Long wait times for B.C.’s IVF funding leave hopeful parents-to-be disappointed

For 41-year-old Nina, B.C.’s publicly funded IVF program was her last chance at having a baby.

She began her journey to motherhood with the Olive Fertility Centre back in 2014. She eventually became pregnant with twins, but sadly lost them at 18 weeks.

The province launched its IVF program back in July, announcing that those who are approved are given up to $19,000. The government said $68 million would be allocated to three clinics, including Olive, over two years.

For Nina, this sounded like just what she needed.

“Once it was announced, I thought, this is great, this is going to be covered, so I don’t have to worry,” she said.

However, the demand for the program far exceeds the funding, and Olive says the money for this year has already run out.

“The announcement from the very beginning sounded so much more hopeful,” said Dr. Niamh Tallon, an associate physician at Olive.

“Most people in the general public wouldn’t have an understanding of the amount of budget you’d need to help everyone. We see new patients every day who are like, we are ready for IVF, I want my free cycle. [But] there are a lot of people ahead of them.”

The government requires that patients be no older than 41 when they apply. And as the clinic deals with a long waitlist, patients like Nina are now being told the funding may never get to them.

“I was told that the 2026 funding will run out, and between the funding and how long the queue is, by the time I turn 42, I will not be eligible,” she said.

“I have no savings left, I’ve lost my babies, and now, losing this opportunity, I’ve lost my chance to be a mother. I don’t know where to go from here.”

Other patients The Leader Spirit spoke with also say the lack of communication from the province has added to the stress of their fertility journey.

“I don’t think it was thought out well, I’m devastated and angry,” Nina said.

“I feel resentful and angry that I should’ve been at the top of the list. I’m not saying I’m more deserving, but I’m heartbroken. To others, I would say don’t wait. Do what you have to do. My fault was trusting and believing that this was gonna work for me.”

Dr. Tallon says they are currently working on patient applications from December 2024.

“We can’t process new applications until funding gets released.”

The province has not yet committed to IVF funding beyond 2026. In a statement, the Ministry of Health said there has been strong interest in this program, and it says it will share more information at a later date.