for we should know about? Do they refund Fertility costs to date or is it only for the actualy procedure itself?

3. We have been told to expect approx an 18 month wait in Akl - Have people found that to be about right or did it come around quicker or were there delays?

4. In the big scheme of things this sounds ridiculously trivial, but how much does it hurt? I'm 100% totally & stupidly scared of needles and as stupid as it sounds, this one one of my concerns! Lucky I have 18 months to get over that, or try!

4. If we have any freezable eggs, what is the process with them should Cycle 1 of ICSI be unsuccessful?

5. If we are successful Cycle 1 of ICSI does that mean we are required to privately fund the next round should we want to TTC Baby no 2?

6. From start to finish, how long does each cycle take?

7. Is anyone going through F.A Akl?

8. Does anyone know where I can find info on adoption processes and info for in NZ?

I think thats it for now. I feel like a complete moron but this is totally new to us - Is there a "ICSI for Dummies' book out there yet?


Thanks in advance & good luck to everyone else in this thread

Edited by Parki

Hi Parki,

I am new at this too so can't answer too many questions for you sorry, but here goes

No. 1   http://www.fertilityassociates.co.nz/Paying-for-treatment/Public-funding-and-eligibility.aspx

The above should take you to FA website and explain the critera and points system.

No. 3 Not sure about the wait in Auck but in Wellington DH and I have had to wait 8 mths, originally it was 10 mths. We start in June 09

Hope this helps

All the best

1. If you go onto the Fertility Assicociates website it explains all the funding regulations there.

2. My DH and I got prublic funding... and we havent had to pay a cent.... drugs, scans (at Fert Ass) etc...


4. Im pretty sure everyone has a different experience... mine wasnt so flash (the egg harvesting part) but my sister in law has done it as well and she bearly felt a thing... I also think that it depends on the amount of eggs your ovaries produce...we got 21 and it was very painful and my SIL only had 3 and didnt feel much at all... but in saying that it does only last 15mins MAX!

4. every egg that is to the quality they need will be fertilized on the day of harvesting... some will bet let to continue on till day3. Once fertilized succesfully they will be frozen and then thawed as required at a later date.

5. Hmmm not 100% on this one... we got preg from our 1st TER but sadly lost bubs at 23 1/2 weeks and we have bee told that every one of those eggs retreived and frozen from that public funded cycle will be under public funding. So not sure on that you you concieve and baby survives....sorry.

6. Yeap like ScardeyCat said... it varies from person to person....some respond well to drugs and other dont.

7. Sorry we are going through Hamilton too.

And dont be silly about all the questions...you dont know unless you ask! Another good idea is to talk to the counseller that the clinic provides... they know all the ins and outs of all the questions you have just asked..this is no charge im sure of that!

Good Luck!
Sarahlou