In Vitro Fertilization: The Cost of IVF in Mexico

Louise Brown, the first IVF baby and her own baby Cameron.

In almost a month, Louise Brown will turn 35. She's the very first human born after conception by in vitro fertilization. 

Which is why I decided to write about IVF, what it is, and the cost of the procedure.

In vitro is latin for "in the glass." This names comes from the use of glass in early procedures. Today, in vitro is used for any conception that takes place outside the organism, and it's used in opposition to in vivo, or conception inside the organism.

In vitro fertilization is used in cases of female infertility caused by problems in the fallopian tube. It's also used in cases of male infertility caused by low quality or quantity of the sperm. It's also recommended in cases of unexplained infertility after 2 years of regular intercourse, although in these cases, the expectations of success should be low.

The procedure involves the monitoring of a woman's ovulatory process, removing an ovum or egg, fertilizing it with the partner's or a donor's sperm in a fluid environment and then transplanted into the uterus, where ideally it will result in a successful pregnancy.

Babies born this way are commonly referred as "test tube babies," although this is a misnomer, since fertilization occurs in petri dishes.

There are many methods that are used in in IVF in order to improve the chance of success. As a responsible patient and probably parent, it's your duty to inform yourself about these methods and select which one is the best for you.

How Successful is In Vitro Fertilization?

Here are the statistics for  successful pregnancies and live births in the USA, from the Society of Assisted Reproductive Techniques. Numbers reflect percentages.


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Age	<35	35-37	38-40	40-42	42>
Successful pregnancies	46.2	38.5	29.3	19.5	9.1
Successful live births	40.1	31.9	21.6	12.2	4.2

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What Factors Hurt Your Chances of Successful In Vitro Fertilization?

• Age.
• Duration of Infertility.
• Hormone Disorders.
• Defective Ovarian Functions.
• Smoking (it decreases your chances by around 30%, yet another reason to quit).
• Obesity.
• Drinking.
• Caffeine Ingestion.

A healthy body is necessary for successful IVF, so you can start preparing by quitting smoking, lowering or eliminating your intake of alcohol  and caffeine and doing exercise. In fact, I recommend these things to everyone, not just people who want to have a child.

How Much Does IVF Cost?

Like with all medical procedures, it will depend on your specific needs and where you live. In the US, it will cost you approximately $13,000-$17,000 dollars. In Mexico, the procedure costs about $5,000-$7,000 dollars.

Note that a lot will depend on whether you have insurance, whether your insurance will cover the procedure or part of it, and whether you can deduct it from taxes or not. As a responsible adult, it's your responsibility to do this research.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works.

The Top Ten Destinations for Medical Tourism: the Truth Behind the Numbers.

Bloomerg just released a list of the top ten travel destinations for medical tourism all around the world. Here are the rankings. The number next to the destination is the number of medical tourists in 2012.

8. Taiwan, 90,000.
7. Turkey, 110,000.
6. Brazil, 180,000.
5. India, 400,000.
4. Singapore, 610,000.
3. United States, 800,000.
2. Mexico, 1,000,000.
1. Thailand, 1,200,000.

However, while low prices are certainly important, cost isn't the only factor taken into account when deciding to get medical treatment in another country. In fact, the US is not known for its low prices, yet it comfortably takes place number 3 in the list. Why is that?

The answer is because not all patients are the same. When people who defend the US healthcare system say it's one of the best, if not the best in the world, they are telling the truth. If you have an uncommon illness or you need a very specialized procedure, then the US is the best place to get it.

On the other hand, that's precisely the kind of procedures and treatments that are outside the financial reach of most people, especially those who are uninsured or who don't have full coverage. Most Americans are in this situation, which is why many of them just go south of the border to get treatment.

That's why Mexico makes it to second place in the list. While medical healthcare in Mexico isn't as cheap as in Thailand, it's certainly cheaper than in the US. And its proximity with the US make it very attractive. Americans can even travel to Mexico before the procedure and see the doctor and the hospital before making a decision, which makes them feel more confident about it.

Lastly, Singapore sits at number one because of it's cheap prices, the higher quality of its medical care in relationship with its close competition (which may explain why it's ranked higher than India), and the fact that it has a reputation for sex change procedures (which are hard to find elsewhere at cheap prices).

If you want to see Bloomberg's original source, click here.

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to get yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works. 

Cost of Cosmetic Surgery: US vs Mexico

Every year, the cost of cosmetic surgery in the US goes up. And every year, more and more Americans go south of the border to get it because they can't afford it at home or because they want to save a few thousand dollars.

Obviously, quality should be considered first, and that's why many others decide to stay home and pay the higher fee or just go without cosmetic surgery. However, there are many excellent Mexican surgeons and hospitals that measure up to US standards. In addition, hospitals in big cities or cities with an important ex-pat community will have English-speaking staff.

Here are the comparative prices of the most common types of cosmetic surgery*. All prices are in US dollars and researched in May 2013. The price in Mexico includes round-trip plane tickets New York City-Mexico City for two people and two nights at a first class express hotel in Mexico City's Reforma neighborhood, considered to be one of the safest and most expensive areas of the city, for one person.**


                                                                             US            Mexico***
Aumengtation Mammoplasty / Mammaplasty    $10,000        $4,700
(breast augmentation)                       

Rhinoplasty                                                     $8,000            $2,200
(Nose reshaping, nose job)

Blepharoplasty                                                $3,000            $1,530
(Eyelid surgery)

Liposuction                                                     $5,000            $2,600

Abdominoplasty                                              $7,000            $2,700
(Tummy tuck)

Rhytidectomy                                                  $10,000        $3,200
(Facelift)

Mastopexy                                                       $7,000            $2,700
(Breast lift)


   
* Prices are approximate only and may vary depending on your specific needs, the scope of the surgery, and the state where you live in.

** Prices during low season and plane tickets bought 3 months in advance. Plane Tickets $450. Hotel $260. Total $710.

***Exchange rate as of May 2013

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Robert Ervin is a freelancer who writes about healthcare, medical tourism, and living in Mexico.

If you're considering traveling to Mexico for healthcare or retiring in Mexico, you may want to consider getting yourself a copy of The English's Speaker's Guide to Doctors and Hospitals in Mexico, in order to find a good doctor or hospital in the main towns and cities of Mexico, or The English Speaker's Guide to Medical Care in Mexico, to understand how the Mexican healthcare system works.