NHS v Private

[Lau94]

I don’t often post but I finally have got out of being an emotional wreck after my bfn and thought I’d turn to you all for some advice...

The week before lockdown I was due to have our first initial appointment to start our process we had already had our tests done and after trying to conceive for 18+ months found out my husband has a low sperm count. The covid-19 happened and understandably things were put on hold. I know that clinics may be re opening but who knows when we might get our appointment... so we looked into private and it all sounds good knowing the wait wouldn’t be long and things would get moving quicker but ultimately the cost of paying privately is a struggle and a worry.

Could any one shed any light on how long an NHS journey could take compared to going private?

And if anyone has any success stories having experienced low sperm count as a reason for fertility concerns that would be highly appreciated as I’ve got myself stuck in a rut and Convincing myself to give up!

Sorry for the long post... any advice or information would really help me out 💛

xxx

[Italy300618]

Hi lovely, for me our nhs round took 8 months in total from first appointment to treatment, it felt like the longest time of my life! We have male factor too, but hubby has azoospermia so he has to have it surgically removed. 2 nhs rounds no success so we have moved clinics and now paying privately.

We went for a consultation in February and was 3 days from starting medication in March before it got cancelled, so it is a very quick turnaround. Yes it is very expensive, weve been fortunate to borrow if from a family member, but if you are in the position you can afford to do it, I would say go for it. It takes out the stress of waiting too long, and I do think the nhs clinics will be slower to resume (especially if hospital)

Good luck, and the ladies on here are truly wonderful so always ask if theres anything you're unsure of! Xxx

[Hidden]

Hi love. Gp referred us to the hospital which took roughly a year to do tests (blood and semen) and laparoscopy and 6 rounds of clomid. In the end diagnosed as unexplained and referred to fertility clinic. The clinic again took roughly a year for tests until first round of icsi. After CP the nurse told me to wait two periods and ring back for fet but Covid happened. In hindsight i would have considered to go private and still thinking to do so if this situation is going to take long x

Also what i would do differently is taking the extra supplements the ladies here recommended for better chances x

[fertilitystruggle]

Hi Lau94,

I really hope this doesn’t put you off but I started my process from going to the GP in 2017 and in 2020 I finally had my first cycle of IVF.

This is how it happened in each order;

1) GP appointments

2) blood tests (about 2-3)

3) waiting for referral

4) found out I had a cyst in my right ovary

Therefore I needed laparoscopy and had to check if my Fallopian tubes were blocked or not and this delayed the process a lot for me.

5) laparoscopy

6) getting referred back to the fertility clinic

7) starting the egg collection process

8) Doing the egg collection and freezing embryos

9) waiting 3 months before I can do my first embryo transfer

10) successful transfer but ended in a miscarriage.

If you can afford to go private you should but if you can’t then NHS may not take you long as it did for me.

Good luck💛

[Sorax]

Do you mean first initial appointment for ivf? We got put on the list in November and had our first appointment with a nurse to go through paper work then a consultation in December then started ivf in February we was lucky it happened so fast and that was all on the nhs. I think it all depends where you live and what the waiting lists are like I’m guessing it varies all the time. My partner had low sperm count so we had icsi 😊 luckily first round worked I’m 10 weeks pregnant. Do not give up!! Have all your tests come back okay? Xxx

[Catlady12345]

Hi Lau,

I think it’s dependent on your postcode and the services in the area. We were also lucky, and through the Nhs everything was done quickly, bloods, sperm test, hycosy, scans etc - nothing found all unexplained after 3 years of trying. We signed the paperwork and pretty much started straight away as there was no waiting list - we’re in Chester area.

Good luck and I hope it all works out for you! We had one round, fell pregnant on the first go but unfortunately ended with a miscarriage. It hasn’t deterred me though as now at least I know I can get pregnant! 😊

Sending lots of love xx

[Suzy86]

I think as others have said it’s totally dependent on your area. Last year I got referred in December by my GP after having had all tests. I had first consultation at the clinic in January and started February. They said I could have started January but I’d just missed the window for my cycle! I couldn’t have gone any quicker if I’d have chosen to go privately so I’d wait and see what your area is like before you decide. Good luck xx

[Lau94]

Thank you all so much for your advice it’s helped me so much! We’ve been discussing lots about what we’re going to do. I’ve had my tests done too so it’s just deciding whether or not to wait with the NHS. Think we may wait a little while longer see what happens with the NHS and when we may get our appointment as we were just accepted into the clinic and had our appointment date before it got cancelled and with everything else going on at the moment and re assess in a few months time. All your advice has been so useful and I really appreciate it!

Everyone in this group is so lovely and helpful! I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions again!

Sending lots of love and wishes 💫

xxxx

[Weareback2 in reply to Lau94]

Some nhs clinics wo t take you if you go private first then go back to nhs so please check!

[Goyjung]

Hi

mine nhs funding took almost 2 years from start to finished and resulting in bfn.

I had 11 eggs 7 fertilised but only one was make it to transfer. Due to covid I have not had follow up appointment to find out why did not work. I was wondering why from 11 eggs to only 1 left.

We are in the process of having another round with private clinic which cost£2500 (not Inc freezing embryo £995.00)

Have you heard of abc IVF.? There is almost half price compare to the rest but you have to meet their criteria.

