introduction to fertility treatment for the … · introduction to fertility treatment for the...

INTRODUCTIONto

FERTILITY TREATMENTFoR ThE LGBTI CoMMuNITY

your dream - our passion

32 INTRODUCTION TO FERTILITY TREATMENT INTRODUCTION TO FERTILITY TREATMENT

PeRsONalIseD CaRe 6

Why ChOOse RaINbOW FeRTIlITy? 7

GeTTING sTaRTeD 8

hOW We CaN helP yOU bUIlD yOUR FamIly 10

FamIly bUIlDING FOR lesbIaNs 11

Explore your options 12

Fertility preservation: egg freezing 14

Donor program 16

FamIly bUIlDING FOR Gay meN 17


Fertility preservation: sperm freezing 20

FamIly bUIlDING FOR TRaNsGeNDeR PeOPle 21


Fertility preservation: egg/embryo and sperm freezing 24

Possible treatment options 25

Donor program 26

FamIly bUIlDING FOR INTeRseX PeOPle 27


esseNTIal ReaDING 29

Things to think about 30

Support services 31

Legal considerations for users of our donor/surrogacy program 32

A guide to Rainbow Fertility costs 34

Quality service 36

CoNTENTs

Rainbow Fertility is the first dedicated fertility and IVF service provider in Australia to cater exclusively for the LGBTI community. If you’re looking to build a family, we can help.

Whether you’re in a relationship, or going it alone, there are a range of options available that can help you realise your dream. At Rainbow Fertility, our specialists have extensive experience in helping create LGBTI families throughout Australia. Through knowledge, compassion and understanding, we’ll work with you to find out the best way for you to build a family, whether you’re ready now, or want to explore the possibility in the future. Combining excellent medical care with support

Everyone deserves the right to experience the

joys of parenthood.

from people who understand the needs of the LGBTI community, whatever your personal circumstances, at Rainbow Fertility, we’ll do all we can to help you bring a child into the world.

This guide contains information about fertility, conception and fertility services specifically for LGBTI individuals and couples looking to build a family. It will help you get to grips with the potential paths to parenthood available with Assisted Conception and enable you to make a more informed decision about the options that could be right for you.

WelCOme TORAINBow FERTILITY


Our mission is to provide compassionate and

exceptional care with dignity and respect to all couples and individuals.

Our mission is to provide compassionate and

exceptional care with dignity and respect to all couples and individuals.

Why ChOOse

RAINBow FERTILITY?

We understand that LGBTI families can encounter confusion and misunderstanding from others, sometimes even from medical professionals.

That’s why it’s not only vital that you can trust us from day one, but are confident our doctors will do their best to help you achieve parenthood.

With extensive medical and emotional support, our fertility care is free from judgment. Whether they’re specialists, clinic staff or counsellors, our dedicated team is committed to compassionate and inclusive care, whatever your sexual orientation or gender identity.

Members of our staff have substantial experience in helping create LGBTI families and have also taken the time to attend LGBTI seminars and events to get a deeper understanding of the unique challenges you sometimes face.

You’ll always feel like an individual, not a number.

The personal touchWhatever your personal circumstances, you’ll be treated with compassion and the utmost respect from day one. You’ll always feel like an individual, not a number.

World-class medical facilitiesOur RTAC (Reproductive Technology Accredited Committee) accredited fertility clinics have some of the best specialised fertility laboratories in the world. Together, we pride ourselves on maintaining state-of-the-art equipment and the highest standards. With an open-lab policy, you’ll have access to the labs and our scientists, so you can get a full understanding of the process we go through to help you build a family. If you’re exploring the possibility of IVF, you’ll be reassured to hear that success rates have significantly improved in recent years, thanks to advances in freezing technology using vitrification. As a result we can offer our patients both day 3 and day 5 embryo transfers.

Clear, up-front costsWe understand the journey to parenthood can be a stressful one, so we don’t want to add to it with financial worries. That’s why we’re always clear and up-front about pricing, with no hidden fees or registration costs for standard IVF services.

Building a family is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make. That’s why it’s so important to choose the right team and the right pathway to parenthood.

As the first dedicated fertility and IVF service provider in Australia to cater exclusively for the LGBTI community, we offer an unrivalled understanding of the challenges you can sometimes face, from the physiological to the psychological.

Many of our specialists have undergone training to better appreciate the diversity and unique needs of LGBTI families. This understanding, alongside outstanding medical expertise, makes us the first choice for many LGBTI individuals and couples looking to build a family.

At Rainbow Fertility we don’t define how a family “should” be; we focus on helping people create one of their own. It’s a view shared by everyone who works for us, giving you the freedom to concentrate on your goal, knowing you’ll be treated with compassion, care and understanding, every step of the way.

PeRsONalIseD CARE

Take the first step and contact our friendly team 1300 222 623 | [email protected]


People find us at different stages of their family-building journey. However far along you are, we can offer you insights and advice to help get you there.

Come along to a free information sessionIf you’re interested in finding out more about treatment options and what they involve, we recommend coming along to one of our free information sessions, where you can talk to some of our specialists, scientists and nurses face-to-face. These sessions are designed to give you a better understanding of what’s involved in fertility treatment and what you can expect. Rest assured, you won’t be under any pressure to start treatment.

