In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
What is in vitro fertilization (IVF)?
An assisted reproduction technique in which a mature egg is first removed from a woman’s ovary and then the fertilization of the egg by a sperm occurs outside the woman’s body.
Who might need IVF?
- A single woman who is infertile.
- A single man who is planning to use the service of a surrogate.
- An opposite-sex couple in which the female is infertile.
- An opposite-sex couple in which one of the spouses is transgendered.
- A same-sex lesbian couple in which one or both partners is infertile.
- A same-sex gay couple planning to use the service of a surrogate.
IVF, while not currently covered by OHIP, is expected to be partly covered, for one cycle per patient, starting in 2015.
While the news release makes one treatment available per patient for all forms of infertility, it is unclear right now whether the province intends to also include social infertility, such as single male or male same-sex couples.
In Vitro Fertilization and the law
- News Release: In Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, March 2012. Synopsis: Under current Ontario law, IVF is only covered by OHIP for patients with both fallopian tubes blocked (“It is only insured for the first three treatment cycles where the infertility is due to complete bilateral anatomical fallopian tube blockage that has not resulted from a sterilization procedure.”)
- News Release: Improving Access to Safe Fertility Treatments, Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, April 10, 2014. Synopsis: Ontario is proposing to contribute to the costs of one cycle of in vitro fertilization (IVF) per patient for all forms of infertility to help people who cannot conceive children.
- “Ontario reinstates funding for invitro fertilization”,Ottawa Citizen. April 9, 2014. Synopsis: Elizabeth Payne reports provincial Health Minister’s announcement that the province will begin paying for IVF treatment for people who cannot conceive children beginning in 2015: “Dr. Arthur Leader, a professor of obstetrics, gynecology and medicine at the University of Ottawa and co-founder of the Ottawa Fertility Centre, co-authored an advisory report that, in 2009, urged the Liberal government to pay for three cycles of IVF for patients suffering from infertility.”
In Vitro Fertilization in the media
- “Step by Step Look at Egg freezing technology”, CBC. April 23, 2012.
- “Regulating and treating conception problems”, CBC. February 5, 2009.
- “Undergoing in vitro fertilization in 1990”, CBC. March 18, 1990. Digital Archives.
- “Step by Step Look at In-Vitro Fertilization”, BBC. Undated.