'It gives people that extra chance': Couple welcome opportunity to get second round of free IVF
A couple who previously had one unsuccessful round of the State's free IVF treatment scheme have spoken of their hope they can be included among those who can get a second round, thanks to the latest Government announcement on the scheme.On Monday, the Government announced couples who already have a child and meet all other access criteria for the publicly funded assisted human reproduction treatment will be eligible for a free treatment plan.It will include one full cycle of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).Siobháin O’Reilly and her husband Dean from Co Donegal have been married for five years and have no children.They previously spoke to the Irish Examiner about their IVF journey and infertility after trying to get pregnant since they got married, but without success.“Unfortunately, we did get pregnant, and unfortunately, we miscarried four times," said Siobháin, aged 30.“We had a lot of tests done to get to the bottom of it. It’s been very difficult at times.” The couple had their first round of IVF treatment in 2024 on the public scheme.Doctors successfully retrieved 13 eggs recently, but unfortunately only one survived.They now want to try IVF treatment for a second time, in the hope they will be successful.Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said since the publicly funded assisted human reproduction (AHR) has so far seen 2,500 couples being referred by reproductive specialist consultants here.While the O’Reilly’s have not had any children, they said they would apply for the treatment as they believe they meet much of the criteria.“We will apply for it and see how it goes” said Siobhain. “No matter what, it is a great thing to have the second round available because it gives people that extra chance.“We have not been successful yet, but we retrieved 13 eggs recently, one has only survived, which was such a shame.“We are now undergoing tests for immunity to see do I need to change my medication. IVF is a big commitment, but at least there is a chance for people trying for a baby because the money is a lot. It would have cost us around €4,500 upwards, but there are also lots of extra tests too and consultant fees.“Our journey started in January 2024, we have to do our injections every day and then travel from Buncrana to Co Kildare to the clinic in Clane. There is a lot to do.“We are trying to manage your jobs as well. You could be booked for a Monday, but they might want to push those injections out to another day, and you have to try and juggle everything.”Siobhain said they meet the criteria in terms of being resident in Ireland, they have been referred by a consultant, and they have had a previous IVF cycle.But they have not had a successful round of IVF and have no children.“If we are not successful receiving the funds, things might change further down the road” The last baby the couple lost was in October 2023, at seven weeks. "It was very challenging, so we had more tests done, and it revealed I only had one kidney and a unicornuate uterus," said Siobháin.The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 was signed into law in July last year.A supplementary bill to deal with issues such as parentage and citizenship in surrogacy arrangements as well as donor-assisted conception is also being worked on.Speaking on Monday Ms MacNeill ad: “We are making significant progress in relation to AHR legislation, and formal drafting of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill is nearing completion.“One critical piece in the AHR jigsaw is the establishment of a regulatory authority. Good progress has been made in relation to the establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority.”