Book an appointment with one of our specialists If you’ve done your research, and are ready to take the first steps towards building a family, then you can book an appointment with one of our accredited specialists. In order to do so, you must first obtain a referral from your GP.

To make things easy, we’ve included a referral form in the Introduction Pack for you. Just take this to your GP and ask them to fill it in for you. You can usually claim some of the consultation cost back from Medicare if you’re referred to us by your GP, so we recommend you talk to them first. You can contact our Fertility Advice Team on: 1300 222 623 or email: [email protected] for recommendations on a suitable GP for you. Our team will be more than happy to help.

While you’re waiting for your GP referral, you’re welcome to book a time to meet with a specialist. As long as your referral is dated prior to the date of your first appointment, you’ll be able to claim some of the consultation cost back through Medicare.

Whether you’ve met with other specialists, or this is your first time talking to someone about building a family, you’ll receive a comprehensive approach to diagnosis and treatment, tailored to your individual needs.

GeTTING

sTARTEd

Register online for an information session near yourainbowfertility.com.au

At Rainbow Fertility, we strive to give you clear and comprehensive information, helping you make well-informed decisions about the best way forward.

What to expect in the initial consultationDuring your appointment with a Rainbow Fertility specialist, they’ll get to know you better and discuss some of the potential options available. You (and your partner if you have one) will be asked questions about your circumstances, known medical conditions and medical history.

Following your initial consultation you’ll have a clear

understanding of the process and approach best-suited to your needs. We’ll also discuss any diagnostic tests that we may need to carry out.

Some of the tests or further investigations that your specialist may recommend include:

• Blood hormone testing

• Pathology screenings

• Pelvic ultrasound

• Laparoscopic surgery

• Semen analysis

Ask us a questionIf you have any questions, or just want to talk to someone about your situation, feel free to contact our friendly staff and they will do all they can to help.

We can help you explore your desire to build a family with open arms and an open mind, so you

can talk to us in confidence.


Our true measure of success is when you take home your

beautiful baby to love.

FamIly bUIlDING FOR

LEsBIANshOW We CaN helP yOU

BuILd YouR FAMILY

Over the following pages we cover the ART treatments and services we offer to assist you in your path to

parenthood with us.

FAMILY BuILdING FoR LEsBIANs

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FAMILY BuILdING FoR GAY MEN

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FAMILY BuILdING FoR TRANsGENdER pEopLE

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Advances in reproductive technologies mean there’s never been a better time to fulfill your dream of building a family. From fertility treatments and preservation, to donor programs, donor insemination, IVF and surrogacy, there are more options than ever for LGBTI individuals and couples wanting to become parents and have a biological connection to a child.

However, it’s important to remember that anyone can be affected by infertility. For most of our patients, this may be the first time they attempt conception. This means there is a chance there could be an undiagnosed problem that only comes to light after starting the family building process with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). But don’t worry; should we discover any problems, we’ll work with you to explore possible solutions.

FAMILY BuILdING FoR INTERsEx pEopLE

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eXPlORe yOUR

opTIoNs

There are many options available for lesbians to start a family with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). Your personal circumstances, medical history and previous care will determine the type of treatment recommended by your specialist. If you’re considering pursuing family building through ART, you (and your partner) will need to select a sperm donor, and decide who will carry the pregnancy.

Your Rainbow Fertility specialist may recommend that you begin with more conservative fertility management such as Donor Insemination (DI), which is less invasive and of lower cost. Please refer to our explanation of treatments below for further information regarding these procedures.

Donor Insemination (DI)Donor Insemination (DI) is a fertility procedure in which frozen donor sperm is thawed and inserted into the uterus of the woman carrying the pregnancy, by Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI). A fine tube is inserted into the opening of the uterus (cervix) and the prepared sperm is gently transferred. Insemination is timed around the time of ovulation, in order to achieve a pregnancy. However, if there is difficulty with ovulation, eggs can be released using a HCG Trigger injection. This procedure is usually carried out in the specialist’s rooms, you do not need anaesthetic and you will be home the same day.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) Usually known by its initials, IVF is used to treat a fertility problem that has failed to respond to other medical or surgical interventions.

During an IVF cycle your ovaries are stimulated to produce more eggs than in a natural cycle. The eggs are then collected in a minor procedure, which requires a general anaesthetic.

The eggs are then fertilised with donor sperm in a laboratory and the resulting embryos are incubated for two to five days. The healthiest embryo is transferred into the uterus, in a simple outpatient procedure. The good-quality embryos that are not transferred, can be frozen for use in the future.

IVF success ratesAt Rainbow Fertility we believe we can offer you the best possible chance to achieve a pregnancy. Our dedicated team can provide tailored fertility treatment in a compassionate and supportive environment, backed up by state-of-the-art laboratories. We’re proud of the track record of our RTAC (Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee) accredited fertility clinics, but the true measure of our success will be when you take home your beautiful baby to love. IVF success rates have significantly improved over recent years, largely thanks to advances in freezing technology using vitrification. As a result, we can offer our patients both day 3 and day 5 (blastocyst) embryo transfers. This flexibility allows your Rainbow Fertility specialist to tailor your treatment plan to your specific situation and provide you with the best chance of success.

