Paying for and deciding on private ICSI/donor egg fees and treatment

[Purplehedgehog87]

We are now moving into private treatment after exhausting our NHS funding; we are looking at one more round with my eggs (physically cant do any more with the mental toll and underlying health issues) then likely DE if this doesn't work.

We've looked at options to pay as you go, some combined packages with full refund (assured), some partial packages with some refund (care fertility).

With our track record of poor embryo development, fragmentation and only ever having 2 failed transfers out of 15 embryos so PGTA has been recommended but I'm not sure my own eggs will work even with different approach. If we go for combined own and DE package we will spend about 24k and it works without needing donor but it gives 100% refund if doesn't work with assured.

However if we pay as we go for next ICSI separate and doesn't work, then move to donor it's 23k if we just pay for that then a DE round (6eggs), or there's a 50% refund for 2 rounds of DE and we'll end up paying 31k with care.

We are struggling with deciding on the best option, wondering how people worked out finances or have any advice about deciding which is best. Any words of wisdom or advice appreciated!

Thanks so much x

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Purplehedgehog. My goodness, just look at what you have been through. I’m sure you have done so, many times. A huge pat on the back for both of you, with my thoughts of moving forward using an egg donor. I have dealt with many couples and singletons who have created wonderful families with this method. I don’t know what to say except for saying I wish you perfect success next time. Thinking of you. Diane

[6yrsincounting]

may I ask why you don’t just go to DE? We have had two failed round of IVF with own eggs and we too can only afford one round of IVF. We will go straight to DE as we have a better chance of success. I just wonder if you looked at using DE only you would give yourself the chance to have more than one round privately? I am aware this is personal choice. For us we know it will be our baby and unfortunately for us cause I had such poor responses in both previous rounds, our only logical choice.

[Purplehedgehog87 in reply to 6yrsincounting]

I feel I was mismanaged, its about the balance between regretting not doing this again with an amazing doctor and the approach I had suggested before but was ignored. Haven't ruled out going completely DE from start, it's just so hard to know what to do and why it's not a no brainer!

[Doodlebug23]

I had failed NHS own eggs in 2018 and started double donor private refund guarantee last October. Mine was £17k 3 rounds and all embryo transfers included. My clinic is in Spain. They are amazing x

[Purplehedgehog87 in reply to Doodlebug23]

Have you had any success if you started last year? X

[Doodlebug23 in reply to Purplehedgehog87]

No unfortunately not. I ended up with 3 embryos first round. Fresh transfer December 22, frozen transfer Feb 23, cancelled transfer May 23 due to bleeding and frozen transfer July 23. All BFN. Just started second round with new donors and waiting to see how many embryos I get fresh transfer should be in the next couple of weeks. X

[Nutellalover123]

unfortunately i dont have this experience to comment on however i am interested to hear about the costs and i didnt even know clinics did guarantees and refunds.

we are hopefully going to get 1 round on the NHS in the next couple of years. we have been waiting for a referral for 6 years already. my husband however said he is unwilling to spend our saved money on trying for a baby with no guarantees so i find this intreguing.

[Purplehedgehog87 in reply to Nutellalover123]

Once you've had a failed ivf usually you are not eligible for refund packages x