Fertility services coming to northern Ontario

A southern Ontario-based in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinic will soon offer services in the northern community of Sudbury.

The Markham Fertility Centre (MFC) recently announced it will be partnering with clinics in Barrie-Innisfil, Orillia and Sudbury and opening a satellite clinic in the city.

Renee Higgins, of Sudbury, recently gave birth to her son, Jackson, through IVF on Oct. 19. Nov. 6, 2024 (Amanda Hicks/CTV Northern Ontario)

Sudbury’s Renee Higgins recently gave birth to her son, Jackson, through IVF on Oct. 19.

Higgins said the feeling was surreal after what felt like a long road.

"It's hard to explain in words what it feels like to be here," she said.

"You know, we were trying since Christmas 2019, so we're almost five years later now to finally having him in our arms. And it's just been unreal. Like, I've never been so happy. I've never felt like this. I just look at him and I start crying sometimes because I can't believe he's actually here."

Higgins became pregnant on the seventh try of IVF, through treatment from the Markham Fertility Centre (MFC).

Higgins estimates she and her husband travelled to southern Ontario at least 50 times, a cost of $100,000.

Throughout her journey, she has become an infertility advocate and has long hoped for increased access to IVF services in the north.

She worked closely with MFC to try to expand their services in northeastern Ontario.

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"This is just going to open the door for so many more people. And it's not only in Sudbury that it's helping," Higgins said.

"There's tons of people all over northern Ontario that were travelling through Sudbury to get to Toronto. So, this will help them, as well."

Dr. Meivys Garcia, a MFC infertility specialist, said 30 to 40 per cent of their patients come from outside the Greater Toronto Area.

"Fertility care is difficult for people," Garcia said.

"It's expensive. It requires a lot of time. Sometimes, the journey can be very long. So there are barriers already, regardless of where you live. But then on top of those barriers, you know, you're adding five, six-hour commutes."

She said satellite clinics will reduce travel time and the cost of travel and accommodations.

"With the satellite monitoring, patients can now, in their own community, take about 10 minutes or 15 minutes or less than an hour of the time to go and have the satellite monitoring, the bloodwork, the ultrasound,” Garcia said.

"They're going to meet with the nurse there. They're going to be able to get their medications. And then the doctor, the fertility doctor is going to get that information. They can get the instructions for the next step, and they can do that in their communities."

Recently, the Ford government announced $150 million over two years to improve access to fertility services and the addition of a tax credit to help families seeking IVF services.

"It's like my three biggest dreams all coming true in two weeks, after, you know, five years of running for it," Higgins said.

"It's just been unreal. I can't even describe in words how I feel."

In Sudbury, MFC will partner with WELL Health clinic on Larch Street. Garcia said if patients use the IVF services and further treatment is needed, patients aren’t under any obligation to use the MFC.

"We want to make sure that this satellite location can work with other fertility clinics so that patients, regardless of which fertility clinic they choose to work with, have access to this," she said.

Garcia said they are currently looking for a nurse to work at the Sudbury clinic and then, in the next few months, they will start to move in some equipment.

They plan to offer IVF services by spring 2025.

Higgins said she is enjoying motherhood and will continue to share her story and advocate for those struggling with infertility.

"When I was in it, I found a lot of times I was googling success stories and that was what gave me a lot of hope. So that's why I'm continuing to share my story," she said.

"I hope that people see me as an unlikely success story, and if they choose to continue treatment, that they find some inspiration and hope."