For more information1300 222 623 | [email protected] | rainbowfertility.com.au

Success rates are useful for giving an indication of your chances of achieving a pregnancy. However, please remember, every case is different, so your own chances of success may vary. Our specialist will give you a personalised assessment of your likelihood of conceiving, but general factors which may influence your chances of success include:

• Age

• Medical history

• Genetic factors

• Lifestyle factors (including smoking and weight)

Please refer to our website for our current success rates.

Partner IVFPartner IVF is a type of IVF for lesbian couples (not experiencing infertility) that enables both partners to become physically involved in the conception of their baby.

In this option, the eggs are retrieved from one partner and fertilised with donor sperm. The resulting embryo is transferred into the uterus of the other partner, who then carries the pregnancy. Many couples opt to repeat the process in reverse when trying for another child. Because both partners are physically involved in the pregnancy, it can create much stronger feelings of connection to both the pregnancy itself and ultimately the child. The process of Partner IVF is almost identical to the standard IVF process.

Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)ICSI is a technique developed to maximise the chance of fertilisation, where a single sperm is injected directly into an egg. As with IVF, once the egg is fertilised, the resulting embryos are incubated and then the healthiest embryo is transferred into the uterus of the partner carrying the baby.

Any additional embryos created can be frozen for additional attempts if the initial procedure is unsuccessful, or for use in the future, if the woman wishes to have more children.

Additional treatment options with IVFThere are a number of treatment options that can be considered when undergoing IVF in order to improve your chances of pregnancy. Below are some alternative options that your treating specialist may advise to include. Should they apply to you, we’ll be sure to explain them to you in more detail.

• Blastocyst stage: extended culture (day 5 or day 6 embryo transfer)

• Use of embryo transfer media

• Assisted hatching

• Genetic testing: Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD).

With a little help and the right support, you’ll be on your way to building a loving family of your own.

pLEAsE NoTE:

• Women contemplating fertility treatment should be aware of the possible risks, some of which are comparable to those of elective surgery. We encourage you to discuss these with your treating specialist.

• all treatment procedures are carried out in our RTaC (Reproductive Technology accreditation Committee) accredited fertility clinics, where gametes (eggs/sperm) and embryos are also stored.


Some women may consider egg freezing for a number of reasons, and it can potentially be helpful if:

• You want to try and have children at a later date.

• You want to delay motherhood until you’ve found the right partner.

• You may have a genetic disorder which could limit your fertility.

• You have cancer and may need to undergo chemotherapy.

The processEgg freezing involves a woman’s mature eggs being developed and removed using standard IVF techniques. This process typically involves three stages of treatment: Pituitary Suppression, Ovarian Stimulation, and Egg Retrieval.

“Vitrification” is the method used for freezing eggs. This process involves the egg(s) being cooled so rapidly that they instantly solidify into a “glass-like” structure. This speed means water molecules do not have time to form ice crystals, which can damage the egg. The concept is based upon the idea that if the cell is dehydrated to a certain degree, and then cooled fast enough, everything will “freeze” in place and damage will not have time to occur.

When the woman is ready to use the frozen eggs, the eggs are thawed, fertilised with donor sperm and embryos are created. The embryo is transferred into the uterus of the woman carrying the pregnancy. Any additional embryos created can be frozen for further attempts if the initial procedure is unsuccessful, or for use in the future if the woman wishes to have more children.

Fertility preservation

egg freezing

Feel free to contact our friendly team for further information and to learn about the fertility treatment options available to you

1300 222 623 | [email protected]

At Rainbow Fertility, our specialists have extensive experience in helping

to create LGBTI families.


We hope we’ve given you an insight into the journey ahead and answered any questions you may have.

Feel free to contact our friendly team for further information and to discuss any questions you may have:


Donor program

ThINGs To ThINk ABouTGet an idea of the questions you should ask yourself when considering conception through Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART).

View page 30

Essential Reading

suppoRT sERvICEsRemember, you’re not alone. our team will be with you every step of the way with all the care and support you need. Get more information on our support services.

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LEGAL CoNsIdERATIoNswhen conceiving using a donor it’s important to know the rights of all parties involved.

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As a gay man, whether you’re single or in a relationship, if you’ve got a

surrogate willing to carry a pregnancy, we can help make it happen.

FamIly bUIlDING FOR

GAY MEN

One of the first things a prospective mother undergoing fertility treatment will need to do is choose a sperm donor. Sperm donors are classified as either “known” or “unknown”.

Known sperm donor – this is where the identity of the donor is known by the woman undergoing treatment.

Unknown (clinic-recruited) sperm donor – this is where the identity of the donor is not known by the woman undergoing treatment.

At Rainbow Fertility, if you already have a “known” donor we will be happy to work with him. Alternatively, we will help you find a suitable one from our available clinic-recruited donors.

Whether working with known or unknown sperm donors, the clinic follows a thorough process of preparation for women using donated sperm. This involves comprehensive medical assessment, detailed screening, a consenting process and counselling of all parties involved in the sperm donation.

To help lesbian women in their attempt to become parents, the clinic runs a sperm, egg and embryo donor program. We understand that choosing a donor can be difficult, so we have a dedicated and experienced donor team to offer guidance and support throughout the process.


Using an egg donor To conceive through surrogacy, you need to choose an egg donor. Egg donors are classified as either “known” or “unknown” depending on the type of relationship you have with them.

Known egg donor - this is where the identity of the donor is known by the potential parents and is typically a friend or relative.

