When Marissa Alexander met her best friend in Grade 3, she hardly knew she would marry him one day.
The 26-year-old husband, Ryan Alexander, married in 2020 and has been trying to have a child since then.
“Our dream will come true. We want to have a baby more than anything else,” Marisa said.
In 2023, they tried in vitro fertilization (IVF). Although Marissa was young and had no known health problems, the treatment was unsuccessful.
“It’s hard, and it’s a little far,” Ryan said.
By day five, Marissa and Ryan said neither of their advanced embryos were feasible.
Contribution: Marissa Alexander
But they are not ready to give up.
During the process of applying for funds, they learned that the second round of IVF would cost thousands of dollars. The couple estimated the first round cost as much as $15,000.
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The province does offer one-time 50% reimbursement for IVF or Intrauterine Insemination Treatment (IUI) up to $5,000. However, the couple’s first treatment still has $6,000 in debt.
“We have to choose between basically living and living on debt in order to try to have a child,” Marisa said.
But new provincial funding may change that.
In the 2025-2026 New Brunswick budget, the province announced more than $1.9 million to fund a round of IVF treatment for every household.
“This means more hope for us, because we may have a child. It may be impossible for us. We don’t know.”
Her husband added: “Even if there is such an opportunity, the opportunity to make it a reality is just a life-changing thing.”
In an email, a spokesman for the New Brunswick Department of Health said the funding announcement was an extension of the first $5,000 funding. Starting April 1, it will cover up to 100% of IVF or IUI programs for up to $10,000.
Carolynn Dubé, executive director of fertility in Canada, praised the funding, especially in light of the provincial birth rate.
“The province’s economic health is highly correlated with our fertility rate; we have a lot of data to support it,” she said.
She added: “In places where fertility is covered, babies born through IVF can account for 5 to 10% of the total number of babies born in the population, rather than where fertility is covered. Babies born through IVF account for two percent of the total number of babies born.”
Problems are common. She said one in six Canadians need access to fertility and home-building care, which can become expensive when IVF averages $20,000 per treatment.
“The first barrier for people in Canada to get fertility care is the cost of treatment,” she said.
Alexander sent a message to other families struggling with infertility.
Marisa said: “We are with them and cheer them honestly.”
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