Latest News

Our Scientific Director will attend the International Alpha Conference later this month

Ashley Stevenson our Scientific Director is to attend the International Alpha Conference in London at the end of this month. This conference is for Scientists in reproductive technologies and aims at presenting and updating Scientists on the latest worldwide news and technology advances. For more information on the conference click here.

Stay tuned for updates on all the news Ashley brings back.

Click here for more of our LATEST NEWS STORIES.

Latest Online Poll Results: What age does a woman’s fertility start to decline?

The results for our latest online poll are complete! We asked you what age you thought a woman’s fertility would start to decline. The number 1 answer selected was 29-31. The most accurate answer is actually between the ages of 26-28. As women grow older the likelihood of getting pregnant naturally decreases, while the likelihood of infertility increases. At IVF Sunshine Coast we now offer patients AMH testing, which tests for a hormone that indicates the level of eggs left in the ovaries. For more detailed information on AMH testing click here, or to make an appointment with one of our IVF Nurses click here.

To see the full poll results click here.

Nicole Kidman talks to 60 minutes about infertility and her use of a surrogate

For anyone that missed 60 minutes last night, the interview with Nicole Kidman is worth a look....She openly talks about her fertility struggles and using surrogacy as an option to extend their family. Check out the story by clicking here.

IVF Sunshine Coast presents at 14th World Congress of Human Reproduction

IVF Sunshine Coast is proud to announce that two of our very own Scientists have presented at the recent 14^thWorld Congress on Human Reproduction in Melbourne during November this year. This is a first for IVF Sunshine Coast to present at not just FSA but the World Congress and we are thrilled to report that both presentations were received well. The studies and presentations were conducted by Jacintha Luermans, Laboratory Manager of IVF Sunshine Coast, and Christine Lucas, Laboratory Supervisor of IVF Caboolture.

Jacintha looked back over 4 years worth of data which the laboratory had been collecting on a very early embryo developmental marker. She was able to show that the number of eggs collected in a treatment cycle did not seem to have an impact on this early marker.

Christine’s research centred on the introduction of a new drug used for ovulation induction – Letrozole. She compared results of Artificial Insemination cycles where Letrozole had been used, to those where Clomid had been administered. Her data suggests that the ongoing pregnancy rate for those patients who had been given Letrozole was higher than those on low dose Clomid and although it was comparable to those on higher dose Clomid, these patient cycles incurred a higher cancellation rate due to the risk of hyperstimulation. The decision to use Letrozole in all ovulation induction cycles at both centres has been a favourable one.

Both Jacintha and Christine were very humbled to have their efforts recognised on a world scale and thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to present their findings.

Triple treat for IVF Sunshine Coast couple

IVF Sunshine Coast would like to congratulate Paul and Emma McFadden on the birth of their 3 baby girls, Tara, Georgia and Macy.

To read Paul and Emma's story click here.

Gympie specialist roster now available online

As you may know 4 of our specialists have been consulting in Gympie once a week on a roster basis. Here they have been providing a full range of Obstetric, Gynaecology and Fertility services.

We are now pleased to offer our patients access to the specialist consultation roster for Gympie online.

This will enable you to find out which doctor is consulting on which day, making it easier for you to book your appointment.

For more information on this service or to view the roster head to the Gympie page under the Home tabe or simply click here.

The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital is voted top maternity hospital in Australia

IVF Sunshine Coast would like to congratulate the Sunshine Coast Private Hospital for being voted as the top maternity hospital in Australia in May this year. We are proud to be associated with the Sunshine Coast Private Hospital as we both endevour to see healthy babies born on the Sunshine Coast. To read the full new article click here.

IVF Sunshine Coast would like to introduce Dr Dana Moisuc

IVF Sunshine Coast is excited to welcome Dr Dana Moisuc to the team. Dr Moisuc adds a wealth of knowledge and expertise in gynecology and fertility. She was recently interviewed by the Sunshine Coast Daily, for the full article click here.