Unknown (clinic-recruited) egg donor - this is where a woman generously volunteers to undergo IVF procedures to provide eggs for a surrogate. In the case of a clinic-recruited donor, the recipient does not know the donor.

The centre has an Egg Donor program is available to try to encourage more donors and assist gay men in their attempt to become parents. For more information and link to the Egg Donors Australia program please visit the Using an Egg Donor section on our website.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) for the egg donorIVF means “fertilisation in glass.” It involves the fertilisation of donor eggs by sperm of the intended gay parent in an incubator outside the body. The healthiest embryo resulting from insemination is transferred into the uterus of the surrogate. In the case of male infertility which cannot be successfully treated, donor sperm may be needed to conceive.

Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) for the surrogateA surrogate is required to undergo a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle to achieve a pregnancy.

This involves the use of thawed embryos frozen in a previous egg donor’s IVF cycle and transfer of the embryo into the uterus of the surrogate.

Additional treatment options with IVFThe chances of a successful pregnancy can be improved with a number of treatment options when undergoing IVF (Egg Donor) and Frozen Embryo Transfer (Surrogate). The choice of one particular procedure will depend on your egg donor and/or surrogate’s personal circumstances, medical condition, genetic factors, and previous care.

Some alternative options that your treating specialist might advise include:

• Blastocyst stage: extended culture (day 5 or day 6 embryo transfer)

• Use of embryo transfer media

• Assisted hatching

• Genetic testing: Pre-implantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)

If you’ve decided you want a genetic link to your child, you’ll also need an egg donor. She may be the surrogate herself, or a friend or family member. Some gay couples are lucky enough to have a female family member willing to donate an egg or carry the pregnancy. This means one partner can provide the sperm, while the other’s relative provides the egg. As a result, both partners can have a genetic link to the pregnancy.

Important. Due to state legislation, gay men cannot access surrogacy in South australia. and in Victoria, the surrogate cannot also be the egg donor, so the surrogate and the egg donor must be two differentwomen.

SurrogacySurrogacy refers to an arrangement whereby a woman (the surrogate) agrees to conceive, carry and birth a child for others (the commissioning or intended parent/s) to raise. A surrogate can help either gay couples or single gay men in their attempt to become parents.

There are two main types of surrogacy:

Traditional surrogacy

Here, the surrogate provides her own eggs, and carries the pregnancy, so is genetically related to the child. With traditional surrogacy the surrogate can achieve a pregnancy through Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) or IVF with sperm from the intended gay parent(s), or from a sperm donor.

Gestational surrogacy

In this case, the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby as the egg is provided from a separate egg donor. Through the process of IVF the egg is fertilised in the lab with sperm from the intended gay parent(s), or from a sperm donor. The embryo created is then placed into the uterus of the gestational surrogate to achieve a pregnancy.

Some gay male parents find an egg donor and surrogate through family, friends, colleagues or support groups.

Arranging surrogacy can be a challenge in many countries, including Australia. And while we can’t directly help you find a surrogate, we can provide some links to organisations that may be able to help. Please refer to the Surrogacy section on our website for more information and useful links. Our dedicated staff will be with you every step of the way to offer support throughout your journey.

eXPlORe yOUR

opTIoNs

Important. any embryos created must be quarantined for six months. at the end of the six-month quarantine period, the egg donor and biological potential father (who provided the sperm) are contacted toreturnforfinalscreeningteststoallowclearanceoftheembryosforuse.Theembryoscanonlybeused with the surrogate if the results of all the screening tests are negative. this ensures that none of the infectious agents tested for can be passed on to the surrogate. at all times the health and safety of our donors, surrogate and recipients are of our primary concern.

pLEAsE NoTE:

• Women contemplating fertility treatment should be aware of the possible risks, some of which are comparable to those of elective surgery. We encourage you to discuss these with your treating specialist.



Sperm freezing and storage is the procedure of freezing sperm cells to preserve them for future use. The process has been around for over 40 years. By using special technologies, and storing sperm in liquid nitrogen (-196°C), it can be safely preserved for many years, while maintaining its viability.

Some men choose to freeze their sperm for surgical or medical reasons, while others simply want to preserve fertility until they’re ready to start a family.

A number of things can affect fertility, including age, treatment for a serious illness (like cancer), high-risk occupations and sports, or erectile difficulty. Freezing healthy sperm now can help safeguard against potential problems in the future.

FeRTIlITy PReseRvaTION

spERM FREEzING

ThINGs To ThINk ABouTGet an idea of the questions you should ask yourself when considering conception through Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART).

View page 30

Essential Reading


View page 31


View page 32

However you identify at Rainbow Fertility, we can help you explore your

desire to build a family.

FamIly bUIlDING FOR

TRANsGENdER pEopLE





eXPlORe yOUR

opTIoNs

However you identify at Rainbow Fertility, we can help you explore your desire to build a family.

Whatever stage of the journey you’re at, our dedicated specialists and staff members will welcome you with open arms, and an open mind, so you can talk to us in confidence. We’ll be able to discuss the options available to you, based on your own unique circumstances.

Before hormone therapy and/or Sex-Reassignment Surgery (SRS)The routes to parenthood are different for everyone and will vary depending on your current situation.

Please consider preserving your fertility prior to hormone therapy. For further information refer to page 24 of this handbook.

