29 October 2012

ART in Australia and New Zealand 2010

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IVF Australia

Professor Michael Chapman, senior fertility specialist of IVF Australia comments on the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report, Assisted reproductive technology in Australia and New Zealand 2010.

Professor Chapman said: “At IVF Australia, we are proud that our success rates for clinical pregnancies are significantly higher than the national average. The average age of our patients is 36, and in this age group our success rate is ten per cent higher than the national average. In fact, the national average results reflect our results for older women in their late thirties to early 40’s. We have achieved this even with our focus on single embryo transfer, which gives the highest chance of a healthy baby.

“Our multiple birth rate through the use of assisted reproductive therapy is also lower than the national average.  In women under 38 years of age, it is seven per cent, and in women over the age of 38, it falls to five per cent. While this is pleasing, we will continue to work hard to reduce this even further for the benefit our patients.

“The 13 per cent decrease in women using assisted reproductive therapy highlighted in this report occurred in the year changes to the Medicare rebates for IVF treatment were introduced.  This change in Government policy, that cost somewhere in the region of $50 million, resulted in around 1200 children not being conceived who might otherwise have been.

“We don’t believe that saving was justified. Within around three years of that child turning 21 and going out to work, they would probably have paid off the cost of their IVF cycle. Essentially the changes were a false economy, and have impacted on people who desperately want have children and just need some assistance in starting their family.”

One in six couples of reproductive age need some form of assistance to conceive and start the family they desire. For further information on fertility assessment and a personalized treatment plan call IVFAustralia on 1800 111 483.

Assisted reproductive technology in Australia and New Zealand 2010 media release

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For more information please contact Nicole Phillips or Hayley Dodman – 0408 280 499 / 02 9245 1629

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