A recent investigation into IVF Clinics by the Australian Media has highlighted the IVF Clinics and their marketing strategies. Do they make too many promises? Is it considered misleading, once you look at the statistics? For all the emotive language, imagery and some couple's unwavering commitment to their fertility plans, can the marketing and business of IVF be taking advantage of people? The Australian Competitor and Consumer Commission (ACCC) are taking a closer look.
The 7.30 Report on the ABC revealed the aggressive marketing campaigns, misleading success rates within the IVF Industry. What they described as a cut-throat industry between IVF Clinics, they took a look at what various Australian IVF clinics were claiming they could do to stand out and make their point of difference known.
Quoting the 730 Report article: "With Medicare last year paying $242,187,102 in rebates for assisted reproductive technologies, and almost 34,000 women seeking fertility treatment, IVF has become big business". [pullquote align="left" cite="" link="" color="" class="" size=""]IVF has become big business.[/pullquote]
And indeed it has. Even the ACCC Chairman Mr Michael Sims said of IVF Clinics in Australia: "I think they are, in many cases, quite desperate to get people's business and I think, on the receiving end, the consumers, many of them are quite vulnerable."
What are the ethical considerations in this debate? Of course people should know what they are signing up for, what are their potential chances. But even Nature isn't that predictable. Even with IVF, there is no guarantee of conceiving and then delivering successfully.
And what is considered success? Is success, just conceiving? Or is success, conceiving, carrying to full term and delivering a healthy baby?
[pullquote align="right" cite="" link="" color="" class="" size=""]For couples trying to conceive and struggling, this is much more than just getting pregnant, its delivering a healthy baby.[/pullquote]
For those that have had no challenges conceiving, it's hard to empathise how big a deal it is for those struggling to reach a milestone of a positive pregnancy test result. We each have our own journey, challenges and hurdles, but for those using IVF, there is still no certainty on the process. And this is why looking at the Live Birth Rates within an IVF clinic is crucial.
We recommend to:
- Do your research. Make an informed decision, rather than accept a claim without evidence or questioning.
- When looking at IVF Clinics; Check Live birth rates statistics, not % success rates alone.
- Implement some pre-conception care plan prior to attempting IVF to improve your overall health and wellbeing to put yourself in the best possible position to conceive. This could include consulting an Acupuncturist, Nutritionist or Naturopath, as these modalities can help with lifestyle advice to optimise hormones and improve egg quality.
- Avoid things that can impair your fertility such as smoking, drugs or drinking alcohol.
- Seek medical advice with your GP first before consulting a Fertility Specialist.
- Get your AMH levels tested to find out your Ovarian Reserve
- Deal with any underlying medical histories before attempting IVF- either under guidance from your GP or a Natural Health Professional such as PCOS, Endometriosis or Fibroids. This way, when you come to IVF, you already have a thorough knowledge of your medical history and hormones.
To read the full article from the ABC 7.30 Report, click here.
To read more of my related blogposts on IVF & Acupuncture, click here or here.
For any questions you have regarding Acupuncture support during an IVF cycle, please email me on info@springfertility.com.au or take a look at my pre-purchase packages for IVF support in my shop here or embryo transfer packages here.
