Exclusive: Katelyn Hughes, 29, and her husband Joel always wanted to be parents but didn't anticipate it would cost them $50,000 and counting.
They're among the one in six Australian couples affected by infertility, many of whom are going into debt to start a family or can't afford to try in the cost-of-living crisis.
The average total cost per standard cycle for In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) in Australia can range from $11,500 to $17,000, according to Minerva Fertility.
READ MORE: Aussies on good money are being priced out of parenthood
Medicare rebates may apply to specific components but even then, IVF can be prohibitively expensive for some would-be parents.
The couple started IVF in 2021 and were floored by the cost.
"We had just gotten married and we were really focused on trying to get into the housing market [but] all of our money was spent on IVF," Katelyn told nine.com.au.
Have you got a story? Contact reporter Maddison Leach at mleach@nine.com.au
She fell pregnant in 2023 on their ninth round of IVF but son Fletcher was stillborn at 26 weeks.
The heartbreaking loss only made the couple more determined to have another child.
Now on their 15th round of IVF, Katelyn and Joel have had to dip into their superannuation.
"There are so many more costs than just the direct IVF cost," she said.
"There's years of testing and trying, medications, mental health support."
Katelyn also had to drop down to part-time work for the flexibility to continue with IVF, slashing their income.
The Hugheses know continuing IVF will have a huge impact on their long-term finances and retirement plans but will do whatever it takes to have another baby.
They'd like to see more targeted investment in IVF to support Aussies dealing with infertility have children.
Increasing Medicare rebates, reducing out-of-pocket costs, and supporting more cycles could make a huge difference to couples already struggling with the cost of living.
"IVF isn't a lifestyle choice – for many, it's the only path to having a child," Katelyn said.
Rowan Berry, 33, and his wife Anastacia, 35, had to delay starting IVF for longer than they'd like due to the cost-of-living crisis.
READ MORE: 'Australians aren't choosing careers over children, they're choosing financial survival'
"Our rent has increased from $620 per week to $750 per week in the last couple of years," Rowan told nine.com.au.
"House prices to become unreasonable for anyone who is struggling to begin a family."
Grocery costs are also through the roof, so it took the couple a while to save up for IVF.
They've been quoted up to $1000 for specialist appointments and $1200 for each IVF cycle in NSW.
"We only have the finances for one attempt but we will find a way to do more if we have to," Rowan said.
They feel the cost is worth it after eight years of trying to start a family naturally and suffering two miscarriages.
READ MORE: This surgical procedure is booming in Australia as cost of living bites
Jenna Adams, from South Australia, said the cost of IVF ruined her family financially.
She and her partner spent more than $50,000 on multiple cycles in the 2010s.
They had to access their superannuation and sell Adams' car to afford it and managed to have two daughters, now aged four and two.
Becoming a mother has been one of the biggest joys of Adams' life but the cost was crippling.
"We still haven't been able to financially recover," she told nine.com.au.
"It left us with nothing left in savings and we've had to make voluntary contributions to our super to try and build it back up."
Going through multiple rounds of IVF also took a significant and lasting toll on her physical and mental health.
Adams would have loved to have more children but with the cost of living and the price of IVF, it just wasn't possible.
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