New specialist services for Gympie

Gympie Specialist & Diagnostic Centre IVF Sunshine Coast is excited to introduce 4 of our doctors to the Gympie region. Dr James Moir, Dr Petra Ladwig, Dr Jeff Tarr and Dr Bodgan Benga are all now consulting in Gympie once a week on a roster basis. They will be providing a full range of gynecology, obstetrics and fertility services.

The roster will be starting from the week beginning Monday the 4th of April with Dr Jeff Tarr to be the first doctor to visit. The doctors will be consulting at Gympie Specialist & Diagnositc Centre found at 78-82 Channon Street, with a view to the doctors having a regular list at the Gympie Private Hospital in the future.

To make an appointment for one of these specialsit at the Gympie Specialist Centre please call the individual doctor directly on the numbers below:

Dr James Moir: 07 5444 0799 Dr Petra Ladwig: 07 5437 7244
Dr Jeff Tarr: 07 5444 0369 Dr Bogden Benga: 07 5452 6926

For more information on the doctors and their particular interests visit the Gympie page by clicking here.

Natasha tells of fight to be mum

Click here to read the inspiring story of Natasha and her battle with cancer whilst pregnant with her baby conceived through IVF.

Surrogacy story: Sister's special gift

The Sunshine Coast Daily publishes a story on our first successful surrogacy pregnancy. Click here for the full story.

Press release: First successful surrogacy pregnancy

MEDIA RELEASE

31 January 2010

First successful surrogacy announced on the Sunshine Coast

This month local Mum Lucy Delzia celebrated the end of the first trimester in a unique pregnancy, achieved in a surrogacy arrangement with her sister Joanne as the birth mother, the first successful case of its kind on the Sunshine Coast.

When the legalisation of altruistic surrogacy in Queensland was announced on the 1 June last year Lucy chose local fertility clinic IVF Sunshine Coast, to begin the surrogacy process.

Lucy’s journey started a few years ago in 2007 with plans to move to New South Wales where laws already existed, however she held out for Queensland to pass the legislation so her sister could attempt getting pregnant in their home state without the complications of relocating.

With the pregnancy only three months along, Lucy’s baby is showing strong heart beat and vital signs in the scans she shares with her sister in the lead up to their due date at the beginning of August.

When pregnant with her first daughter Luca in 2007, it was discovered that a pre-existing heart condition was in fact life-threatening and cardiologist recommended that she not have any further pregnancies, however Lucy was determined to give little Luca a brother or sister.

IVF Sunshine Coast was confident Lucy could give Luca a full genetic sibling, as she had frozen embryos during her first pregnancy, and Lucy initiated the surrogacy process as soon as possible.

‘‘When I asked my sister Joanne to be my surrogate, she was quick to say yes and with four children of her own she just took it in her stride,’’ Lucy says of her sister’s willingness to help.

Dr James Moir of IVF Sunshine Coast says the legalisation of surrogacy in Queensland is a historic milestone, giving Sunshine Coast couples the chance to start families and experience the joy of becoming parents.

‘‘Altruistic Surrogacy offers an opportunity for parents that was never before possible in Queensland and in the case of Lucy, it was the only way she would ever be able to give Luca siblings,’’ Dr Moir says.

The recent news of Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban having their second child through surrogacy has sparked surrogacy debates around the world, but Lucy says it’s fantastic for people to be able to see surrogacy as an accessible option.

‘‘There are so many ways to have a baby, whether it be through surrogacy or adoption it should be accepted, for those wanting a child, surrogacy is really just another way to do what you can to start a family,’’ Lucy says.

Lucy’s sister Joanne says the IVF Sunshine Coast team have been such a strong support throughout the pregnancy, ‘‘In particular our nurse Brenda made the process so much more enjoyable,’’ Joanne says.

‘‘It’s very exciting after having so much trouble in my previous pregnancy to report smooth sailing so far and share this with my sister,’’ Lucy says about the pregnancy.

‘‘I am proud to be one of the first people to experience surrogacy in Queensland and am counting down the weeks until I can hold my baby in my arms,” she adds.

Lucy and her sister are documenting their experience and hope to provide useful information to others contemplating this journey and aim to publish their story later this year.