The yearning for parenthood is natural which can burn quite brightly, especially after we reach a certain age. In-Vitro Fertilisation offers a chance to start a family for many couples who are struggling to conceive. Yet, taking this route often raises essential questions, one being the cost. In India, where the medical landscape is developing rapidly with cost-effective prices for major procedures, getting an idea of IVF expenses becomes a significant consideration.
India, especially Mumbai, has been known for excelling in the medicine field due to world class doctors and hospitals, cost-effective IVF treatment, no waiting periods, and a rising popularity among tourists. Lately, the country’s cutting-edge reproductive healthcare solutions have made it a haven for people seeking fertility treatment.
Why is India preferred for IVF treatments?
Besides its world-class treatment centres, rapid progress in medical technology, and affordability, India is among the preferred destinations for IVF because it is at the forefront of reproductive medicine. From the introduction of technologies like Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection to services like Intrauterine Insemination, egg and embryo donation, etc., the country’s healthcare innovations continue to pull in international patients from corners of the world in hopes of pregnancy.
How much does IVF treatment cost?
Determining the average IVF cost in Mumbai involves considering several factors contributing to the overall expenses. The location, clinic reputation, comprehensive components within the IVF package, the specialist’s experience, success rates, the specific IVF procedure required, and the necessary medications play a role in determining the best centre.
To make the financial aspect more manageable, many fertility hospitals offer various packages with flexible payment options, including Credit Cards, cheques, bank transfers, or cash. Receipts are provided for transparency in all procedures. The cost of undergoing IUI treatment at the best IVF centre in Mumbai is approximately Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 per cycle.
Similarly, the cost of ICSI treatment starts from Rs. 1.20 lakh and may go up to Rs. 1.60 lakh. It includes the cost of four consultations and ultrasound scan, procedure charges, lab charges, specialist charges, nursing charges and In-patient charges during the ovum pick up and fresh transfer. You can also undergo blastocyst culture and transfer at reasonable costs ranging from Rs. 18,000 to Rs. 30,000 at an IVF centre in Mumbai.
Points to note
Note that these charges are exclusive of hormonal medication, hormonal blood tests, half-day stay in the hospital, pre-aesthetic checkup and pre-IVF blood tests. Charges for specific procedures, like fresh embryo transfer, are included in the IVF ICSI package. Additionally, charges for freezing embryos are separate depending on the personalised nature of fertility treatments.
Components of IVF treatment cost
In India, although the cost is considerably lower than most Western countries, it makes sense to understand all the components that contribute to the overall cost. Here is a breakdown of what to expect:
- Pre-treatment
Consultation fees: Your initial consultation with a fertility specialist sets the stage for your journey. The fees vary based on the doctor’s experience and the clinic’s reputation.
Diagnostic tests: Blood tests, semen analysis, and ultrasound scans analyse fertility health. Expect to incur costs for these investigations.
- IVF procedure
Ovarian stimulation: Medications to stimulate egg production come in different protocols and dosages, impacting the cost.
Egg retrieval: This surgical procedure involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries. Prepare for anaesthesia, surgeon fees, and operating room and lab charges.
Sperm preparation and freezing: If needed, the preparation and freezing of sperm adds to the total cost, depending on the chosen method.
Embryo culture and development: The lab takes centre stage as fertilised embryos are nurtured for several days. This includes lab charges and embryologist fees.
Embryo transfer: The delicate process of transferring embryos back into the uterus involves anaesthesia, operating room charges, and doctor’s fees.
- Post-treatment
Cryopreservation of extra embryos: If you have extra embryos, you can cryopreserve them for future attempts, incurring additional storage costs.
Pregnancy test: This confirms whether the journey has yielded a positive outcome.
Conclusion
The age of the patient, their ovarian reserve, use of advanced technology, and use of add-ons are some common factors affecting the IVF treatment costs in Mumbai. If you want to save on them, you should compare the costs and services provided by various clinics, consider their reputation, success rates, medical team expertise and experience, and the range of services they offer.