Fertility Care

We know that there is a lot to think about when planning your family’s future. For many couples, the journey to parenthood doesn’t happen as quickly or easily as they expect. We also know that starting is often the hardest part – which is why we’ve created this guide that outlines what benefits to consider as you begin and move through your fertility journey.

Planning

Getting Pregnant

Planning

Proactive options that help you take the initiative

Planning for a baby doesn’t just mean scheduling in some date nights - getting fit and being as healthy as possible should also be high on your to do list. Fortunately, there are lots of things you can do to help your family planning go smoothly. The benefits we offer will give you an idea of some of the ways having health insurance can help you on your way.

Benefits

Fitness wearables*

Female health tracking can empower women with a greater understanding of their menstrual cycles in conjunction with their physical and mental health, as they start to recognize what are normal trends over time versus what could be an issue to share with their doctor.1 With this benefit you can get a contribution towards the cost of a fitness wearable. The type of device is outlined in your Table of Cover.

Sports Club / gym membership / classes*

Studies of the effects of exercise on fertility have found that vigorous exercise reduces the risk of ovulation problems and that moderate exercise decreases the risk of miscarriage and increases the chance of having a baby among women who undergo assisted reproductive technology.2 You can claim a contribution towards the cost of your annual subscription to a Gym or a sports club governed by one of the National Governing Bodies of Sport in Ireland.

Health screening benefits*

During your health screen you will have the opportunity to address your health concerns with the health screening team, and undergo examination and testing designed to elicit the essential parameters of health. These benefits allow you to claim back some of the costs of health screening, VO2 max testing, fertility assessment (anti-mullerian hormone testing or semen analysis only) or sexual health screening.

Smear testing*

With this benefit you can claim a contribution towards the cost of an annual smear test with your GP or health nurse.

Smoking cessation

There are several lifestyle and environmental factors that impact infertility that you can control, including diet, exercise, alcohol use and smoking. Quitting smoking is one of the best natural ways to boost fertility. Women who stop smoking double their chances of getting pregnant each month.3 This benefit gives you a point of sale discount on the Allen Carr’s Easyway smoking cessation programme.

Acupuncturist*

There are numerous studies, which show that the use of acupuncture contributes to not only reducing your stress levels and improving how you feel while trying to conceive, but also increases your chance of success.4 You can claim contributions towards the cost of attending an acupuncturist under this benefit.

Dietician or nutritionist consultation*

Alongside exercise, smoking and alcohol, diet is another key lifestyle factor within your control that can impact infertility.3 Under this benefit you can claim a contribution from us towards the cost of attending a nutritionist or a dietician consultation.

Digital Doctor

As a member of Irish Life Health you have unlimited online & phone GP consultations provided by Medical Solutions UK Limited. You can speak to a GP anytime day or night over the phone, or if you would prefer a face-to-face consultation, the online video service is available 08:00 to 22:00, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays), 08:00 to 20:00 on Saturdays and 10:00 to 18:00 on Sundays.

GP Visit*

You can claim a contribution towards the cost of attending a GP.

Getting Pregnant

Understanding all the options open to you

Sometimes, no matter how well you plan and prepare, it can be difficult to know how long it might take to pregnant or what unexpected obstacles you might encounter along the way. Approximately 15% of couples in Ireland** deal with fertility issues which is we have a range of benefits that contribute towards the cost of fertility treatments, tests and screenings.

Before you consider any treatment or if the time is right for you, the Dublin Well Woman Centre recommend the following:

If you are under 35 and you have been trying to get pregnant for one year without contraception, or if you are over 35 and you have been trying for six months*, you might want to consider trying these next steps:

Step 1: Talk to your GP to discuss your options
Step 2: Research the different options available
Step 3: Check your health insurance cover to understand what benefits your plan provides
Step 4: Check your budget
Step 5: Make an informed choice

Fertility Benefits

Consultant visit*

With your consultant visit benefit you can claim a contribution towards the fertility consultation.

His & Hers Fertility Screening tests*

There are several tests can be performed to assess fertility. These include a semen analysis for the man and blood and hormone tests for the woman. You can claim a contribution towards the cost of His & Hers Fertility Screening tests.

AMH (egg count) test*

This can be helpful for women to try to work out how much fertile time they have left. Women have a fixed number of eggs that decline with age. The AMH test is helpful in indicating the number of eggs a woman has left and therefore, her fertility potential. You can claim a contribution towards the cost of an antimullerian hormone test.

IVF, IUI, ICSI Infertility benefit*

There is a range of treatment solutions to help overcome fertility issues and maximise your chance of having a baby. With this benefit you can claim contributions towards the cost of Intra Uterine Insemination (IUI), In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) treatment.

Fertility Preservation (these can’t be claimed along with the IVF)

-Egg freezing cover*

We will contribute towards the cost of fertility preservation through our Egg Freezing cover. This benefit can be used with any provider; it is a pay and claim benefit which means you need to pay the provider yourself and submit the receipt to Irish Life Health.

-Sperm freezing cover*

Sperm freezing is the most successful method of preserving a man's fertility so he can try to have children at a later date. We will contribute towards the cost of sperm freezing with any provider, just submit your receipt to us to for claim for this benefit.

International Second Opinion – Fertility

As a member of Irish Life Health you have unlimited access to our International Second Opinion Service. This benefit offers an independent review of your diagnosis and treatment plan from one of a range of leading medical centres around the world.

Maternity Mental Health Support*

Infertility can have a profound impact on women's mental health and on the person as a whole. The most common mental health concerns reported by fertility patients are symptoms of anxiety and depression.5 Under this benefit you can claim a contribution towards the cost of counselling sessions provided by Nurture (a specialist maternity mental health support) for antenatal, postnatal depression, fertility issues and miscarriage support.

Healthy Minds

Another, more immediate option is your Healthy Minds benefit. It delivers all-round support with professionally trained counsellors on hand 24/7 to listen and give you considered and practical advice. To access it simply call 01 562 5150.

You can also download the LifeWorks App which provides self help toolkits and online programmes that you can work through in your own time. Download the LifeWorks app in your preferred App store and use ‘ILH-’ followed by your member number as your invitation code to sign up e.g. ILH-1234567

GentleBirth App

The GentleBirth App provides everything you need for a more relaxed, positive pregnancy, birth and parenting journey. Each day you are guided through a unique brain training programme tailored exactly to your circumstances. You’ll learn simple effective breathing, mindfulness and medical hypnosis techniques that you’ll be able to use long after your baby arrives.

GentleBirth combines brain science, with birth science and technology. There are four options available specific to where you are on the parenting path - Fertility, Pregnancy, Parenting and Special Circumstances.

** Source: Infertility and Its Treatments - A Review of Psycho-social Issues - The Women's Health Council

¹https://www.mobihealthnews.com/content/fitbit-launches-period-and-ovulation-tracking-platform
² https://www.yourfertility.org.au/sites/default/files/2018-08/The_role_of_exercise_in_improving_fertility.pdf
³https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-stopping-smoking-boosts-your-fertility-naturally/
⁴ https://www.everymum.ie/getting-pregnant/fertility/how-acupuncture-can-boost-your-fertility/
⁵ https://www.ncmedicaljournal.com/content/77/6/427

*Some benefits must be carried out by registered practitioners – see your Membership Handbook for relevant bodies. Some terms & conditions may also apply; please refer to your membership handbook.

Benefits depend on individual level of cover. See our table of cover to confirm.