Post IVF abroad obstetric care

[Whatsazzles23]

Hi, we are thinking of doing IVF abroad with DE, my GP has just scared me saying NHS might not provide obstetric care, has anyone experience of conceiving abroad and then having baby in UK. I am in older age range so it will be unlikely I conceived naturally.

[Shirazlover2013]

Hi whatsazzles, that sounds like a load of b0ll0cks to me. If you are entitled to nhs treatment already then there is no change if you became pregnant regardless of how it came to be.

At best I can only think this GP is misguided, I know my GP wouldn’t write me any prescriptions locally for my private DE ivf treatment abroad. Only the treating doctor can prescribe medications. But all other entitlements remain the same incl EPU (for any early scares) and standard midwife care from 10weeks ish onwards.

Hopefully some people with experience can confirm for us. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.

[MissSaoPaulo]

How would they even know WHERE the baby was conceived? And what difference would it make anyway? Would they deny care for someone who conceived naturally while away on holiday?!? I haven't been through this, but it doesn't sound right at all - it doesn't make sense. There are plenty of ladies on here who have conceived abroad and had the babies in the UK, so I hope you can get a definite answer to put your mind at rest but I'm calling BS on this. Good luck with your treatment, wherever you end up going xxx

[IvfStruggler]

Hi! Of course you would get obstetric care! But the only thing is that you would not automatically get services such as Beta HCG bloods or viability scans at 7 weeks because NHS doesn't automatically provide this. You can arrange these privately so this shouldn't be an issue really (you may also think they are unnecessary and just skip them). For the rest they would not care where you got pregnant. Good luck! Xxx

[ChloeDE]

We did DE treatment abroad recently and had no problems at all receiving treatment during pregnancy. I am appalled that your GP would even say that to you. The fertility journey is difficult enough without medical professionals (who we trust to care for us) scaremongering. X

[Twiglet2]

GP needs a complaint put in against them! What a disgusting thing yo do make you worry for no reason! Anyone who is pregnant (no matter how, where or when) is entitled to all the pregnancy services on the NHS.

You won’t get anything bar a conversation before 12 weeks though (same as naturally conceived). So if you want a viability scan or blood test before then you will need to pay private (both readily available and reasonably priced) Luckily your care will be led by the community midwifes and maternity unit and you can avoid this GP like the plague!

Seriously though you should at least email them to tell them how misinformed they were so they don’t say this to any other patients and worry them 😥

Good luck in your journey 😘🤗 xx

[Lkc2015]

If you are living in UK and are a citizen/have residency you will be entitled to obstetric care. The only thing you might have to sort privately are early scans (about £60 each) and meds the IVF clinic want you to take for first 12 weeks. Don’t know why your GP has told you this?!

[Cinderella5]

I had DE abroad and was well looked after so dont worry! Your GP is talking nonsense!! You will get everything anyone else in the UK gets when they find out they are pregnant. The only things you may not get is blood tests the check your hCG after a positive test and an early scan but that's it.xx

[Jess1981]

I agree wholeheartedly with the others. Every women is entitled to NHS antenatal care regardless of how they conceived! The care you get will depend on whether you are assessed as low or high risk. Even if you are low risk you will be able to book in at 8 weeks for the midwife have a scan at 12 and 20 weeks and regular heartbeat checks every appointment from 16 weeks onwards as well as urine tested to ensure all is ok. Obviously you will meet the health visitor a month before baby is due and will have regular visits from midwives following the birth and a 6 week check up by GP for you and your baby. Your GP is talking rubbish and I personally would register a complaint against them as that has worried you unnecessarily and having infertility and treatment is tough enough mentally without this misinformation. Xx

[Whatsazzles23]

Thanks everyone your support has given me new confidence

[Chiefy]

I'm currently pregnant via ivf in UK with own eggs. The only time any note was made of my pregnancy being ivf was with my midwife in my booking appointment. I wasn't asked where my ivf took place or whether it was with my own eggs. Just whether it was via fertility treatment (it can be a risk factor for some conditions later in pregnancy it appears).

In fact, we were referred for nhs fertility treatment via gp but actually went private because of covid delays. I can't see how even my gp practice would know that my pregnancy was via ivf and wasn't a natural conception because I'm not aware of my private clinic sharing data with my gp, and they would only know if they accessed my maternity notes.

To be honest, the only involvement I have had with my gp since falling pregnant is having a uti diagnosed and them prescribing antibiotics. They aren't involved in antenatal and obstetric care at all and so I can't see how your go is even in a place to comment! Utter BS