NHS vs private IVF

[jengi]

I have been informed that we will only be eligible for 1 IVF treatment. I presume a treatment involved up to transfer of fertilised eggs? What happens if eggs don't fertilise? Is that stage just repeated?

Has anyone gone down the private route? Will we need to change clinic or just pay the NHS? If we need to change clinics, do we start from the beginning again with blood tests, AMH, HyCoSy or will NHS give me my notes to take with me? How much does private IVF treatment cost?

Any advice on how to deal with this at work? Should I inform my line manager that I am having medical treatment? I'd be grateful for any experiences or advice.

Thanks in advance

[emu2016]

Hey Jengi, what I would say is it varies from trust to trust! So in my trust; if they didn’t get eggs collected then it wasn’t classed as my free attempt. However; a neighbouring trust classes a free attempt as fertilised eggs.

With the private route it depends if your clinic offers what you need privately. You might have to change hospitals. But we took all our test results with us. I know a friend who moved to a private clinic and all tests had to be repeated. Costs vary massively!

With work... you’ve got to do what you feel best. You might need time off for appointments. I’m lucky I don’t have to tell people; can just jiggle my diary. But actually telling your boss can be helpful.

Don’t be worried about asking questions! Have you bought any books to read? x

[jengi in reply to emu2016]

Thanks emu2016. I've just looked up my clinic on line and it does both NHS and private. I've not bought any books, can you suggest any?

[emu2016 in reply to jengi]

This was helpful

amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/009192...

Zita West’s Guide to Fertility. Some women on here have also found It starts with the egg really helpful too xx

[jengi in reply to emu2016]

Wonderful, thanks a million. I've just downloaded the audio version of 'It Starts with the egg' and listening to it already!

[Aleelilook]

So I had 2 NHS ivf cycles at a private clinic which took NHS patients, and two more at the same clinic, so it’s been an easy transfer, so might be worth looking into hospitals/clinics that cater for both? Results wise like Emu said it really varies, but you can phone up and have a chat beforehand to see what their policies are.

With regards to work I was really honest, but it depends how you feel, you might prefer to take holiday leave for some scans etc. Xx

[jengi in reply to Aleelilook]

Thanks Aleelilook. This is really helpful. I'll phone them tomorrow to ask what constitutes an IVF cycle.

[Penders]

Hi we don't qualify for NHS funding so have had to go private. My GP did some initial blood tests to check I was ovulating and check my thyroid, then we decided to go to a private clinic but took the test results with us. I had my hycosy done privately at the clinic we chose. Including meds, freezing and the bloods for both of us (hiv screening etc) it all came to just under £5,500. All clinics are different tho! Xx

[jengi in reply to Penders]

Penders, thanks a million for sharing this. Was this in the UK?

[Penders in reply to jengi]

Yes this was in uk xx

[Dunla]

Just with regards to your notes, you can request a copy of these in writing from NHS and take them with you. There will likely be an admin fee.

I told my line manager at work and it was actually a big help as it meant they were actually really empathetic about letting me out for appointments x

[jengi in reply to Dunla]

Thanks Dunla.

[GiantPanda]

Hi there, I started off with NHS tests resulting in being told we weren't eligible for NHS funding (due to dor - I'm 41) but could have the ivf/icsi we needed at the same hospital through their private company. I was doubtful about them as the consultant had told us we weren't eligible without even having our up to date test results and just seemed to be looking for reasons to decline us (eg my husband using e-cigs even tho he uses 0%nicotine liquid....). He also told my husband his low motility /count probably wouldn't be an issue if he was married to a 22yr old, yet we went to the private clinic open evening the next day and same consultant was giving an 'I say 40 is the new 35!' speech. So I did feel it was a bit too salesy.

I did look into another private NHS clinic but we'd had to have gone through another GP referral so in the interest of a quick start we've gone with the first one but asked for a different consultant.

I have had my eyes opened as I thought we'd receive a better service as private patients, but aside from lack of waiting list, we've still been chasing appointments, puzzling over conflicting info and being spoken to like children - but I can only speak for this clinic!

