NHS IVF fail... what happens now? - Fertility Network UK

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NHS IVF fail... what happens now?

Jaygee profile image
15 Replies

Hi all

I’m 99% sure my 1 free round of ivf has failed. Not surprised at all! Feel like it was a waste of time. Anyway.... what happens now? While I know I can’t get any more ivf am I basically just booted out the door and on my way? Will they help with further tests? I’m still non the wiser to why we can’t get pregnant. Any help would be great x

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Jaygee profile image
Jaygee
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15 Replies
Picalilli99 profile image
Picalilli99

We did not have a great experience after our one and only NHS funded cycle failed. It did feel like everything suddenly ended. As far as I can remember I think we had to actually really push to even get a follow up appointment, which ended up being quite a long time after and gave us no answers or info to take forward really. I don’t know if that might just be the norm, and often there aren’t really any answers to give. But hopefully you have a better experience xxx

Jaygee profile image
Jaygee in reply to Picalilli99

Thanks for this. That’s what I thought.... basically just left in the dark! I will be kicking up a stink as different bits have not been done as expected. I’ve never had my estrogen tested in the 2 and a half years I’ve been trying and I’ve had to pay for it private to come back extremely low. I will be raising this with the consultant. What are your next plans ? I do feel like I’ve hit the end now unless I start throwing thousands of pounds at it...

Picalilli99 profile image
Picalilli99 in reply to Jaygee

Good luck with your appointment. Unfortunately our experience was quite some time ago now (2016) and we’ve been paying privately ever since. Just moved to our 3rd clinic. Really pleased with the service we’ve had from them so far. I’d definitely recommend visiting a few different clinics if possible, if you choose to go private. Gives you a chance to get a feel for the place as they can be quite different xx

Jaygee profile image
Jaygee in reply to Picalilli99

Yes we’ve got some money saved but although the clinic was meant to be one of the best ones in the area I feel like I have been poo pooed and left at the side as I’m NHS not private, so I’m reluctant to try there again. Have you tried abroad ? I have fingers crossed for you for this round! X

Picalilli99 profile image
Picalilli99 in reply to Jaygee

Thank you. Both mine and my husbands jobs would make it quite difficult logistically to have treatment abroad so we haven’t really thought it would work for us. But many women on here seem to have positive experiences so definitely worth looking into xxx

AnnieAnnie profile image
AnnieAnnie

Hey there, as part of my 2 nhs funded cycles I received follow up appointments after each failed one although my cycles were carried out by a private clinic. I didn't have to wait too long for the appointments and even managed to get in quicker on one of them by being put on a cancellation list. Other than this though, there has been no support or further investigations offered and I've just been left to get on. I pushed my clinic to give me more clomid at my last follow up to try and at least do something whilst I try and figure out what to do (it's been 8 months and I'm no further forward) xx

Jaygee profile image
Jaygee in reply to AnnieAnnie

Hello there ! I might push for letrozole as I tried clomid and I ovulated but ended up with hardly any lining it thinned it so much. I doubt they will help me. I feel like there’s nowhere to turn now. Have you decided what you will try next ?

AnnieAnnie profile image
AnnieAnnie in reply to Jaygee

Anything is better than nothing and why not give it a try. But push for them to give the prescription at your appt so that you don't have to go back for another app and pay the extortionate fees. My 30 clomid tablets cost £13 so well worth the time in asking. Whilst waiting for my nhs cycles I paid privately for scratches, uNK cells biopsies and a blood test for clotting issues. Turned out I have a clotting issue and was prescribed clexane but this still didn't get me a bfp!! I get what you say and maybe try going back to your GP and asking whether there is anything else that they can do? Or at your follow up, ask? I'm moving abroad and hoping to do a year of travelling with my husband and furbaby. I've been trying to push to get seen by a specialist in relation to possible endo and have said time and time again is there any chance I could have this as I've suffered with symptoms since I was a child. Finally had a scan and have potential adenomyosis but still waiting to get seen by a specialist and that's a 17 week wait and my plan would be to push for a laparoscopy. By which point I will be gone. So it's likely I will have to look into getting treatment abroad whilst there. Feel let down by this also as no one seems to take me seriously. Good luck with your follow up xx

Jaygee profile image
Jaygee in reply to AnnieAnnie

I totally agree with you. I feel like everything I’ve said I’ve been told “no it’s not that”. I know my own body! I feel for you as it’s like banging your head against a brick wall. Sounds like you’re going to have a great time abroad! I’ve told my husband I want to do Greece next year and Iceland in September. I’m sick to death of not having proper holidays just incase it clashes with hospital appointments. Putting my life on hold has not got me any closer to having a baby so I might aswell just enjoy myself! I’m sorry the doctors haven’t listened to you regarding ends. You might find you get much better service abroad! X

AnnieAnnie profile image
AnnieAnnie in reply to Jaygee

Yep just don't really seem like I get listened to. But hoping I can get sorted abroad or at least some help. We have been the same, we put holidays on hold and I even stopped studying which has affected my progress in my career to help put everything into making our 2 nhs ivfs work. 8 years of ttc and nothing to show for it, except a blood clotting gene mutation. Maybe go for those holidays and then decide your next steps after "living" again. Wishing you all the best and hope that you get on those holidays next year xx

amandac84 profile image
amandac84

So sorry xx

anonmous23 profile image
anonmous23

Hi Sorry to hear this, have you tested yet though? and did you get any frozen out of the procedure? With NHS if your first fresh cycle fails and if you do have any frozen embryo the 2nd one should be free again its after this you will have to think about going private. x

Jaygee profile image
Jaygee in reply to anonmous23

Hey ya. Basically they didn’t drain my left ovary properly of eggs so I only got eggs out my right so ended up with no frozen. Again, feel like I’ve lost out due to someone else’s incompetence!

anonmous23 profile image
anonmous23 in reply to Jaygee

If you don't feel you were given the right chance you can contacts PALS from your hospital and they will investigate for you.

Nodds profile image
Nodds

Hi! We had a similar experience with our x3 IUI and x1 IVF on the NHS. The 'follow-up' was pretty routine and didn't give us any answers nor a sense of what was our next step; so what you've experienced is pretty standard. I was convinced I had immune issues; however the NHS refuse to acknowledge this and so felt that our next step was a private clinic. We went to a couple; both left us feeling a bit deflated and we've had poor experiences at the one we chose - so now looking elsewhere.

What I would say is that you know your body better than anyone else, don't be put off by 'experts'. I knew that I had immune issues and eventually had this validated... so I now have an answer and a plan of action; HOWEVER it has cost us +£3k to get us to this point; and that's without any IVF/ ICSI.

Choosing a fertility clinic is a bit of a minefield and so take your time, do your research and don't feel talked into spending money. Go with your gut instinct and make the most of their 'free' open days - go along with loads of questions!

Lots of luck xx

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