NHS IVF after success: Hi, I was... - Fertility Network UK

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NHS IVF after success

Novbby profile image
14 Replies

Hi, I was wondering if there was anyone on here that had IVF on the NHS that was successful, had a baby, and then was able to get help again for another baby in the same relationship. Will the NHS help your more than once ?

I’ve read the fertility guidance from my ICB board (North-East London) but it’s kinda of doesn’t directly address it.

I know rules have slightly changed since April 2023 and there are new clauses.

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Novbby profile image
Novbby
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14 Replies
Connie290 profile image
Connie290

Hello, my understanding is that once you've had one successful pregnancy then NHS funding stops x

Skittles11 profile image
Skittles11

No I dont think they help more than once. I don't know if there are exceptions but I think overall the criteria is no funding if you already have a child. And I've often even seen that being the case even if you don't have a biological child but your partner does. I don't know if it changes if you have frozen embryos though.

Novbby profile image
Novbby in reply toSkittles11

Yeh thought as much, I did have like 6 eggs that made it which could have been frozen but because the hospital initially didn’t think they would fertilise and didn’t monitor the progress they had to discard them so I had none to freeze.

GranolaHippo profile image
GranolaHippo

Hi,

You won't find that info in NICE guidelines, I think, as eligibility is determined by your ICB (Integrated Care Board) and what they will fund locally.

You should be able to Google what yours is and then add in 'IVF' to find out what they'll fund. But, my general understanding is the same as below -funding is for first live-born child only.

JA-fnuk profile image
JA-fnukPartnerNurseFertility Network UK

To check criteria for your area -take a look at our website fertilitynetworkuk.org Access Support then scroll to NHS Funding and follow prompts with Fertility Mapper for the information you are looking for

Take care

Janet-Partner

Novbby profile image
Novbby in reply toJA-fnuk

Thank you very much , I will have a look.

Honey328 profile image
Honey328

What, if you had stillbirth from Ivf so you are still without any live child. I thought about that today.

GranolaHippo profile image
GranolaHippo in reply toHoney328

My understanding, based on my own ICB in South London, is that you'd qualify for NHS funding, as long as you've not had the maximum number of cycles permitted. Mine is very clear that you only lose eligibility (if that's the right phrase) to have the maximum number of cycles if you have had a living child. That said, the maximum number of cycles in my ICB is one, which includes one egg collection and up to 3 transfers, if you have enough embryos to have 3 transfers.

We've had a lot of miscarriages, so I had to ask similar questions.

The funding is set locally, so does vary around the country but, to the best of my knowledge, the NHS is quite humane in this area. But the cycle that led to the stillbirth would possibly count towards your total number of cycles.

You are able to appeal ICB decisions, and it might be possible to discuss with your GP. But these processes can be quite emotionally draining.

Really sorry you're in the position of having to even think about or ask this. Life is not fair. xx

Olive12345 profile image
Olive12345

You’re not entitled to a nhs ivf if either partner has a child even if one of the partners has never had a child. The guidelines are terrible 😢

Novbby profile image
Novbby in reply toOlive12345

I think it depends on your area as my ICB board allows funding even if one person already had a child outside of the current relationship.

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2

no you need to self fund the nhs criteria is that you have no children already I’m afraid. I self fund at my nhs clinic though which kept the continuity and the costs down a little so you could ask if yours does that xx

Novbby profile image
Novbby in reply toTwiglet2

Thanks for sharing , so the NHS allows you to pay is that what you’re saying?

Twiglet2 profile image
Twiglet2 in reply toNovbby

my nhs clinic has a self funding option the admin side is separate and you don’t join any nhs wait list but the treatment is the exact same in the same clinic (within the nhs hospital) alongside the nhs patients being funded. For me it was £3k cheaper per round than the fully private clinic along the road. X

Novbby profile image
Novbby in reply toTwiglet2

Wow didn’t know this that’s great, I’ll find out what ones do that.

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