After hormone therapy and/or Sex-Reassignment Surgery (SRS)If you’ve already undergone hormone surgery and/or SRS the routes to parenthood include the following options:

If you’re a birth-designated male

• partnered with a woman – you’ll need to explore Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) using frozen sperm.

• Single, or partnered with a man - you’ll need to explore IVF with an egg donor and surrogate using frozen sperm.

You can use your own sperm if you have frozen a sample before your hormone therapy and/or sex-reassignment surgery. Alternatively, you can use donor sperm (either from a known donor or a clinic-recruited/unknown donor).

If you’re a birth-designated female

• Single, or partnered with a man – you’ll need to explore IVF with an egg donor and surrogate using frozen sperm. If you had embryos frozen before hormone therapy and/or SRS, you have the option to use them for a Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) to a gestational surrogate.

If you have had some of your eggs frozen, these can be thawed and inseminated with either donor or partner sperm, before being transferred to a surrogate.

• partnered with a woman – if you have frozen embryos for use, you can have them transferred to your partner to carry the pregnancy. If you have frozen eggs available, these can be thawed and inseminated with either known or unknown (clinic-recruited) donor sperm to create embryos. The embryos can then be transferred to your partner to carry the pregnancy. If your partner does not wish to carry the pregnancy or is unable to carry the pregnancy, you’ll need to find a surrogate.

If you don’t have frozen eggs or embryos in storage, we can discuss the possibilities of using your partner’s eggs or donor eggs and surrogacy with donor sperm.

Unfortunately, rainbow Fertility is not able to provide any information about sex-reassignment counselling, hormone treatment or surgery. If you would like to talk to someone in more detail about your personal circumstances and the options available to you, we encourage you to make

Every fertility journey is different, so we discuss the options based on your own unique circumstance.

Feel free to contact our friendly team for further information and to learn about the fertility treatment options available to you


Unfortunately, rainbow Fertility cannot providespecificinformationaboutsex-reassignment counselling, hormone treatment or surgery. If you would like to talk to someone in more detail about your personal circumstances and the options available to you, we encourage you to make an appointment with your Gp.


an appointment with your Gp.

If you’re considering hormone therapy, and/or Sex-Reassignment Surgery (SRS), we encourage you to consider fertility preservation options such as: sperm, egg or embryo freezing beforehand. Taking steps to preserve your fertility now will give you the freedom to have genetically related children in the future if you want to.

Birth-designated males

Sperm freezing and storage is the procedure of freezing sperm cells to preserve them for future use. The process has been around for over 40 years. By using special technologies, and storing sperm in liquid nitrogen (-196°C), it can be safely preserved for many years, while maintaining its viability.

Birth-designated females

Egg/embryo freezing - this involves a woman’s mature eggs being developed and removed using standard IVF techniques.

“Vitrification” is the method used for freezing oocytes (female egg cells and embryos).

If you are a birth-designated female who wants to have your eggs frozen, you’ll need to undergo an Egg Pick-Up (EPU) as part of the IVF cycle. During this process

the eggs are retrieved and frozen for future use. When you’re ready to become a parent, they can be inseminated with donor or male partner sperm.

Alternatively, you can have embryos frozen. For this, you’ll need to undergo an IVF cycle to retrieve and fertilise the eggs (with either donor sperm or partner sperm) to create embryos, before freezing them for future use.

Here’s a general guide to the main treatments we offer. Of course, every case is different and as a transgender person, your own personal circumstances will make some of these options more suitable for you, and your partner (if you have one), than others.

Intra-Uterine Insemination (IUI) IUI involves a fine tube being inserted into the opening of the uterus (cervix) to transfer sperm. Insemination is timed around the time of ovulation, in order to achieve a pregnancy. However, if there is difficulty with ovulation, eggs can be released using Ovulation Inductions (OI). This procedure is usually carried out in the specialist’s rooms, you do not need anaesthetic and you will be home the same day.

In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) means “fertilisation in glass.” It involves the fertilisation of the egg by partner or donor sperm in an incubator outside the body, and the transfer of the embryo into the uterus of the partner or a surrogate. In the case of male infertility which cannot be successfully treated, donor sperm may be needed to conceive.

Partner IVF Partner IVF is a type of IVF that lets both partners become physically involved in the conception of their baby. This treatment option is available for a birth-designated female who is partnered with a woman, prior to hormone therapy or Sex-Reassignment Surgery (SRS).

In this option, one partner provides the eggs for fertilisation with donor sperm, and the other carries the pregnancy. Because both partners are physically involved in the pregnancy, it can create much stronger feelings of connection to both the pregnancy itself and ultimately the child.

The process of Partner IVF is almost identical to the standard IVF process. Both partners begin a process of synchronising their menstrual cycles by taking oral contraceptive pills. The partner who will be providing the eggs will also need to take medications to stimulate her ovaries and promote growth of follicles, which contain eggs.

SurrogacyThere are two main types of surrogacy, traditional and gestational.

• traditional surrogacy – in this case the surrogate provides her own eggs and is therefore genetically related to the child.

• Gestational surrogacy – in this case the surrogate has no genetic link to the baby.

Fertility preservation

egg/embryo and sperm freezing

POssIble TReaTmeNT

opTIoNs

pLEAsE NoTE:

• When contemplating fertility treatment you should be aware of the possible risks, some of which are comparable to those of elective surgery. We encourage you to discuss these with your treating specialist.


