It is a blessing for every woman to give birth to her child. The introduction of IVF, or the In-Vitro Fertilisation process, has brought a ray of hope in the lives of many women struggling with infertility. It is one of the most common and effective assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. But the cost of it varies widely. Couples looking for cheap IVF treatment in Punjab often get confused about the overall cost of it. The estimated cost of this procedure can vary from Rs.1,20,000 to Rs.1,80,000, with or without involving other expenses. So, it is imperative to ponder upon certain essential factors that will affect the entire expense of your IVF treatment.
Here are the ten factors that everyone must consider when calculating the cost of the IVF process:
- Age and Overall Health of a Woman
The cost of your IVF treatment can be calculated by understanding the age and overall health of a woman. Women above 35 years require high doses of medication along with more cycles for a successful pregnancy. As per research, women above 38 years can produce 50% fewer oocytes, which are new embryos, as compared to women under 35 years. Plus, the underlying health issues like a fallopian tube, fibroid in the uterus, etc., need additional tests, monitoring, and medication while adding to the cost.
- Experience of IVF Clinic and Doctor
When looking for cheap IVF treatment in Punjab, the experience of the clinic and doctor matters the most. Clinics and doctors with great experience and reputations will charge more for their services than others. Thus, consider weighing the cost of the clinic against its success rate. This can offer you better value in the future.
- Fertility Treatment Approach
Different IVF clinics follow approaches like traditional IVF, mini IVF, and natural cycle IVF. Every approach comes with its set cost. Traditional IVF is expensive because of its high medication doses and necessary monitoring. Also, in some situations, donor eggs or sperm are mandatory in the fertility process; this can add to the overall cost of the IVF process.
- Required Diagnostic Tests
Couples on the path of IVF treatment also need to go through specific diagnostic tests starting. These tests are beneficial to assess their fertility status. Plus, blood tests, semen analysis, ultrasound scans, etc., are involved. The cost of these tests is estimated to be somewhere from Rs.25,000 to RS.35,000. The common diagnostic tests necessary before the IVF treatment are:
- Semen analysis costs around Rs.1000.
- Ovarian reserve testing costs around Rs.2500.
- Prolactin and thyroid stimulating costs around Rs.1000
- TSH costs around Rs.1500.
- Screening for infectious diseases costs around RS.7000.
- Ultrasound testing costs around Rs.1200.
- Hysteroscopy can cost around Rs.5000.
- Genetic testing can cost around Rs.15,500.
- Embryo Freezing and its Storage
Some couples choose to freeze and store their embryos. This is meant for their future security. The estimated cost of this depends on certain factors. It can cost around Rs.90,000 to Rs.1,50,000 each year. The egg-freezing process can take 2 to 3 weeks. Plus, depending on the storage method, the frozen embryo can last for more than 10 to 55 years.
- Medication Costing
The medication cost can vary significantly during the IVF cycle. On average, medications can add around 30% to the entire process cost. However, some clinics have medication discount programs to minimise the overall cost. The common medications used during the IVF process are supra cur, progynova, menopur, meridional, and many more.
- Other Treatments and Services
If you are following a PCOS treatment in Ludhiana or opting for other IVF services like genetic testing of embryos, embryo biopsy, assisted hatching, etc., it can increase the cost of the entire treatment. These services are optional but can be recommended depending on the history and age of a couple.
- Insurance Coverage
There are some cases when insurance coverage for IVF is possible and sometimes not. It is not guaranteed that every aspect of the process will be covered. Depending on the state, insurance companies offer coverage for fertility treatments, whereas some do not. Thus, it is imperative to speak with your insurance provider. Try to learn more about what will be covered and what other expenses you have to bear.
- Hospital Location
This might be a generic point, but it can have an impact on the treatment’s cost. Couples living in urban centres and metropolitan cities can experience high costs. For such people, an estimated IVF treatment cost can be around Rs.85,000 to Rs.1,20,000. Plus, depending on the area, the overall treatment cost can sometimes be around Rs.1,80,000 or even more. So, before finalising a doctor, ensure that you are satisfied with the location and the cost that comes with it.
- Post-IVF Process Care
After the IVF treatment, some couples might need to go through additional tests as well as monitoring. This is done to ensure a successful pregnancy result. The estimated cost of blood tests in an IVF treatment is Rs.2500. But when it comes to other tests like ultrasound, screening, etc., to keep a check on the fertility progress, the cost can go up. Also, the estimated cost of a fetus ultrasound can be Rs.3000, and after the IVF process, this test is required multiple times. The post-IVF procedure care costs can vary but must be pondered upon when calculating the overall IVF cost.
Conclusion
The entire cost of an IVF process depends on certain factors. You cannot ignore these factors and other treatment costs, such as PCOS treatment in Ludhiana. Understanding them will help you prepare for your fertility journey while focusing on the finances. Moreover, it is imperative to have an open discussion with your fertility clinic or IVF hospital to learn about the costs and affordable IVF treatment plans and understand their methods of operation.