Safe IVF in New Zealand – experts respond

Safe IVF in New Zealand - experts respond

November 6, 2014

New Zealand and Australia are world leaders when it comes to safe In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF), according to a new report summarising the latest data from the two countries.

The Assisted Reproductive Technology in Australia and New Zealand 2012 report contains data about IVF cycles undertaken in 2012 and the resulting babies born in 2012 and 2013. According to the report there were 5,177 assisted reproductive technology treatment cycles performed in New Zealand in 2012, leading to 1,286 babies born.

According to the report, rates of IVF multiple births in New Zealand and Australia are among the lowest in the world (6.6% in Australia and 5.2% in New Zealand). Multiple births are a common result of IVF and present a risk to mothers and babies. New Zealand and Australia's low multiple birth rates are thanks to their focus on single-embryo transfer techniques.

The report also notes that rates of IVF treatment in Australia are more than double that seen in New Zealand, likely due to different funding and eligibility criteria.

Prof Wayne Gillett, Head of Department, Department of Women's & Children's Health, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago contributed data to the report. He comments:

"Our (New Zealand) prioritisation tool allows for healthier women being able to access fertility treatments. The trade off is that fewer women have access and we are a long way behind Australia. NZ women are also disadvantaged in that if a pregnancy results from the first IVF treatment then they have to forgo the second IVF cycle. So NZ couples have less chance of attaining family-hood (more than one child), unless they fund it themselves.

"Professor Farquhar makes a good point in that adjustments to the eligibility criteria may enable some couples to access treatment, but unless there is additional funding other couples (who are currently funded) will miss out.

"For instance the current model doesn't allow some 37-39 year old women into treatment easily, unless they have long durations of infertility. The point here is that once they reach 40 they become ineligible. So if the eligibility criteria were changed to allow easier access for these older women the trade-off is that younger women would need to wait longer (and it is this group who have the best outcomes)."

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Safe IVF in New Zealand - experts respond