Gynaecologist breaks down the process and cost of IVF in South Africa
IVF is more popular in South Africa than you would think.
Photo: Unsplash/Ana Tablas
More singles are taking the in vitro fertilisation (IVF) route to become parents, but what does it entail?
Thando Thabethe speaks to Specialist Gynaecologist, Dr Neelan Pillay breaks down the process.
Listen to the discussion below.
Potential mothers are prescribed hormonal medication for 10 to 12 days to stimulate egg growth.
Once they are an appropriate size, the eggs are retrieved and taken to the laboratory for artificial fertilisation.
“There is no surgery, it’s done under sedation so there is a simple needle is inserted. The woman does not feel any pain. I describe it to my patients as similar to taking blood through the vagina.”
Dr Neelan Pillay, Special Gynaecologist
In South Africa, you are looking at an estimated cost of R54,000 to R110,000.
Pillay debunks the myth that costs are subject to donor types.
“In South Africa, it is illegal to sell your gametes (eggs or sperm). We can’t pay a donor for their eggs or a sperm donor for their sperm but we do compensate them for their inconvenience, this is within the South African law – the maximum is R7,500 and travel expenses.”
Dr Neelan Pillay, Special Gynaecologist
“If you have a better-quality egg or sperm count we wouldn’t pay you more than somebody who has got less than.”
Dr Neelan Pillay, Special Gynaecologist