Important: any embryos created must be quarantined for six months. at the end of the six-month quarantine period, the egg donor and biological potential father (who provided the sperm) are contactedtoreturnforfinalscreeningteststoallowclearanceoftheembryosforuse.Theembryoscan only be used with the surrogate if the results of all the screening tests are negative. this ensures that none of the infectious agents tested for can be passed on to the surrogate. at all times the health and safety of our donors, surrogate and recipients are of our primary concern.


If you need a donor to assist you in the family building process, the clinic offers an active egg and sperm donor program to help individuals and couples in their attempt to become parents. Egg/sperm donors are classified as either “known” or “unknown”.

Known donor – this is where the identity of the donor is known by you.

Unknown (clinic-recruited) donor – this is where the identity of the donor is not known by you.

Whether working with known or unknown donors, the clinic follows a thorough process of preparation for individuals or couples using donated sperm, eggs or embryos. This process involves comprehensive medical assessment, detailed screening, consent forms and counselling of all parties involved in the donation.

As part of the process, donated sperm, eggs/embryos are quarantined for six months, with donors rigorously tested for infectious disease both before, and six months after the donation. Sperm and eggs/embryos are only cleared for use if the donor passes all tests.

Donor program

ThINGs To ThINk ABouTGet an idea of the questions you should ask yourself when considering conception through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

View page 30

Essential Reading


View page 31


View page 32

We offer a tailored service to each of our intersex patients based

around their needs.

FamIly bUIlDING FOR

INTERsEx pEopLE





ThINGs To ThINk ABouTGet an idea of the questions you should ask yourself when considering conception through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

View page 30

Essential Reading


View page 31


View page 32

To make the right decision, you need the right advice.

esseNTIal

REAdING

One of the unique things about intersex people, is that no two people are the same, not just psychologically, but physically too. That’s why we offer a tailored service to each of our intersex patients, based around their very specific needs. Call us to book an initial consultation, where we’ll take the time to better understand how we might be able to help you.

eXPlORe yOUR

opTIoNs

Call or email us to book an initial consultation: 1300 222 623 | [email protected]


things to think about

support services

Find out more about the support services available as part of treatment, talk to us in confidence


Fertility treatment that understands you.

If you’re considering using Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to build a family, it’s important you think carefully about some of the factors that may influence the decisions you make in your journey. These include:

• Relevant laws.

• The donor. How to choose them and what their role should be, your feelings towards them and their involvement, both now and potentially in the future.

• If you are single, what are your feelings about being a single parent?

• If you’re a couple, who will provide the egg/sperm? For some couples this is clear, other couples need to negotiate this based on age, medical history and genetic factors.

• Genetic connection. If Partner IVF isn’t an option for you, what your feelings are about having a baby with a genetic connection to only one parent.

• The strength of your relationship. Whether ART is successful, or not, if you’re in a couple, how it could affect your relationship.

• Who to tell. Friends? Family? Work? You’ll need to decide who to tell what to, and when.

• How many times is the donor able to donate?

• Your future child. How do you plan on talking to them about how they were conceived? If you used a donor, what if they want to meet them? Many potential parents write down a list of possible questions and how they plan to answer them. It can make things easier further down the line.

Although there are many viable paths to parenthood with Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) currently available to the LGBTI community, you may find it a challenging journey.

Fertility treatment can have an impact on your work, family, relationships, social life, self-esteem and at times, it can even feel like a lonely experience. Every fertility journey is different. How you cope with yours very much depends on your situation and personality.

We consider your emotional wellbeing to be just as important as your physical, so you can count on us for ongoing support. From counselling and dietary consultation services, to complementary therapies, we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Counselling

Bringing a child into the world creates a unique set of emotional challenges that can take time to overcome. From the early planning stages, right through to conception, specialised fertility counselling can give you the support you need.

Counselling is a mandatory part of all donor and surrogacy treatment. The sessions we offer will provide you with an opportunity to talk things over on a more personal level, making it easy to address issues like relationship difficulties, adapting to life as a parent or anything else that might be worrying you.

dietitians

Nutrition plays a big role in reproduction and pregnancy. To carry a pregnancy to full term, sperm, egg, hormones and uterus all need to be healthy, demanding nutrients at every stage.

While food is the best source of nutrients, taking supplements can also be useful if the intake of specific nutrients is lacking, or a body isn’t producing enough of them.

To help parents-to-be ensure their diet is the best it can be, we have a dedicated team of accredited health professionals at your service, offering a complimentary consultation with an accredited dietitian.

Complementary therapies

There is a diverse range of IVF Complementary Medicine (CM) out there, offering a personal and holistic approach to treatment. Therapies include acupuncture, yoga, meditation, hypnosis, massage therapy, aromatherapy and herbal medicine. Alongside conventional and evidence-based treatments, CM can offer many benefits as part of an integrated health plan.

Individuals or couples who combine their IVF treatment with CM often claim to feel calmer, emotionally stronger, more able to cope with the demands of the IVF regimen, and importantly, feel more optimistic about the outcome.


LegaL considerations for users of our

donor/ surrogacy program

Rainbow Fertility has a responsibility for providing Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) based on the relevant state or federal laws and guidelines as outlined below.

