Surge in couples seeking IVF as Sydney restrictions ease
By Heidi Krause|
With Sydney and many parts of NSW now officially out of lockdown, many couples are keen to start their families through IVF fertility treatment.
A bulk-billed Sydney IVF clinic has seen a huge surge in IVF interest during September and is expecting a further spike in October.
"We actually saw enquiries double during September off the back of the NSW Government releasing details of Freedom Day," Connect IVF CEO Brendan Ayres tells 9Honey Parenting.
READ MORE: Woman dies of cervical cancer after being misdiagnosed with early menopause
This increased demand was also, in part, due to the partial and temporary suspension of Sydney's public IVF clinics at hospitals like Westmead, Royal Hospital for Women and RPA Fertility Unit.
"We took on some public hospital patients who had their IVF treatments postponed as part of the government's suspension of non-essential surgery," Ayres said.
When the pandemic first hit in March 2020, fertility treatments were delayed for some patients, even at private clinics.
While delays were relatively short-lived, other challenges continued, such as patients being unable to bring their partners into treatments.
"During lockdown many patients started their IVF journey but were reluctant to undertake an IVF cycle due to uncertainty around their ability to travel outside their LGA and uncertainty over their job and their income post lockdown", explained Ayres.
However, that conversation has already turned around with many now looking to start their IVF cycle, now that lockdown has ended in NSW.
READ MORE: Moana Hope to start IVF for second child: 'It's my turn to carry now'
It's a trend that has been noted across the fertility industry.
"For many couples, COVID-19 has meant uncertainty, more people working from home but also made people value the family unit more than ever, with many bringing forward baby-making plans," medical director of Queensland Fertility Group Associate Professor Anusch Yazdani told 9Honey Parenting.
"We are hearing from patients that the overseas travel ban has meant funds normally devoted to holidays are now being allocated to health and fertility."
According to Ayres, nurses at Connect IVF heard first-hand the added stress COVID has placed on the mental and financial health of couples considering IVF.
"Time is a critical factor in fertility, which is why lockdown has been such a challenging time for those looking to start a family," he explained, with a message for hopeful couples.
"Don't put off starting a family if at all possible. Your fertility clock keeps ticking during COVID lockdowns."
Interestingly, there has also been a dramatic increase in women freezing their eggs due to COVD-19.
"The Queensland Fertility Group has experienced an 18 per cent increase in egg freezing in 2020 compared to 2019," said Professor Yazdani.
Experts believe this may be because dating was replaced by zooms during lockdowns and women had time to assess their priorities.
"With ongoing lockdowns the pandemic has created a 'pause' year for many women with less opportunities to form relationships จC but aging has not stopped!," Professor Yazdani said.
