A woman who filmed a heartbreaking plea to politicians after the government banned IVF has responded after her clip went viral.
A Victorian woman who filmed a heartbreaking plea to politicians after the government banned IVF procedures amid the highly infectious Omicron wave has responded, revealing she will have barely a few months left to try for a baby after the three-month halt.
Hours after announcing a ban on all non-urgent elective surgery on January 6, Health Minister Martin Foley told reporters that IVF clinics were being contacted by authorities and asked to cancel their appointments with clients in an effort to free up more health resources.
In the days since, multiple providers have warned that the protocols – which came into effect on January 12 and are set to last 90 days, until April 12 – will disrupt some couples’ procedures.
The government decision sparked immediate backlash online, with the woman, named Melanie Swieconek, voicing the thoughts of many in her devastating message on Instagram.
“You can’t have any idea what this will do to some women,” Melanie said, claiming the 90-day ban would mean the end of some people’s hopes to have a child.
“To put a blanket ban on IVF for three months … we think Covid is a pandemic, infertility is a pandemic, and now we’re dealing with both.
The video gained 700,000 views in two days before Mrs Swieconek’s Tuesday night appearance on The Project, where she reinforced her sentiments about the “shocking” ordeal.
She revealed she was 45 and will be ineligible for treatment when she turns 46 in October.
“So to have three months just stolen from me, and that‘s how I feel it is, is – I still don’t have any words,” she said.
“I’m still in a bit of a daze to be honest with you. I consider myself one of the lucky ones, because at least I still get those few months afterwards. Some people don’t. So there is a sense of urgency. I need every month, every cycle I can get.”
Her partner Maurizio said the saga was emotionally draining.
“The ups and downs are just terrible – really emotionally, it takes a toll,” he said.
“There‘s nothing I can do for Melanie. Unfortunately, my role is very limited, and I want to support her as much as I can, but with decisions like this, there’s nothing we can do.”
Melanie said IVF should not come under elective surgery, describing the lengthy procedure as a “last resort” for thousands of women.
“Yeah, that is I guess what is really shocking and most people don’t realise that because it’s not elective – like this is a last resort. This is our last opportunity,” she continued.
“We have tried, we truly have tried everything else and most people have even gone through other procedures before they get to IVF, so this really is our last resort and it shouldn’t really be seen as just something that, you know, ‘today we might just elect to do IVF, you know, it sounds like fun.’ It’s the complete opposite.”
The Victorian Government is under mounting pressure to reverse the deeply unpopular decision after stories like Mrs Swieconek hit the media.
On Tuesday, Deputy Premier James Merlino made a promise to Victorians going through IVF.
“We’re going to do everything that we possibly can to resume IVF services as quickly as possible,” Mr Merlino told reporters in Melbourne.
“I’ve got some dear friends who are currently going through IVF or have been through IVF so I know what an emotional toll it is, what a financial toll it is, and this is, in many cases, a last opportunity to create a family for themselves so I am absolutely empathetic.
“The message I want to send today is the moment we can boost or return to services for IVF patients we will absolutely do so.”
Originally published as Woman facing IVF battle says she is ‘gobsmacked’ over Victorian government’s ban on The Project
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