This is a question from a friend, who already has 2 girls and wants the third kid to be a boy. What are the options available and how much does it cost? Are there any negatives associated with it? I am assuming it won't be covered by isurance at all.
Hello! Some insurance companies do cover IVF. My husband's company is based in Boston and it is mandatory there. (we did not realize this and paid cash for a lot before we knew) IVF is around $10,000 - $15,000. Determining the sex is more. Don't know the cost. If they want an excellent DR. in Plano. I can recommend 2. Good luck.
I just read where Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital is offering a free education seminar for people interested in assisted reproductive therapy, like IVF. the number for more information is ###-###-####. Your friend can go by the session with her partner/huspand they can speak with a board certified embryologist and infertility specialist and get the skinny first-hand.
Hope this helps your friend out a bit.
Now, I just read about this not long ago , I believe in Time magazine, and from what I recall, only in California is it even legal to use IVF to choose the sex of the baby. I hope I'm not misinforming you, but it does stand to reason that this being such a radical (i.e. not so politically correct)procedure that not every state has allowed it yet. I also read it adds another ten thousand to the basic costs of IVF. Again, don't quote me, it is not something you hear about every day.
I have had 3 IVF's and gender choice was never an option, to my knowledge. I'd love to talk to you or your friend about it more if I can help in any way. I did it due to infertility - but sounds like that might not be your friend's problem. Again, if I can help, I'd love to.
J. Morrison
____@____.com
or
###-###-#### (home)
I'm not sure from your question if what you are really asking is if IVF can get you the desired sex of your baby. I do not know of any doctors in the area doing that or the associated costs. We went through IVF and have a beautiful, healthy boy but our Dr would not do any sort of genetic testing or choosing of the baby's sex.
I think IVF was a wonderful thing to help us as a couple struggling to get pregnant to have a child. But if its use is to determine gender, I think we've gone a little too far.
If your friend has no medical condition requiring IVF, it would not be covered. Our total expense was around $20K but we used one of the best drs in D. and did ICSI IVF. We had other friends that got out for around $12-15K at other offices.
Are there any negatives? Well, you are taking shots and injections every day for over a month and most folks don't like putting syringes into their stomachs and buttocks. It's not especially fun. It's also very time consuming. You'll want to get a dr office that is close as you'll be visiting several times during the cycle. Some women really struggle with all of the added hormones, financial and personal stress as well.
Regardless, good luck to your friend on a healthy baby.
