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Original poster

To pay for IVF instead of waiting 4 months?

56 replies

Saturnlan · 20/08/2024 13:45

DH and I have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility and my AMH is on the lowest end of what is considered “adequate”. We are early 30s and are eligible for NHS funded IVF but the wait times at our clinic are long, and we still have another 4 months to wait until we can start the process, which even then may take us in to next year what with Christmas. The wait is driving me crazy at this point, and it is all I can think about. The clinic is also very unresponsive and it’s felt like an uphill battle to even get to this point.

We could easily afford to privately fund IVF, though it’d set us back a couple of months with our home buying plans for the future. I’m so incredibly tempted to pay privately and start the process right away, but equally is it incredibly wasteful of us to blow the money for the sake of waiting a few months? Advice appreciated

OP posts:
Rosequartzz · 20/08/2024 13:54

It's just 4 months, honestly I'd wait. Mine was a 2 yr wait, extremely low AMH and late 30s so we cracked on with private by the 2 year time frame we wouldn'thave been eligible and whilst you say you have the money the meds and anything additional soon add up. In these 4 months i highly recommend you start preparing your body for treatment. Diet, lifestyle, supplements, emotions, mental health, managing stress, think about how you would manage time off required during work, understand the protocols they would put you on etc. That alone will take 3 months to kick in.

WanOvaryKenobi · 20/08/2024 13:53

4 months is not a long time and you are still young. Having a private round can take away an NHS funded round so check what you are entitled to. Your financial and home stability right now are paramount so I would concentrate on that and preparing for the IVF as it can take a lot out of you. Good luck

Original poster
Saturnlan · 20/08/2024 13:53

MatildaTheCat · 20/08/2024 13:47

How many rounds will the NHS fund? You could start and then if it’s not successful switch to the NHS when you reach the top of the list.

How much would it delay your house buying?

NHS will fund one fresh round and one frozen transfer (if we have any to freeze) in the event that the fresh transfer is not successful.

It’d take us 2 months to re-save up what we would spend on the IVF.

OP posts:
Tinylittleunicorn · 20/08/2024 13:51

Consider whether you might need to save the money to fund future private rounds of IVF if you exhaust what is available on the NHS. For example, to potentially have a second child (depending on your area).

Or, whether you could put some of the money to good use in enjoying and optimising the time you have left before commencing IVF (I know this is very much easier said than done and completely understand your very normal fixation on getting on with having a baby right now).

Ultimately, you will make the right decision for you - and that might be to go ahead privately now because that is better for your mental wellbeing. Can't put a price on feeling optimistic and in good spirits. Good luck on your journey

ByCupidStunt · 20/08/2024 13:49

I would try to get one private attempt in before starting with the NHS.

MatildaTheCat · 20/08/2024 13:47

How many rounds will the NHS fund? You could start and then if it’s not successful switch to the NHS when you reach the top of the list.

How much would it delay your house buying?

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