Single and have PCOS

[BeefLasagneForMyTea]

Hi I'm desperate for a baby, I will be 30 next year. Last year I was diagnosed with PCOS. I haven't had a proper natural period for nearly a year. I was on the pill for 2 months at the end of last year to "flush out my system" (doctor advised).

I went to the doctors in January to ask for advice on having a baby via sperm donor and was told as I'm single there is no funding available on the NHS (yet if I was a lesbian in a relationship I would get funding!!)

I work in a minimum wage job so saving up is going to take a long time. I've got a special savings tin which I'm putting between £50 and £100 a week away into. It's probably got £500 in it which isn't going to get me a baby any time soon!

In the meantime, I'm trying to lose weight as I need to shift at least 3 stone.

Do any of you have experience of donor conception with pcos?

[BeefLasagneForMyTea]

One thing I am thinking about is, if I have to have IVF, to do egg sharing so I can help a woman who can't use her own eggs to have a baby. I believe this can reduce the cost too?

I can't afford thousands of pounds but I really want a baby. I could take out a loan but I don't want that sort of debt if I am successful in having a baby.

[pinkflowerbluesky]

It's really hard, OP.

The good news is that time is on your side and £500 is brilliant :) I'm trying to shift 2 stone before TTC so we can buddy up a bit.

Have you had any tests yet? They are quite expensive and they like you to have them within a six month window of TTC. Mine cost £635 at my clinic and then IUI with donor sperm is £1300. IVF is so eye wateringly expensive I just haven't given it any thought yet.

[pinkflowerbluesky]

Hmm, egg sharing is great in theory but in practice I think there's a tendency to take your best eggs for the recipient massively reducing the chance of a successful pregnancy.

[BeefLasagneForMyTea]

I haven't paid for anything yet. What tests are needed?

I hadn't thought of that, pinkflower!

[pinkflowerbluesky]

My clinic did blood tests and a scan to see my fertility. You also have to have a counselling session, it's a bit of a waste of time to be honest.

When you get the results back they will tell you if IUI is worth a shot or IVF.

Cost wise, it is cheaper abroad but they do still have anonymous laws in different parts of Europe. I'm so glad we have this board so I can admit it's something I'm considering

[pigeonpoo]

You'd have to check if you can even egg share with PCOS - I was told no but I also have endometriosis and unsure if it was that or PCOS or both that ruled me out now... But excuse the pun don't put your eggs all into one basket till you've checked if your eligible and the chances of treatments working

[BeefLasagneForMyTea]

I think my main focus right now is to lose weight and save money, get myself healthy and hopefully my periods will return.

[pinkflowerbluesky]

Buddy up with me! :) What diet are you following, or is it just 'eating healthy' in general?

[BeefLasagneForMyTea]

I'm starting slimming world next week