IVF costs & affordability

[Sunflower8686]

Hi all,

I'm just curious for those in the UK how couples are affording fertility treatments because we don't have health insurance which covers this type of treatment and most private hospitals don't allow you to use the medical credit cards as fertility is apparently a nice to have 😒. It seems really wrong and I guess looking for some feedback/advice on how people are able to afford so many rounds. It's something which worries me if I need to do this again in the future. I've had one NHS funded round and one self paid which I'm hoping is successful. Thanks 👍

[SKC111]

I’ll DM you

[Hidden]

Great question - I often wonder the same. We used equity from remortgaging to pay for a two cycle package through Access. In hindsight we probably should have got three cycles, as only had 1-2 embryos each time. But we couldn’t really afford it with medication costs on top. So, we’ve had to draw the line at two cycles and if it doesn’t work, find acceptance in that. Best of luck with everything x

[Sunflower8686 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, how have you found the experience with Access? Do you have to travel far to receive treatment? I'm currently 40 mins from my hospital. Do you mind me asking how old you are and whether you found this to be a problem with Access. Thanks all the best 🙏

[DogMum7]

I think this is a really good point to raise as you don't often see the financials discussed! We're in a position that if it doesn't work on the NHS we can't afford £15k privately (and it seems irresponsible to get a loan when having a child itself it's so expensive and it may not even work 🥺) I'm assuming many people have large savings or inheritance they can use? There is also access fertility which gives a % back if unsuccessful so always an option. But I looked into this and due to my age (38) the return wasn't great. I don't feel old but infertility certainly makes me feel it!

Also maybe consider treatment abroad. I've heard success stories from a couple of people now about clinics in Prague and Spain and they've both said they did it because of cost!

[Sunflower8686 in reply to DogMum7]

Thank you, this is really helpful 😊. I've had a few DM's about Access but I'm wary. I'm also 38 and I know what you mean about feeling old in the fertility world. I noticed that clinics names can't be mentioned in the posting rules but curious which ones in Spain/Portugal these ladies used. Wishing you all the best on your journey have you started treatment? Hopefully you got lucky with 3 rounds of NHS funded treatment I think it's rare we only got offered 1.

[DogMum7]

Thanks my lovely. I actually don't know the names but i'll try find out and DM you. The Spain ones I've seen on here too so worth searching the posts and DM'ing people. It was my hairdressers sister who went to Prague and had success first time - who then told her friend who went and did the same! I'll ask her the clinic name. Can't quite believe their luck but I've heard that we are pretty behind on IVF technology and process in the UK which is shocking.

We get x2 rounds free and we're having our first nurse consultation next week with the first round to be done within 2 months - it's been a very long wait and just thinking of how much time we've lost makes me nervous! I'm just glad we get to try this year.

Also, I play the lottery way more now - just in case 🤣 xx

[Sunflower8686 in reply to DogMum7]

Yes, the NHS is a very long wait I can relate & I feel they made us loose time as well. I have regrets trying to start a family so late but I really wasn't to know it would be this difficult, it was never discussed in my 20s or 30s. People need to talk about it more to prevent others having to go through this later on in life. I'm hoping all these challenges will result in good news in the end. Everyone keeps telling me woman in there 40s getting pregnant and I'm not old but it's doesn't feel like it's that easy! I'm glad you got two rounds, that's really good & rare these days. Thanks for finding out the names of the clinics, it's always good to have options. Lol to the lottery I do that too! 🤣

[Twiglet2]

We have used a mixture of saving and 0% interest credit cards with a. Pay down plan for when the 0% is up. It’s good to set a limit in your mind though as the bills can really rack up! We have had 5 private rounds so far and some frozen transfers on top and need to purchase the donor sperm on top of that so we have spend upwards of £40k for sure! As I’m over 40 we don’t have access to any of the payment plans but use an nhs facility and pay private which keeps the costs down a bit for us x

[Sunflower8686 in reply to Twiglet2]

Thanks, that's something to consider if we have to try again. It's so difficult trying to navigate this journey and figure out what's the best thing to do.

[Twiglet2 in reply to Sunflower8686]

I used to feel a bit guilty as it’s money I could be spending on my 3 year old child I had via nhs funded IVF and not a great start for another child to be in so much debt BUT money isn’t happiness and I am sure my wee one would prefer a sibling to more expensive toys/holidays etc and we would rather a child with debt than none at all but the problem is what of it doesn’t work? And that was hard to get my head around but I couldn’t live with the ‘what if’ even if it didn’t. So it’s a really personal decision and everyone will have their own feelings and limitations on it, not just financial as it also takes over your life physically and emotionally too! Xx

[Loveelou]

Hello!

I live in Hampshire where NHS funding stops for over 35s! So that meant no access to it despite being a high tax payer. The people I know going through IVF manage(d) due to high salaries and savings, parental help or taking on debt. There are also plans which have restrictions (I used access but they still require a payment plan of quite a large sum of money each month!)

It seems private IVF is left for those with access to huge savings or those lucky enough to have family to fund it. I also noticed at my NHS/Private clinic that there are more options if you are privately funding and definitely limited if NHS.