Clomid on NHS for second baby?! Help needed!

[Rg1987]

Hi all,
Wondering if anyone has been in a similar situation to me? Or has any words or wisdom?
To sum up our situation, I was diagnosed with PCOS as a teenager and have always had very long cycles. I started taking Metformin which helped shrink them a little but still very long. We thought we would have little chance of conceiving naturally but amazingly, we got pregnant in 2017 and I had our son last summer.
I'm 33 and would like to get cracking with trying for baby number 2 later this year...
My problem is this....I'm pretty sure conceiving last time round was a crazy fluke. The cycle we conceived in was 60 days long and it was complete luck that we got pregnant. Being 18 months older and knowing that luck was involved last time round, I really would like to see if we would qualify for using clomid or some kind of fertility assistance to get my cycle more regular so we have a higher chance of conceiving more quickly.
My question is....will the NHS let me go on clomid even though I've already conceived and haven't been actively trying for a year for baby number 2? If so could I appeal that decision? And if not how much is it to go private for clomid? We have money saved up for this as we assumed we'd need money for help in this area.
Any thoughts or help very gratefully received! Thanks everyone

[Lunablue765]

Hello I have pcos also was told at 26 I wouldn't be able to have children without help but my first pregnancy at 29 I fell naturally so I naively thought I'm cured tried for nearly two years moved to a different area had another referral for fertility here and was told I could have clomid but I needed to lose weight. I however did fall pregnant naturally again but sadly miscarried and the gynae doctor refused to help after that. But in answer to your question yes you can get help for secondary infertility xx good luck

[Rg1987]

Thanks for your reply. Very sorry to hear about your loss. Xx

[itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted]

I don't know if clomid falls under fertility treatment in which case the NHS won't fund if you already have a child? (Same as IVF)
I think I read somewhere on the NICE guidelines that the NHS won't prescribe clomid for unexplained infertility but maybe because you have a formal diagnosis that may change things?

[Rg1987]

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted thanks for your reply. My local CCG website is useless and goes into depth re their policy on IVF but doesn't even mention less invasive fertility treatments

[firsttimekat]

I approached the dr in similar circumstances to you and was told there was no support for people who already had children. I think it varies depending on area so you'll probably need to go an ask.

[Rg1987]

@firsttimekat thanks...I thought this might be the case. If you decided to go the private route, how did u end up choosing a private clinic?

[firsttimekat]

We didn't. My DH wasn't as bought into a second as me and didn't want to spend our limited savings on something that might not happen and wanted to enjoy our life with one. I'm not sure I've accepted there will only be one yet, but that's for a whole different thread! Good luck with whatever route you go down.

[Rg1987]

@firsttimekat it's so difficult to decide isn't it. Sometimes I think that money would be better spent on our DS and I feel guilty for wanting more children. Other times I feel the opposite. Lots to think about! Thank you. And to you!

[MyDcAreMarvel]

You can have an online consultation from
a doctor for a clomid prescription here
www.instantecare.co.uk/clinics/infertility/clomid
I think it’s about £40 for a months supply.

[codenameduchess]

Some trusts do offer treatment like clomid for 2nd, your have to check with yours specifically but not before you've been trying for a year. My gp was happy to prescribe me metformin for ttc after 6 months but you need a lot more monitoring with clomid.

Try naturally then get a referral if you need it?

[firsttimekat]

I was aware of the availability of clomid online thanks to MM and spoke to my DR about it. She advised against it really strongly, with PCOS there is a significant risk of overstimulation which can be really serious and really needs close monitoring. Perhaps if I'd had it with my first without problems then I'd have thought about it but he was a natural conception and I couldn't risk my health.

[Rg1987]

@codenameduchess thank you! Seems like it's another postcode lottery again! I think I'll have to go and speak to a GP to see what our area's policy is!

[Rg1987]

@firsttimekat completely agree. Googling clomid online and some horror stories come up! Will definitely go through GP whether NHS or private

[Butterfly20201]

@Rg1987 I know it’s been a few years since this was active. Just wondering how you got on? Finding myself in a similar situation. Thanks x

[Threebecomesfour]

@Butterfly20201
Hey! So after this post, we actually decided to postpone everything a good 6 months to give ourselves a break.
Around January time 2020 I contacted my GP who saw me for 5 minutes and gave me a referral for the infertility clinic. She suggested I would be seen and then offered a course of 6 x Clomid or Letrozole with monitoring (scans etc...) So that was really positive but then the pandemic kicked off big time. I waited months for a letter confirming an appointment, and when I finally got one through, the appointment was for around 4 or 5 months later (autumn 2020). Obviously I think the pandemic meant there was a backlog of people and appointments.
So we decided to have a private appointment having felt like we'd already 'wasted' however many months. It was organised for the next day and cost us £200. The private consultant prescribed me Letrozole at 2.5mg straight away but it didn't make me ovulate. The following month she upped the dosage to 5mg which did make me ovulate. On the second month at this dosage, I fell pregnant and now have a 6 month old!
So basically... in my area you DO get access to some help second time around but it may come with long wait times.
I feel so lucky we were able to pay for the private appointment. I think overall we probably spent around £500 in with scans and prescription costs. So... obviously expensive but in comparison to other more invasive infertility treatments, a drop in the ocean really.
Hope that helps... and best of luck! X

[Butterfly20201]

@Threebecomesfour I’m so glad this all worked out for you! How amazing and congratulations on your little addition! Our first time around I didn’t ovulate either, we didn’t fall pregnant until the 6th cycle - so lucky 🍀 so fingers crossed we’re this lucky again!
Thank you for an idea of the costs too, I thought it’d be much more, so that’s a relief (even though it’s still a lot).
Enjoy your little one xx