Fertility clinics lobby Government for rethink on IVF ban

Three Adelaide fertility clinics have joined forces to call on the State Government to allow women who don’t have time to wait to access IVF despite the elective surgery ban.

Christina, of Vale Park, wants IVF services to be reinstated in SA.

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Three Adelaide fertility clinics have lodged a proposal with the State Government that would allow certain women to start IVF treatment despite a ban on elective surgery.

In a show of unity, rival clinics Repromed, Flinders Fertility and Family Fertility Centre have written a joint letter to Health Minister Stephen Wade, urging him to consider their plan.

Fertility services were cancelled after the Federal Government announced on March 25 that elective surgery, with some exceptions, would be indefinitely banned in a bid to free up hospital beds and medical resources in preparation for a possible escalation in coronavirus cases.

However, on April 2, the State Government announced women who were in the middle of an IVF round when the ban was introduced would be permitted to complete their cycle.

Under the fertility clinics’ proposal, women whose chances of having a baby would be adversely affected by a delay in IVF treatment would also be exempt.

These are:

THOSE aged 38 years and over.

WOMEN with a low ovarian reserve (low egg reserve).

THOSE with a family history on premature menopause.

FEMALES who have had a previous poor response to IVF treatment when given the maximum amount of stimulation drugs.

THOSE whose mental health would be negatively affected by waiting, such as women who had experienced miscarriage or a stillbirth.

However, patients who would be considered high risk, including women likely to suffer from ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, those with medical comorbidity, and females with a body mass index of more than 40, would not be eligible for the proposed exemption.

This is because these women are at greatest risk of complications and may require hospitalisation while undergoing treatment – Something the clinics wish to avoid to ensure hospital beds remain available for COVID-19 patients.

IVF procedures are completed at fertility clinics or at day surgery facilities, not hospitals.

The medical director of each fertility clinic would be responsible for screening patients to determine their eligibility.

Flinders Fertility chief executive officer Lee Battye said the proposal aimed to give hope to women who may lose their chance at having a baby if they were forced to delay IVF treatment.

“If (the ban) carries on for 12 to 18 months … then that’s going to have a serious impact on quite a lot of people,” she said.

“Let’s just prioritise patients who may not have another shot if they don’t have treatment in the next three to six months.

“We’re not trying to jump the queue – We’re just trying to make sure those patients can get that treatment.”

Repromed medical director Professor Kelton Tremellen urged the Government to implement the proposal.

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“I think the Government is doing a really good job … but if they take this (ban) too far for too long. I think they’re going to do more harm than good,” he said.

“We understand that IVF is not lifesaving treatment but it is new life creating treatment and it’s life changing treatment for these prospective parents.”

Professor Tremellen said the plan would not have an impact on the state’s preparedness for the coronavirus.

“We’re not calling for a wholesale lifting of the ban – We’re probably only looking at a quarter of all IVF patients,” he said.

Christina, who asked that her last name be withheld, is turning 39 soon, has underlying fertility issues and recently experienced a miscarriage.

She fears that time is running out to have a baby, and hopes the Government accepts the proposal.

“(My situation) could turn south at any time,” Christina, of Vale Park, said.

“My mum had a hysterectomy at 38.

“I really want to have my own child. I know that the clock is ticking and it is really frustrating that it’s out of my control.”

Karen Butler, 32, of Smithfield Plains, has had three miscarriages and has a low egg reserve.

She urged the authorities to reverse support the proposal.

“How would you feel if you were told you could not have a family at all because someone has put a ban on it? Put yourself in our shoes,” she said.

Ms Butler has started a change.org petition, calling on the Government lift the ban.

As of Friday, it had attracted more than 1200 signatures.

Labor MLC Emily Bourke is also backing the clinics.

“For many, delaying IVF treatment will be devastating and will exacerbate any anxiety they are already experiencing,” she wrote in a letter to Mr Wade.

“For a small group of women, waiting a month or two will result in their IVF journey coming to an abrupt end, along with the chance of parenthood.”

A spokesman for Health Minister Stephen Wade referred the Sunday Mail’s request for comment to SA Health and State Coordinator Grant Stevens.

SA Health said it would “continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19 and its impact on our health service”.

“Any changes (to IVF) will be made in line with national guidelines,” it said in a statement.

Mr Stevens did not respond by the Sunday Mail’s deadline.