Don't know what to do.

[danni-jade]

hello all i am in a lesbian relationship its been 4 and a half years and we finally want to start a family together. i asked my doctor today what my options are to have a baby like artificial insemination, im not sure if i can actually have kids yet because i have polycystic ovaries syndrome but i want to just try but i dont want to fork out that much money for an insemination. How much is it for a IUI?? will the nhs pay? how do i know if im eligible for the nhs to pay im a uk resident. My doctor said he dont think nhs will but he didnt really explain anything :/ im so down i feel like the world is closing down for me. i am ready for a baby got everything ready. Please can somebody help me

[Lynnr54]

Hi Danni-Jade, different areas of the country may well have different eligibility criteria. The NHS website says a same sex relationship is eligible for IUI funding per national guidelines but as many women on here will tell you local CCGs don't have to follow the guidelines and have their own. It's definitely worth investigating further and there is a website somewhere which will tell you funding criteria for your CCG. I have a friend in a same sex relationship and she thinks in our area they will be eligible for 1 funded IUI attempt (which is the same as the IVF funding in this area). In relation to your PCOS your doctor should be able to refer you to a specialist for them to help you work out what your options are, whether IUI is likely to work or whether they recommend going straight to IVF. I would definitely recommend getting this checked out further before starting any treatment as there's no point in having a round of IUI if your PCOS is likely to mean it wouldn't work. Sorry can't be of more help, but definitely suggest you speak to your doc again to see if he is prepared to refer you further to at least have a chat with spleen who can help you work out what your options are. Good luck!

[Hopeful1982]

Hello

Have a look on the fertility fairness website. It gives the criteria for fertility treatment in each area of the country. It's been a while since I've looked so I can't recall what it says about same sex couples but maybe a good starting point.

If you need to go privately costs vary it you could always make an initial appointment with a clinic to discuss your options and take it from there. The HFEA website lists success rates of all NHS and private clinics so again is a good place to start researching clinics.

Good luck x