Hi IM’s
Is there a mental health check before you can start IVF for a single women having to use a sperm donor?
There is a history of psychotic episodes, severe depression, Self harm and attempted suicide.
Her medication makes her so spaced out she can barely function let alone take care of a child.
TIA
7 Replies
Yes. I doubt she will qualify for ivf as a single woman if she has severe mental health issues.
A couple I know who used IVF I believe had to have some sort of psychological assessment in order to proceed (as well as an over all physical health check).
That may very well depend on the clinic though.
I am not sure if it varies from state to state, however in Vic - my sister was put through a psychologist to ensure she is mentally fit, she also has a single friend relying on donor sperm who is very depressed with her situation and can't seek help because it will be a flag to not allow her to proceed.
They ask everyone for a full medical history and they ask what meds you are taking etc. At the very least they will want to know what her medications are as that can interfere with pregnancy and treatments.
The sad thing is that if she just went to a bar and picked up a one night stand and got pregnant not only would nobody bat and eyelid but she would get support financially and emotionally from the government agencies and could trap the man into 18 years of child support
I have a history of BPD, depression, anxiety, suicide attempts and anorexia. I had a tough time growing up and struggled entering adulthood. Things is, it's my HISTORY, not my current mental health status.
Today I'm a mum of 4 and a nurse... And honestly I wouldn't be the compassionate nurse I am today had I not been through what I have... Sometimes these things build us up to be better people.
My question to you is not what her history is, who is she today? Does she still suffer with significant mental health issues or has she overcome this?
We did IVF in 2015 in QLD and although they went through our medical history, we didn't have a mental health check nor did we have to speak to a psychologist