If you are 37 and BMI under 30 you should contact them to find out.

[Luce123456]

Hi, I had mine through the nhs but done privately if that makes sense? We too had Male factor infertility and the gp asked if we would like to have it at nhs hospital or private clinic. There was no waiting list for the private clinic and it felt more personal sonwe opted for that and I'm so glad we did I couldn't fault the experience. We were referred beginning of October and seen in october at the clinic. We were asked when we wanted to start before or after Christmas as all clinics including nhs shut down over Christmas. We decided to enjoy Christmas and start in January. I hope this helps. It's different trust to trust but definitely worth asking If they will find privately

[Pharmacistguide]

Hi. I have had both NHS and private treatment at the same hospital. I also work in the NHS as a pharmacist. As you were already about to have your initial appointment with your clinic that suggests to me that you are not on the waiting list to be seen. When everything restarts the clinics will try to be fair and see everyone in order- the referral from gp to clinic is the longest wait. NHS fertility services will also want to reopen when it is safe to do so as many also run private clinics so it is a source of income for them too.

I have noted the advice given by other people already but this is now a very unusual situation. We don’t know when everything is going to restart- and even when it restarts all the healthcare professionals are already preparing for a flood of people to come in- wish we had a break before the second set of mayhem begins but we are where we are. By all means do your homework, but no harm in finding out when your appointment will be rebooked again and take it from there x

[MrsWright87]

Hey lovely.

Our journey was 18 months, we were 2 weeks away from egg collection when all this started 😢 we aren't sure when nhs clinics will reopen or if funding will still be available so we are exploring a private clinic. We have a telephone consultation with them on Tuesday to discuss everything and we are hoping that it won't be too much longer after that before we can get started again 🤞😊 xx

[Goldchanel88]

Hi Lau94, I am an NHS ICSI patient and all in all, I've waited over 3 years and underwent 2 failed cycles. Between the waiting and cycle treatments. If I had the money, I would have gone private for sure - as I wouldn't have waited so long. I am 42 years old.

[Ivfabroad]

Hi

I would definitely say nhs is slow and they waste so much time .

I had tests done on nhs which they said was fine . Husband sperm analysis was fine too. My BMI was slightly high and I got it down . I wanted them to check my Fallopian tubes if they were blocked and they refused and said if you haven’t conceived in 4 years they must be blocked . What a joke .

So we went private . To Greece . Did all the tests in 2 days . Started the treatment in February and literally after the 2 week wait I was pregnant and now am 12 weeks.

I actually regret we didn’t try private few years ago as I am now 35 . We used our own eggs and his sperm. But we did IVF with ICSI it slightly more effective in your situation and mine as my eggs were of low quality .

Please don’t waste time with NHS.

Good luck xx

[Cilla1812 in reply to Ivfabroad]

Hi. Can you please inbox me the name of the hospital in Greece? Thank you

[ChloeDE]

We had treatment through the NHS at a private clinic. I think we had to wait about 8 months from first appointment to starting treatment. They only get a certain amount of funding each year and we had to wait until a new funding cycle kicked in.

We had 2x unsuccessful rounds on the NHS, in the UK. We have now moved to having treatment in Czech Republic. It's significantly cheaper and the level of care is very high.

My partner also has sperm issues. We are using ICSI to help with fertilisation and MACS to help select the best sperm. X

[Sweetie123]

Hi there,

Where abouts do you live? I have had both a fresh cycle(NHS) and a frozen cycle(Private) at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds. I had to travel over an hour to get there but it was so worth it. The results speak for themselves.

A little bit about me and my partner... my partner has low sperm count and I have PCOS.

My doctor referred me to my local hospital who carried out some tests including a laparoscopy and then referred us to Seacroft Hospital. They were absolutely amazing, I was referred in December 2015 and by March 2016 I had a fresh embryo transfer which resulted in our 3.5 year old son. At the time the fresh embryo was transferred, we had one embryo remaining which we decided to freeze. We paid yearly (£300) to store the embryo at Seacroft.

In October 2019 we decided it was time to get the frozen embryo transferred which we had to pay privately for as we had already used the NHS the first time. We paid £1500 standard fee then £500 medication so £2000 in total. We honestly believed there was no way it could work again as we were so lucky the first time. We had the frozen embryo transfer at the very beginning on January 2020 and I can’t believe it I’m 20 weeks pregnant and just found out I’m having another little boy.

We owe everything to Seacroft and I honestly can’t recommend them enough. If you live anywhere near I would 1000% try get referred there.

There is so much hope, please don’t give up. It might take some time to initially get referred on the NHS but it is worth it. I know age plays a factor too and I am 30 so maybe have age on my side?

Wishing you so much luck if you ever want to chat please just message me. I am proof that IVf really does work xxx

[Florencenightingale]

We werent eligible for nhs as my partner has kids. But my nhs doc was my private doc. I made the appt for 17th jan and started on my next cycle which was 30th jan so no wait at all really.

Started taking meds 31st jan (short protocol) a d had transfer 17th feb.

Xx

[Lau94]

Thank you all for your replies, it’s been so helpful to hear others stories.

We had a phone call from our doctors this morning booking us in for our initial appointment we were due to have in March. We are still a long way off anything yet but it’s made me feel so much better to know things are looking like they might be going in the right direction!