Couple crowdfunds IVF treatments to have a baby

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- There's a new trend you may have seen with people asking for money through crowdfunding websites to pay for medical treatments or their needs after a tragedy.

But now, couples having trouble conceiving are using these campaigns to start a family.

Everyone knows babies are expensive, but some couples are seeing the bills pile up before they're even pregnant. IVS costs are $15,000 every time and some couple are finding out that crowdfunding is their best option to having a baby without going bankrupt.

Kate and Ben Lundquist launched what they call "Operation Baby" on a crowdfunding website called YouCaring.

They asked for help after years of trying to get pregnant with no luck. Kate said In vitro fertilization was their best chance for a baby, but the cost was tremendous. "We were looking at about $17,000 total, that is all out of pocket," Kate said.

ABC News Chief Women's Health Correspondent Jennifer Ashton M.D., breaks down why it's so pricey. "The In vitro fertilization drugs cost about $5,000, then you go through a process known as stimulation where we are injecting more drugs and monitoring with ultrasounds, that's about another $2,500," she said.

It costs thousands of dollars more for the embryo transfer, anesthesia, and lab fees.

Crowdfunding sites are seeing growth in fertility-related fundraisers.

GoFundMe reports at least 1700 IVF campaigns have raised more than $3 million.

The Lundquist's raised $4,100, which was enough for them to move forward without maxing out their credit cards. "I really felt that if we didn't ask others for help, that we would not have the opportunity to have kids," Ben said.

The donations made Kate and Ben's dreams come true twice as they found out they're having twins.