The family of the first baby born due to intervention from Northern Health’s fertility service recently made a special visit to the health service’s women’s health hub to celebrate her birth.
Sarah and Matt Rowe had been trying for a baby for some time. All around them, their friends were having babies, and they were concerned with why it didn’t seem to be happening to them.
While it appeared to come easy to others, they were really struggling and the disappointment was beginning to take its toll.
The couple became aware of the state government’s new Public Fertility Care through their GP.
They obtained a referral and an appointment was made for them at Northern Health, their closest satellite service.
The service is offered by Northern Health in collaboration with The Royal Women’s Hospital.
The couple undertook nurse-led ovulation induction, a process where medication is used to stimulate and induce regular ovulation, allowing for more accurate timing of intercourse.
“We really had no idea about the fertility process and we assumed we would go straight to IVF. Instead, we went through ovulation induction which was a different experience to what we thought we would have, but a successful one,” Sarah said.
This proved successful, and resulted in their beautiful baby girl, Lola.
Sarah, Matt and Lola paid a special visit to Northern Health’s Women’s Health Hub when Lola was just two weeks old. The team at Northern were thrilled to meet Lola and experience first-hand the impact of their work and how it can change the lives of our local families.
The couple were overjoyed with Lola’s arrival, describing the experience as ‘surreal’.
“Having access to the service and being able to access it so close to home is huge for people and families in our situation,” Sarah said.
Northern Fertility Service registered nurse Jacque Dulson said Patients who never thought having a family would be possible are now overjoyed that they are able to access a free fertility service.
“It means that the ability to pay is no longer a determining factor in whether or not you have a family,” she said.
Free public fertility care was first introduced by the government in 2022 and has since welcomed 50 babies into the world.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas said the public fertility service was making a difference to many Victorians.
“Welcoming a new baby into the world is an incredible experience, but for some Victorians this journey isn’t always straight forward – the arrival of beautiful baby Lola is proof that this service is game changing for many people who may not have been able to start or grow their families otherwise,” she said.
“Ewe can help more prospective parents and encourage locals near our Northern Hospital satellite service to talk to their GP or specialist about a referral.”