Donor programThe donor program manages all donated gametes (eggs and sperm) as well as donated embryos. There are legal implications that need to be understood for anyone considering receiving donated gametes or embryos, so carefully read the information in this section. Anyone using the services of this program is encouraged to seek independent legal advice beforehand.

Recipient • Recipients of sperm, eggs or embryos (gametes) are

entitled to some information about the donor. Upon request, details of medical and family history, physical characteristics of the gamete donor, and the number and sex of children already conceived using gametes donated by the same donor, can be provided.

• In Australia gamete donation must be altruistic. Commercial trading in human gametes and/or the use of direct or indirect inducements must not be undertaken. The reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses associated with procedures is acceptable.

• The woman giving birth is regarded as the mother of any child born. The recipient couple are the legal parents of the child, with parental rights and responsibilities. The donor is not the legal father of the child.

people wishing to have assisted reproductive treatment in Victoria must undergo a criminal record check and child protection order check.

• In South Australia according to the state legislation, females (single women or lesbian couples) can only access Assisted Reproductive Technology services if they are deemed medically infertile by a specialist or if there appears to be a risk that a serious genetic defect, serious disease or serious illness would be transmitted to a child conceived naturally.

Child• People conceived using donated gametes are entitled

to know who their genetic parents are once they turn 18 if they wish to. Therefore, donors must consent to identifying information being held by the clinic and the Victorian / New South Wales Central Register. This information includes all medical and family history, identifying information about the gamete donor and the number and sex of children conceived using the gametes provided by the same donor. For more information about central registers in Victoria please refer to varta.org.au and in NSW head to health.nsw.gov.au. pLEAsE NoTE: all our records are kept in our RTaC (Reproductive Technology accreditation Committee) accredited fertility clinics and are regardedashighlyconfidential.

Donor• Gamete donors are free to withdraw at any time,

unless the gametes have already been used; including the creation of an embryo with a donated gamete. Embryo donors are free to withdraw from the process up until the embryo has been transferred into the uterus of the recipient. pLEAsE NoTE: in victoria, written consent must be provided by both donors of gametes, before embryos can be removed from storage.

• Donors are entitled to some information about the offspring born. On request, non-identifying information about live births, child gender, number of children born and any abnormalities can be provided.

• The child conceived using donor gametes, and the donor of gametes, need to be protected from the consequences of having many siblings and offspring, respectively. Gamete donors are able to donate to up to 10 women in VIC, QLD and SA and up to 5 women in NSW (this includes the donor and any current or former partner of the donor).

Surrogacy programLegal advice is compulsory in all surrogacy cases. The commissioning parent(s), the surrogate and her partner (if applicable) will be required to organise separate appointments to obtain independent legal advice. The commissioning parent(s) and surrogate must obtain advice from separate legal advisors.

Please consider the following:

• In Australia surrogacy must be altruistic, commercial surrogacy is illegal.

• In South Australia surrogacy is permitted only for the commissioning parents who are legally married or have lived as de facto husband and wife for the period of three years.

• In Victoria traditional surrogacy is not permitted.

• It is important to note that each state has different legislation in regard to surrogacy, so please refer to your own state Surrogacy Act for more information.

Rainbow Fertility encourages all individuals/couples to seek independent legal advice.


Every journey to parenthood is different, so associated costs will vary from treatment to treatment. We understand that cost plays a big factor in deciding on the path to take, so we’re as up-front as possible about the likely expenses involved in building your family, with no hidden fees or registration costs for standard IVF services.

We’ll be able to give you a clearer idea of the costs involved when you meet with your specialist and talk through your options. That way, you’ll be able to make an informed decision based on an estimate that takes your personal circumstances into consideration.

Treatment costsRainbow Fertility offers LGBTI individuals a number of pathways to creating a family. These include a comprehensive donor and surrogacy program utilising Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART).

A great place to start is to meet with one of our experienced Rainbow Fertility specialists. They’ll take a detailed medical history, arrange any medical investigations and plan the most appropriate treatment option for you. Please remember, a current referral is required in order to claim the cost of this consultation back through Medicare. Referrals from a GP last for 12 months, while a referral from a specialist is valid for only three months. You can contact our Fertility Advice Team on: 1300 222 623 or email: [email protected] for recommendations on a suitable GP for you. Our team will be more than happy to help.

Following your consultation with a Rainbow Fertility specialist, you will be given a complimentary booking for a pre-treatment information session. This session includes consultation with our highly-trained fertility coordinators, scientists and a member of the patient services team. All aspects of your fertility treatment, including your individual financial quote, will be discussed with you at this time.

Medicare rebate - Are you eligible?Currently Medicare rebates for treatments are only permitted if the woman being treated has an underlying medical cause of infertility. Treatment involving surrogacy currently does not attract a Medicare rebate. Medical infertility can only be determined by a specialist, after an assessment. If your treating specialist provides a diagnosis of medical infertility, Medicare rebates can be claimed for Donor Sperm, Artificial Insemination and IVF cycles, in addition to specialist fees. Without a diagnosis of medical infertility the cost of treatment is not eligible for Medicare or Private Health rebates.

With the assistance of Medicare, fertility treatment is now more affordable. There have been substantial reductions in the cost of many fertility treatments since the introduction of the Federal Government Medicare Safety Net program. The savings generated from these out-of-pocket cost reductions have made fertility treatment more affordable for those with a diagnosis of medical infertility.

