Planning ahead - looking into clinics and next steps before the current one fails.

[Cuppppatea]

Do you plan ahead for the next step and preempt the worst? Its tricky to know what to do.

I am 40 in May. Obviously I am willing this next round to be successful and for this to be the end of my IVF journey. I don’t think it will be. I do think it is unfair if I am refused another NHS round but I am aware this could be futile arguing and take up precious time. Should I be one step ahead looking into private clinics now or what? I am aware that some clinics won’t even take over 40’s so time is of the essence. I wonder if trying naturally is an option for a while too (I do think Dh sperm count will be a lot better now but need an up to date test)

Backstory -

I had a disastrous NHS round in August. No blastocysts from only three eggs collected.

We are eligible for three rounds in my borough subject to AMH, AFC and FSH results.

I had a terrible time getting my second round as we were told we were going ahead and then refused last minute - due to new FSH results - which I fought and won. We were then told we would go ahead - but the timing meant we had tried naturally that month so couldn’t do that month and were geared up for the next one. When I called on the first day of my period I was then told it wouldn’t be possible due to key dates falling on Christmas closure dates. Even the period after that would not be possible. In the mean time we have tried naturally and I’m pretty sure I had an early miscarriage last month.

So we go three months later - a quarter of a year - in the space of 6 months we have only managed one cycle.

I am told by the NHS that it is likely to be my last round due to my increasing FSH (I was just on the cusp on the last test - 8.9) they don’t think I will be eligible for another funded.

Love to all.

[MiniCeeCee]

so sorry to hear you’ve been through such a rough time, I’m holding hope for you that this transfer is the one. But on your question about planning ahead, I think I would do the same as you, there is no harm in doing so. A friend of mine used Create fertility - and imagine lots of private clinics are like them - you could get an ultrasound and a virtual consultation booked in the next few weeks (they tend to have appointments avail for the next week or two), then you can get a recommendation, all the costs through etc. That treatment plan is then valid for 3 months, so you can sit on it whilst you are having nhs treatment / if you want to try naturally again for a couple of months, but if you do then need to go again, then you’re ready to go. Maybe explore a few clinics and see what the time frame looks like. Good luck, wishing you all the best! Xx

[MrsOrangejuice]

Personally having done NHS and private, I'd start looking at private now. The NHS is incredibly slow and inflexible which is understandable, but when time is an issue it's a big factor. Private clinics can do inital consultations almost immediately and go through your history, notes, options etc, and even that alone can be helpful as sometimes they suggest changes you could consider or additional tests. Sometimes they charge for this consultation but not a huge amount and it can be refundable or put towards overall cost if you go ahead with them. I feel like I lost years on the NHS and ultimately we didn't have success with them, whereas we did a round with a private clinic the month after our NHS round and I had success from that. Given your age, you could also look at multi packages and even banking, and maybe there's no harm in starting your research now? There can be a lot of variation with clinics in terms of success rates and also their approach, who your consultant is etc etc, and if you do go down the route of paying you want it to be the right choice. Also don't give up trying naturally - I too had a disastrous round in the Spring last year (actually with the NHS clinic, but paying - worst of all options I know now... ) and the one egg we got ended in a PUL and surgery, but then I conceived naturally (for the first time ever in 10 years) waiting for my next FET. We had totally given up trying naturally given the history, this was a one-off and I'm also 40 in a few months!