Fertility advocate welcomes N.L.'s 1st possible IVF clinic

The announcement that an in-vitro fertilization clinic is set to open in Newfoundland and Labrador has a fertility advocate celebrating the move, saying it will expand access for more people.

Ledon Wellon, a fertility advocate who runs the Faces of Fertility Facebook group, said she was thrilled when she heard about the plan to have IVF offered in the province.

"It's been talked about for a while, but to hear it from the doctors really actually feels like it's going to happen soon, which is amazing," Wellon said.

Dr. Deanna Murphy and Dr. Sean Murphy — not related — are planning to open a private IVF clinic, which will also offer egg preservation, late next year at the former Costco building in the east end of St. John's.

Wellon said dozens of people have messaged her to share in her excitement.

Stressful enough

To receive IVF treatment, patients currently have to travel to clinics outside the province — often paying thousands to stay and receive treatment.

Wellon said IVF treatment requires careful timing and big payments for last minute flight bookings. She says it also means meeting with a doctor they had never met before, taking medications that come with side effects and staying at a hotel to heal and try to relax.

"It just adds so much extra stress to the whole situation that could easily be avoided with it being open here," said Wellon.

Wellon said having a clinic in the province will be a game changer because patients won't have to leave the province for long periods of time. Wellon herself was out of the province for 24 days for one cycle in March of 2020.

If her appointment had been in-province, she could have had her clinic appointment in the morning before work, and not have had to take time off.

"There's so many people who don't have the privilege of being able to take 24 paid sick days off," Wellon said.

Wellon said she wants to have more children but her embryos are stored in Calgary, and she isn't sure if transporting them to Newfoundland and Labrador is feasible, but she said having an in-province clinic will help others.

"It's so comforting knowing that it will be available here for the future," she said.

Further funding

Last month, the provincial government announced it was expanding fertility services to include IVF, a campaign promise from outgoing Premier Andrew Furey's 2021 election campaign.

Furey promised the province will have an IVF clinic as soon as January 2026.

Wednesday's provincial budget included $3.2 million to expand IVF services, which included the previously announced subsidy of one-time funding of up to $20,000. Previously, the subsidy meant approved patients could claim up to $5,000 per IVF cycle, up to three cycles.

Wellon said it seems like fertility services are becoming more accessible.

"It will actually let people who couldn't access it before be able to access it in the future," she said.

Speaking with reporters on Wednesday, interim Health Minister John Haggie said the department has been in contact with Dr. Deanna Murphy and Dr. Sean Murphy about the clinic.

"It's a question of detail and operationalizing," he said.

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