9 Budgeting Tips for the Fertility Treatment

Planning or having a budget is a crucial task for everyone. And when it comes to fertility treatments, a budget plan becomes more crucial. It is, as fertility treatments such as IVF take time and are expensive. Some couples find IVF cost in Mangalore or their locality beyond their pocket/budget. If it is with you, the post can help you. Here are some budgeting tips for fertility treatment:    

1. Comprehend the fertility treatment process

First, you should know your fertility problems and the best and most effective treatment options. As a couple, you might have impaired sperm (low sperm count, motility, concentration, and shape), endometriosis, uterine issues, ovulation disorders, or blocked/damaged fallopian tubes as fertility problems.

After going through a few tests and screenings, your doctor can state the real fertility issue. As you know about your real fertility problem, you should discuss what the suitable treatments are. As fertility treatments, your doctor can disclose the following options:

• IVF (ovary stimulation, egg retrieval, sperm extraction, egg fertilisation, embryo transfer, and pregnancy test)
• IUI
• ICSI
• Donor program in the case of a lack of healthy eggs or poor sperm
• Medications     

2. Know what you will pay

In general, fertility treatments are highly expensive. Having an idea about your fertility treatment cost will facilitate you to plan a budget for it. For example, IVF treatment can cost you between $10 000 to $15 000 in the USA and around INR 1 00 000 in India for a single cycle.

IUI can cost you around $900 in the United States of America and around INR 70 000 in India. Your doctor or clinic can make it more clear to you, as the fertility treatment cost differs from one city to another and one clinic/hospital to another.

3. Streamline your monthly expenses

Apart from deprioritizing your impulse spending, you should streamline your expenses. Here is how you can streamline your monthly expenses:

• Study your monthly bank account statements and expenses
• Have a look at the amount your spend on housing, internet, food, entertainment, phone, and allied other things
• Make a cut on your dining out and TV or internet/phone subscriptions

Avoid making unnecessary purchases  

4. Request your employer for help

Many of you are unable to bear all the expenses yourselves. You might have taken help from your family members, employer, or friends earlier. In fertility treatments such as IVF, you should know employee benefits and find out whether your company helps in growing the family through medical intervention or not. You can discuss it with your company HR head.

5. Check the inclusions of your health insurance plan or get the right one

Usually, most of us have at least one health insurance policy. You might have one. If yes, go through the insurance document and read it to know what is included in it. You should get a health insurance plan with fertility coverage if your previous insurance policy does not cover fertility treatments. Getting a health insurance policy with fertility coverage will lower the burden of your fertility treatment cost.

6. Divide the total cost in small parts

Generally, fertility treatment like IVF runs for more than a month. In some cases, it can take more than 3 months. As you know your fertility treatment cost, break it in small parts. Having a look at a small amount rather than the whole cost can make you feel relaxed. You should know the estimated number of months of your fertility treatment and plan your treatment budget accordingly.          

7. Say NO to impulse spending

Many of you love shopping a lot. You need to practise self discipline and avoid unnecessary purchases, especially when you are on your fertility journey. Further, you should give priority to your family expansion plan if you are not parents and keep other things aside for a few months. Suppose that you are willing to buy a car. Keep it aside and pay attention to your fertility treatment.

8. Make a fertility or baby-making fund

You need to have a lot of restraint and willpower for planning a budget for your family expansion. For some of you, keeping some amount of money aside each month is very difficult. If it is with you, automate the transfer of a fixed amount to your baby fund. Each month, the amount will get debited as your account has a salary credit.

9. Track your progress and make a few changes

Tracking progress in anything is essential. And budgeting for fertility treatment is no exception to it. Saying NO to impulse spending, automation of a fertility or baby-making fund, and streamlining your expenses have bore fruits. Have a look at how much money you have saved and how much amount is in your baby fund. Compare it with your divided or total cost and see what you need to do more.

Conclusion

Having a budget makes each task easier for you. And budgeting your fertility treatment cost will surely help you lower the financial burden you might have in the future. Having a solid budget strategy and being strict to it will be beneficial for you.