Westward Ho!

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When one thinks of the western provinces, visions of picturesque coastline, rugged mountains and rolling plains come to mind. While the geographical landscape from British Columbia to Manitoba is diverse, the landscape of infertility remains constant for those living the experience. Feelings of isolation, hopelessness and disappointment are all too familiar. However, there are six centres in western Canada providing fertility treatment.

In preparation for this article, these centers were contacted and asked to provide the information they would like to share with the readers of the Canadian Journal of Infertility Awareness. This journey through fertility treatment in western Canada will begin in Victoria, British Columbia and end in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

The province of British Columbia covers a total of 359,279 square miles and has a total population of 3,907,735, 75% of which are located in the southwest corner of B.C. The female population between the ages of 20 to 44 is 723, 490. The average household income in B.C. is $57,593. There are 3 fertility centers in B.C., 1 in Victoria and 2 in Vancouver.

The Victoria Fertility Centre (VFC) was established by Dr. Stephen Hudson in May 2003. VFC is a state of the art fertility operation offering all forms of fertility treatments in a comfortable and easily accessible clinic. Dr. Hudson is currently the sole clinician and personally supervises every patient’s care. VFC regards itself as a “boutique” fertility clinic priding itself on providing individualized and personalized care to every patient.

With his undergraduate training in Cape Town, South Africa, and post graduate training at the University of British Columbia, Dr. Hudson has been involved in reproductive medicine, prenatal ultrasound and high risk obstetrics for 15 years. He is an assistant Professor in the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of British Columbia.

Laboratory director and principal scientist Dr. David Mortimer brings with him years of international experience in the field of reproductive medicine. Embryologist Carole Lawrence who moved to VFC from Ottawa in 2003, has been working in invitro fertilization (IVF) for over 15 years and is one of the first group of Canadian embryologists to train in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). In addition Carole has extensive andrology experience, and is especially experienced in processing surgically retrieved sperm.

Reproductive psychologist Dr. Janet Takefman spent almost 20 years with the McGill IVF program before moving to Victoria, and is internationally recognized and published in her field.

Genesis Fertility Centre in Vancouver, B.C. was established in 1995 as a tertiary care ART facility by Drs. Margo Fluker and Albert Yuzpe. Genesis has adopted an integrated team approach to infertility management that involves medical, nursing and psychological care. All services are provided in a completely discreet, confidential and patient-friendly environment.

Referrals are received from the couple’s family physician or gynecologist. Once reviewed, any outstanding tests or procedures deemed necessary are arranged prior to the initial consultation. Following evaluation and diagnosis of the couple’s infertility situation, possible treatment options are discussed at the consultation. If IVF or ICSI is the chosen course, the couple will have a private “orientation” appointment with a nurse to review all aspects of the treatment including the schedule, medication protocol, side effects and self-injection instruction. Patient-frendly strategies to minimize disruptions to their daily routine include take-home information videos, blood testing at satellite labs and nurse contact via e-mail. Psychological counseling is included in the cost of each IVF or ICSI treatment cycle and a list of experienced, infertility counselors throughout the province is available.

The UBC Centre for Reproductive Health is a not for profit medical program that began in 1981. UBC has the distinction of having the first “made in Canada” IVF baby in 1983. Since its inception, the UBC Centre for Reproductive Health has provided comprehensive reproductive care.

Under the direction of Dr. Timothy Rowe (Division Head) and Dr. Anthony Cheung (IVF Medical Director), the UBC Centre for Reproductive Health is a tertiary referral facility supported by the facilities of the Vancouver Hospital Health Sciences Centre for elective and emergency care, as well as the resources of the University of British Columbia and the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility.

The physicians at the UBC Centre for Reproductive Health are members of the UBC Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Their subspecialties include reproductive endocrinology, andrology, tubal surgery and endometriosis.

The nurses on the Centre’s team are experienced in the area of infertility and in addition to working with other members of the team, provide individual emotional support, teaching and a link to community resources. Laboratory personnel perform specialized procedures, such as sperm testing, in vitro fertilization, embryo culture, cryopreservation of embryos, intracytoplasmic sperm injection, assisted hatching and blastocyst culture.

A psychological counselor is available to provide support to understand and cope with emotional and psychological aspects of the infertility process. For those in the IVF Program, 3 hours of individual psychological counseling in addition to a weekly drop in support group are included in the IVF fees.

Alberta, the most western prairie province has 255,285 square miles and a total population of 2,974,810 (Statistics Canada, 2001). The female population between the ages of 20 to 44 is 557,215. The average household income is $64,199.

There is one center in Calgary, Alberta providing IVF treatment. In Edmonton, fertility services are available for investigation and treatment other than IVF at the Edmonton Regional Fertility & Women’s Endocrine Clinic –             (780) 491-5609.

The Calgary Regional Fertility Program has been established since 1984. The medical staff at the clinic includes: Dr. Calvin Greene, Medical Director, Dr. Selma Scott and Dr. Joseph O’Keane. The clinic will be welcoming a fourth physician Dr. Ben Wong this summer.

