Hi All. I am new to this but hoping to get some support. My partner and I have been ttc for 3 years. My gynaecologist has just referred me for IVF on the NHS?
I have been advised that I will go on a waiting list but the gynaecologist could not give me an indication of the waiting time.
Can someone who has been through it please advise as we are considering going private. Thanks. X
Hello
It completely varies depending on which hospital/clinic you are attending. I've heard of people being seen straight away and people waiting a year. If you know where the gynaecologist is referring you to I would give the unit a call and ask how long their waiting list is. They should be able to give an indication.
If you choose to go privately check whether it reduces your entitlement to treatment on the NHS. In some areas (not all) if you have a private round they deduct it from the number of NHS rounds you're entitled too (completely ridiculous of you ask me!). Of course, the NHS would only know you had private treatment of you told them!
Good luck x
Thank you so much. I will find out which clinic I am being referred to and give them a call. This page is so helpful as I find it so hard to express my feelings to friends and family. I am such a private person so this is great. Thanks again. Xxx
It is really helpful to be able to speak to people who are going through or have been through treatment. I just found that family and friends struggled to understand just how difficult this whole thing is! x
I have had private treatment (in Austria), started when I was 35, fell pregnant after first transfer 
and am now in the process of trying for baby no. 2. We haven't been as successful as the first time. It's almost been 2 years and I've had 9 failed transfers. I'm now 38 and my chances are decreasing. Looking back now, I wish I had started IVF sooner.
I know finances is a huge factor, but you need to weigh up how much you want a child verses saving money...
I have also received treatment in two clinics; the first cheaper than the second. However, the second clinic has taken the time to investigate my RIF (repeated implantation failure) situation and is taking action to improve my chances.
IVF treatment can be very difficult for women (i.e. the hormonal treatment can be an emotional rollercoaster ride), so the less time you spend on it, the better. From my experience, I would recommend quality ASAP rather than quantity.
Wishing you all the best for the future.
Thank you so much. I am 32 turning 33 this year. I don't want to leave it any longer. I wish you all the best. Xx
Hi we were ttc for 3 years had various test in June (my husband found out it is problem with his sperm) i had to have HSG In September to be able to get 3 cycles on nhs, went to local hospital start of December to say we now have been referred and said would be 4 months for appointment with IVF consultant at Leeds Hospital, the appointment came week later in post which we couldnt believe! Went at end of Dec for consultation now going in February to see nurse and start after my next period! We are in Cumbria. We were deciding if to try private or not but decided to hold out, and if we can afford a round of ivf we will save it for the end of NHS ones. I asked if i had one private would it affect my nhs ones and they said each we paid for privately i would lose an nhs one. Ive work hard full time all my life (im 33) never had anything done on nhs before so feel i deserve to have them. In a way the timescale is hard but it gives you time to prepare. You can ask your doctor the timescale etc, some areas dont have waiting lists at the moment, hope this helps
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I was only referred last week. I guess I have to wait for my appointment letter from the hospital. One friend has recommended acupuncture which is supposed to help. So I will try it as I have been extremely tense lately with everything going on.
Thanks for the advice. I am currently waiting for my first appointment. Once I have that I will be able to find out roughy how long the wait is. I am like you, I am very impaitent. However I don't think we will be able to afford private treatment. Sometimes I feel like risking it just to have my baby in my arms. Especially when I seem to be attending more christenings. Wishing you all the best too x