I have been able to cut some of the costs by asking for some tests on the NHS - eg they were going to do a hycosy on the nhs, and we also got the viral blood tests done at the gp. I'm getting my meds from asda too as it's £180 cheaper for mine, but having to get my own sharps.

Sorry that was a bit of an essay, but I guess I'm saying remember you have a choice and if you have the time, check out all options. Hopefully you won't need to look at a second cycle though! Good luck. X

[jengi in reply to GiantPanda]

Thanks a million, this is really useful insight. I'm sorry that your consultant wasn't very professional.

[Hidden]

Hi we are with INVICTA in Gdańsk. They have big success rates and prices very good and online. No extra hidden charges either. They seem to do things a little more in depth than nhs. They also have procedures that are only available in 10 clinics in the world. Maybe worth a wee look. We did donor eggs. Got ten and used ICSI. 7 went to blastocysts. Two transferred top quality last Tuesday. They test day 3/6 and ten so they can adjust meds to give best possible out come. Language a slight barrier but they have a team dedicated for UK. Next set of bloods today 🙈. You have to get scans and bloods done in UK and email to them but that is no hassle. Gdańsk is beautiful, cheap and flights cheap too. Good much lovely xx

[jengi in reply to Hidden]

Hi Snuggles144. Thanks for sharing. I must admit, I have just had to google Gdansk....its in Poland, I've never been! Do you know if you are saving much money by going there compared to private in UK? I'm expecting costs to be about £5-6k for a private IVF treatment in UK.

[Hidden in reply to jengi]

I think we are. Their website gives costs. Are you using your eggs or donor? X

[jengi in reply to Hidden]

We haven't got that far yet. We only had our first appointment on Tuesday last week. I need to have a blood test to test for AMH and re-do my d21 progesterone (which isn't for another 2 weeks). I'm also waiting for an appointment to have HyCoSy done. Then, I guess the doctor will discuss options. An internal scan of my ovaries showed up low follicle numbers, only 3 on one ovary and they didn't say anything about the 2nd. I was too upset to ask about the other ovary Its all still sinking in. I'm 38 so perhaps shouldn't be too surprised about the low follicle numbers. Trying to remain positive and take back some control by doing research and talking to you lovely people on here. I'm so glad I stumbled across it. I don't feel so alone any more!

[Hidden in reply to jengi]

I was gutted to. My AMH came back at .5 I’m 42. I went through so many emotions it was a very difficult time. We have opted for donor eggs and the price was around 4600 euros. Less if using your own eggs. The results are so high with the clinic we have INVICTA GDANSK. no real other costs and importantly for us we have kept it our secret no one knows which makes me feel better. It is such a journey. I seen so many much younger ladies in early 20’s with very low AMH which must be difficult. I didn’t understand that when we are born we are born with the total amount of eggs we have for life. Obviously so have much more than others. I wish you so much luck on your journey and hope you get everything you hope for. Please do not be hard on yourself xxx

[jengi in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for sharing your story. It is a very emotional journey. I still can't talk about it without crying, I've so many emotions rolled up together. I wish you so much luck on your journey and I too hope you get what you are dreaming for, I'd love to know how it all goes, so please drop me a line. Stay positive. Xx

[Hidden in reply to jengi]

Aww sweetie please don’t cry it will be good in the end I promise. I am hear to ask any questions to any time I understand. Choosing a donor route was so difficult too. Please don’t be scared to ask. Big hugs xxx

[jengi in reply to Hidden]

Awh, thank you Snuggles144. I can imagine that deciding to go down the donor route was a challenging decision but oh my gosh, how amazing that this route exits! So many options. Sending you lots of positive vibes. Hugs to you too lovely Xx

[sanchia46]

You may as well go for your free nhs attempt first. If that doesn’t work you can go private

[jengi in reply to sanchia46]

Thanks. I've researched my clinic and it is both NHS and private. So this is good news. Yes worth taking free NHS attempt first and then taking it from there.

[GiantPanda in reply to jengi]

Best of luck Jengi! X

[alockie]

a few friends of mine have been successful with private treatment in Poland, much much cheaper