In-Vitro Fertility Treatments May Cost $100, 000 or More: The Financial Realities

Because I had to undergo fertility treatments in order to have one of our children, I know that fertility treatments can be costly. But I'd undergone fertility treatments many years ago so the costs had been significantly different then. Also, they'd been relatively low-tech because I'd only had a few shots of Clomid before pregnancy occurred (it was a high-risk pregnancy but that is another story). I did not have an in-vitro fertilization.

Before I'd gotten pregnant, we'd discussed other options such as in-vitro fertilization and surrogate mothers but we weren't so comfortable with those alternatives. We were getting counseling about the ethics of various options when pregnancy occurred. I'm relieved I could stop taking shots and start preparing for a new baby. The result? A healthy baby.

I've followed information on fertility treatments and pregnancy ever since my pregnancy, just in case fertility issues run in the family. The information could be something one of our children needs at some point. Also, for unknown reasons, fertility rates for the general population may be going down. Reports on this differ.

A recent article caught my eye: www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSKRA87734120080208 . According to information at Reuter's, if a couple has a less than 15% chance of having a baby naturally (or without fertility treatments) the cost of using technology to assist pregnancy or reproduction may well exceed $100,000. That is a staggering sum.

To put it in perspective, the average cost for the first year of a chiid's life is about $11,000. This would be for a child born in 2007 to two parents who make an income of between $38,000 and $64,000. To get calculations based on your situation and income, look here: www.babycenter.com/cost-of-raising-child-calculator