The hidden costs of fertility: What you need to know.

                       

Content warning: This post contains discussions of miscarriage and loss, medical trauma, as well as harm to 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPGM folks. We suggest you take breaks when necessary and check out whenever you need to.

If you’re anything like me, you might have been surprised at how hard it can be to actually get pregnant. After years of sexual health education in Canada aimed at talking about birth control, and all the time I spent thinking about and trying not to get pregnant, it came as a shock to realize it might not be that straightforward. It took me months to finally get pregnant and I experienced a loss before I was able to conceive and carry to term. I was lucky enough not to need any fertility treatments, but as someone who works within the pregnancy and birth world, I know how common it is for people to need support when trying to conceive.

For many in Canada (and across North America), the journey to parenthood can feel like climbing a mountain—expensive, time-consuming, emotionally taxing, and filled with unexpected detours.

There are many reasons for that, and of course it’s dependent on the people and bodies involved. Many families need different kinds of support when it comes to their conception journeys. Beneath the surface of the topic of conception lies a complex web of financial, emotional, and systemic impacts that can catch people off guard—especially for those in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community or anyone navigating fertility outside of traditional paths. And as I’ve personally experienced, many people don’t have the financial resources or the ability to plan ahead when navigating the uncertainties of pregnancy and parenthood.

For many in Canada (and across North America), the journey to parenthood can feel like climbing a mountain—expensive, time-consuming, emotionally taxing, and filled with unexpected detours. At Brood, we believe in shining a light on the costs, including the hidden ones, so you can approach your fertility journey informed, empowered, and prepared.

Breaking down the known costs of fertility.

The financial landscape of fertility treatments in Canada can be, well, daunting. Here’s a breakdown of the typical out-of-pocket expenses (all in CAD) for common fertility procedures:

  • In vitro fertilization (IVF): $10,000 to $20,000 per cycle, not including prescriptions, which can add another $5,000 to $7,000. If you need access to fertility treatment, you may be eligible for BC’s new publicly funded in vitro fertilization (IVF) program that launches in April 2025! Learn more about this initiative here.
  • Intrauterine insemination (IUI): $500 to $4,000 per cycle depending on the clinic and prescription needs.
  • Donor sperm: Approximately $900 to $1,300 per vial, with additional storage, shipping, and testing fees.
  • Egg donation: Can cost between $15,000 to $30,000, plus legal fees and prescriptions.
  • Surrogacy: Total costs can exceed $80,000, factoring in legal agreements, medical expenses, and more. Learn more about the legal framework surrounding surrogacy in Canada here.

For 2SLGBTQIA+ families, the use of donor sperm, eggs, or surrogacy often increases these costs exponentially. And that’s before considering the emotional and systemic barriers that can aris

It’s important to note that while some provincial healthcare plans, like Ontario’s OHIP-funded IVF cycle or BC’s IVF Program, cover a portion of treatment costs, this support is often limited and doesn’t cover prescriptions or additional cycles. 

For a comprehensive overview of provincial funding, Fertility Matters Canada offers detailed resources here. It’s also recommended to review your employee benefits packages, as some health spending accounts and extended plans may offer additional support.

The hidden costs of fertility you might not expect.

Beyond the obvious financial burdens, there are additional hidden costs that can take a toll on your fertility journey and path to parenthood, including but not limited to:

  • Prescriptions: Beyond basic treatment costs, medications can add hundreds of dollars, if not thousands, to your expenses.
  • Travel and accommodation: For those outside urban centres, accessing fertility clinics often means paying for travel and overnight stays.
  • Legal fees: Drafting contracts for surrogacy or donor agreements can range from $2,000 to $10,000.
  • Time off work: Many treatments require frequent clinic visits, sometimes necessitating unpaid leave from work.

For 2SLGBTQIA+ families, the use of donor sperm, eggs, or surrogacy often increases these costs exponentially. And that’s before considering the emotional and systemic barriers that can arise.

Emotional and mental health costs.

Fertility journeys can be emotionally exhausting, especially when the process doesn’t go as planned. The constant stress of financial strain, physical discomfort from procedures, and the emotional rollercoaster of hopes and disappointments can lead to anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation. Experiencing loss at any stage of the process can deepen these emotions, leaving individuals with grief that is often unseen or unacknowledged.

For queer individuals and couples, there’s often an added layer of navigating heteronormative systems that don’t always recognize or validate diverse family structures. Having to repeatedly explain your family dynamics, deal with assumptions, or face discrimination within healthcare spaces adds an invisible weight to the journey. Additionally, many people struggle with sharing their fertility experiences—especially after loss—due to stigma, shame, or fear of not being understood by their community.

We explore more about pregnancy after loss and the emotional impact of fertility journeys in this Brood blog post, where we dive into the importance of community support and self-care during these challenging times.

Systemic and social barriers.

Access to fertility care isn’t equitable. In Canada, while healthcare coverage exists, systemic barriers persist. Racialized (BIPGM) communities, low-income families, and 2SLGBTQIA+ folks often face greater obstacles in accessing affordable and affirming care. These inequities are compounded by social stigmas and outdated policies that don’t always support diverse family-building needs.

Even finding providers who are knowledgeable about queer and trans-specific fertility needs can be challenging. The lack of inclusive education and systemic biases can create additional hurdles for those already navigating an emotionally and financially draining process.

Investing in your future with knowledge.

At Brood, we believe that everyone deserves access to clear, compassionate, and empowering information about fertility—especially when it comes to financial planning. We partnered with Vancity to develop a one-of-a-kind free online course, Wealthy Beginnings, designed to help you take control of your financial future as you plan for parenthood. It covers everything from budgeting for treatments to understanding the true cost of fertility journeys in today’s landscape.

We also explore actionable tools to build a sustainable plan because financial preparedness isn’t just about dollars and cents—it’s about reducing stress, fostering confidence, and ensuring that you’re supported every step of the way. 

You’re not alone.

The hidden costs of fertility can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options, deep into treatments, or considering alternative paths to parenthood, we are here to support you. 

For more resources on navigating your fertility journey, check out some of the links below.

Quick links to fertility resources and education:

Brood-approved fertility support products & practitioners:

  • Bird&Be:  Research-backed vitamins and at-home tests to support your fertility journey.
  • Ovry: At Home Fertility Tests
  • Pacific Centre for Reproductive Medicine (PCRM): With locations in Greater Vancouver, Victoria, and Edmonton, PCRM offers comprehensive fertility services, including IVF, IUI, egg freezing, and more.
  • Olive Fertility Centre: Serving Vancouver, Victoria, Kelowna, and Surrey, Olive provides advanced fertility treatments with a patient-centred approach.
  • Grace Fertility Centre: A smaller-scale clinic in Vancouver offering personalized fertility treatments tailored to individual needs.
  • Yinstill Reproductive Wellness: They combine ancient Chinese medicine practices with cutting-edge holistic naturopathic treatments, private coaching, and infinite compassion to ensure clinical results.

For a more extensive list of fertility clinics across Canada, you can refer to Fertility Match and Fertility Matters Canada.

Have you experienced a loss and are you looking for support?

Check out our one-of-a-kind online course, holding you in grief, healing and understanding of early pregnancy loss. In this course, we explore the physiology behind different types of loss and how to medically and emotionally cope with them. This course also includes workbooks for the people in your community to support them in supporting you.

Learn more about our Miscarriage & Early Loss Course here.

Fertility costs can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Vancity offers personalized financial support to help your plan for your growing family and your family’s future. Contact us today!

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