Can anyone give me some basic info about IVF

[katierocket]

is it true for e.g. that if you already have one child you can't usually get IVF on the NHS?
Any info and or/links to useful sites would be really helpful
Ta

[Flumpette]

Hi. I think it depends on the health authority. I approached my Dr. to pay for the drugs only for our 2nd attempt.

They wouldn't pay as we already have a ds which I totally understand as I'd expect the money to go towards childless couples first.

Why don't you talk to your GP?

[elliott]

It is the PCTs (Primary Care Trusts) in England and Wales that set the funding criteria for IVF treatment for local residents, and it varies from place to place. Contact your local PCT for a copy of the funding policy. I must say I don't know of any areas that fund treatment if there is already a child within the partnership. Some also refuse funding if either partner already has a child with a previous partner.

[bubbly1973]

we live in wales and they wont fund us as we have one child already (conceived through fertility treatment paid for by nhs)

like flumpette, im greatful for my little boy and understand that there are childless couples who desperatly want a child

in saying that though i dont agree with the fact that they wont fund a couple if one of the partners already has a child from another relationship

good luck if you are looking into doing fertility treatment

by the way, i was told that our doctor may fund the drugs...but my doctor wouldnt as whilst i am having treatment with the hospital gp didnt have any control of me as a patient so they were reluntant

drugs for me so far have cos £200, and adding up

[ladymuck]

I guess it depends on what aspects of IVF you're looking at. The HFEA site is one starting point. www.ivf.org.uk has some info on the process (though this is the site of a private clinic so doesn't cover funding). As said there is still a bit of a postcode lottery on funding, and I don't think that I have seen a single overview of the position anywhere. We got our drugs paid for each time, even once we had a child, though we were limited to 2 cycles of drugs per financial year. We did have to pay for all treatment once we had a diagnosis though.