One of our friendly Patient Services Administrators will help you to understand the Medicare and Private Health rebates and guide you through your payment options.

How the Medicare Safety Net worksIn addition to receiving the standard Medicare rebate for fertility treatment, you may also be eligible to receive the Medicare Safety Net rebate. This is a scheme the Federal Government introduced whereby once you reach a certain amount of out-of-pocket expenses in a calendar year, Medicare will pay an additional refund.

Out-of-pocket expense is commonly referred to as the “gap” between the doctor/clinic fee and the standard Medicare rebate. Rainbow Fertility fees are classed as out-of-hospital, so they will count towards the Medicare safety net. The Medicare Safety Net is not means-tested, nor is a restriction placed on the number of treatment cycles patients can undertake in a calendar year.

A guide to

rainbow fertility costs

Individuals are automatically registered on the Safety Net Threshold; however, there are benefits in registering as a couple/family. For more information and to check your registration status, access Medicare online services at medicareaustralia.gov.au/online or visit your nearest Medicare office.

Medicare OnlineMedicare Online is available at Rainbow Fertility. This is a secure and convenient way for patients to claim their rebate without having to visit a Medicare office. Please contact your nearest Medicare office, or go online medicareaustralia.gov.au/online to register your bank account details.

How does Private Health contribute?The appropriate level of Private Health Insurance will provide either partial or full cover of costs associated with private hospital/day surgery and anaesthetic charges for IVF-related procedures. Medicare will not pay anything towards private hospital fees.

It is important to contact your Private Health Fund to find out if your selected insurance level covers fertility treatment and whether you have served the relevant waiting periods. We recommend you contact your Private Health Fund for an estimate of any excess or co-payments that may be needed.

If your Health Fund confirms it will cover fertility treatment costs, you may receive a rebate for the following:

• Hospital/day surgery – bed fee and theatre fee.

• Portion of the anaesthetist fee.

• Portion of the specialist fee.

• Medication not covered by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), this is dependent on your extras pharmacy cover – if applicable.

pLEAsE NoTE: Private health insurance is not required to access fertility treatment.

Financial optionsRainbow Fertility is pleased to offer a no upfront fees payment plan for medicare eligible patients to assist with the financial obligations of treatment.

The flexible payment plan lets patients start their IVF cycle, with payment delayed until the day of egg collection. On the day egg collection takes place, the Medicare claim is submitted online, resulting in rebates being paid back into your account within two to three working days.

To take advantage of this payment option, simply fill in a credit card authority form before the start of your IVF cycle.

The primary advantage of the no upfront fees initiative is that it minimises the amount of time patients are out of pocket for their treatment. Submitting the claim to Medicare on the same day as the credit card is debited results in patients only being out of pocket for two to three working days. Previously, the waiting time to receive a rebate could be up to 21 days.

RainbowFertilityispleasedtoofferanoupfront fees payment plan for medicare eligiblepatientstoassistwiththefinancialobligations of treatment.

the clinic does not charge an initial registration fee for standard IVF services.


Quality management system Rainbow Fertility is committed to providing the highest quality and safety care for your patients.

Our Quality Management Program is certified by an independent external auditing body to ISO 9001:2008 (a globally recognised standard) and RTAC (Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee).

Rainbow Fertility is committed to ongoing improvement of patient care in all areas. While our RTAC (Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee). accredited fertility clinics have an excellent record in delivering quality patient care and high quality standards, our company continues to focus on improvements that will keep it at the forefront of patient care.

quality

services

To help us continually improve our level of patient care and patient safety, we welcome your feedback on any of our services.

Interpreter serviceAn effective professional practice needs both parties to have a clear understanding of each other.

An interpreter service will be provided for patients who need assistance. Interpreting services for medical consultations are provided free of charge for those who hold a current Medicare card.

Your privacy All privacy principles for Rainbow Fertility fall under the Rainbow Fertility Privacy Policy. We’re committed to managing your health information in a respectful way, by adhering to the privacy principles contained within the Privacy Act 1988(Cth) and the Health Records Act 2001.

Rainbow Fertility has strict policies with respect to who has access to your medical records. These policies are contained within our Privacy Policy, which is available at rainbowfertility.com.au or upon request.

Access to your health information

• Your medical history will be shared with service providers such as pathology and ultrasound.

• In an attempt to improve patient care and safety, your medical record may be inspected for clinical audit by external bodies such as Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC).

• Identified information may be shared with national bodies such as the Health Insurance Commission (HIC), National Perinatal Statistics Unit (NSPU), National Association of Testing Authority (NATA) and Reproductive Technologies Accreditation Committee (RTAC).

• Health funds also receive information relating to any treatments you have received.

• Rainbow Fertility may be required by law or by regulatory bodies to release information.

These bodies have strict policies relating to access and use of your health information to protect your rights.

You’ll find our Privacy Collection Statement on the Rainbow Fertility general consent forms. You’ll need to read and sign these before starting any Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ART).

For more information1300 222 623 | [email protected] | rainbowfertility.com.au

Rainbow Fertility is committed to providing quality care every time.


Contact1300 222 623

[email protected] rainbowfertility.com.au

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Fertility treatment that understands You

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