The medical staff at the Regional Fertility Program provides consultation in the diagnosis and treatment of all infertility disorders. This includes tubal factor, ovulatory, cervical factor, unexplained and male factor infertility. The physicians offer experitise in laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery. Microscopic tubal reversal for patients who have undergone a tubal ligation is also available.

The Program offers a wide range of reproductive services including induction of ovulation with clomiphene citrate and gonadotropins and is augmented with intrauterine insemination.

There is a very successful donor sperm program for couples or single women pursuing anonymous sperm donation. Dr. Greg Kosak, a consultation urologist, provides surgical service for retrieval of sperm including MESA, TESE, and       PESA. Dr. Greene provides consultation for men who have sustained spinal cord injureies or have other causes of anejaculation providing virostimulation and electorejaculation sperm retrieval treatments.

The Regional Fertility Program has earned a reputation of having one of the largest and most successful IVF/ICSI and embryo cryopreservation programs in Canada. In addition, the clinic offers Assisted Embryo hatching and Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (for identifiable genetic disorders). 

Dr. Selma Scott coordinates a very successful third party reproduction program. Patients who have a medical indication for ooctye donation or surrogacy can be referred. These programs are altruistically based where the donor/surrogate have volunteered and are known to the recipient couple.

All services including consultation and advanced reproductive technology treatments are done within the clinic itself. The clinic also provides emotional support by providing access to Registered Marriage and Family Therapists and a Chartered Psychologist. The Regional Fertility is pleased to offer an onsite licensed pharmacy staffed by two licensed pharmacists.

New patient consultations to the clinic are accepted by physician referral only and can be faxed to (403) 284-9293. For more information about the clinic, the telephone number is (403) 284-5444. Look for a Regional Fertility Program website coming in the summer of 2004.

Saskatchewan, the central prairie province has an area of 251,700 square miles, a total population of 978,935 and a female population between the ages of 20 to 44 of 166,590. The average household income in this province is $49,068. There is one fertility center in Saskatchewan located in Saskatoon.

The ARTUS Centre is centrally located in the beautiful city of Saskatoon. ARTUS, Assisted Reproductive Technology at the University of Saskatchewan, is located within the Royal University Hospital and is part of the College of Medicine and of the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences. The center is directed by Dr. Allison Case, who works closely with all the physicians working at ARTUS, including Dr. Femi Olatunbosun (Department Head), Dr. Donna Chizen, and Dr. Roger Pierson (Scientific Director). 

The IVF team is very close knit and includes Jackie McVee (Program and Nurse Coordinator), Jeaneil Mutch (Embryologist), Janna Haughian (Embryologist/Research Assistant), and Lisa Classen (Administrator). The ARTUS Centre services mainly Saskatchewan residents with some referrals coming in from nearby provinces. The Centre prides itself for providing a friendly and caring environment, specializing in individualized care.

The most eastern prairie province is Manitoba having an area of 251,000 square miles and a total population of 1,119,585. The female population of this province between the ages of 20 to 44 is 197,160. The average income per household is $50,756. There is one centre in Manitoba for fertility treatment located in Winnipeg.

The Heartland Fertility & gynecology Clinic was established in 1997 by Dr. Jeremy Kredentser, Dr. Francis Lee, and Dr. Gordon McTavish to provide a full compliment of women’s health care including gynecology, surgical procedures and advanced reproductive technology.  Heartland Clinic is the only IVF program available to people within a 500 mile radius of Winnipeg. The clinic is located minutes from the airport with easy access to several nearby hotels.

A professional qualified staff is committed to providing support and the best treatment possible with strict confidentiality. The wide range of services available and individualized care helps patients make informed decisions regarding their health care. 

THE WESTERN CANADIAN EXPERIENCE

Given the background rate of 15% of those trying to conceive having a problem with fertility, the population statistics for each province indicate that there are thousands in Western Canada who will be struggling with infertility. As reproductive technologies such as IVF are not covered under the medical plans of the western provinces, looking at the average household incomes of each province, shows that accessing advanced fertility treatment creates a financial burden in addition to the emotional, psychological, and physical burdens experienced by those with infertility.

Fortunately though, IAAC can provide emotional, psychological, and educational support to ease the difficult journey through infertility. Donations from individuals and fertility treatment centers who benefit from the services of IAAC are critical for the future of this valuable organization.

Special thanks to the following people for their contributions to this article

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Susan Wilson has been a nurse for over 30 years with the majority of her experience in reproductive health. Currently, she is the Program Director of the UBC Centre for Reproductive Health where she has been a member since 1995. Her education includes a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Business Administration.

Susan has been actively involved in the promotion of public education regarding infertility and particularly enjoys speaking to high school and university students. She is an ardent proponent of the Hope Fertility Fund and “hopes” to have the fund assist many more people in their quest for a family. She is a born and raised Vancouverite and is married with three children.