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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

NHS Fertility waiting list time?

38 replies

BackAtIt · 04/06/2021 20:06

I’ve finally got fed up of fruitless TTC and am getting referred to fertility services by the GP. Just wondering if anyone knows what the NHS waiting times for fertility referral and IVF are nowadays. I have a feeling it’s going to be at least a year due to Covid waiting list, or it is this (hopefully) dramatic Confused?

OP posts:
Bellwells · 01/09/2021 08:27

@IsabelHerna I’m with Guy’s Hospital in London, but I am looking at moving to CRGH as they have a shorter waiting time

IsabelHerna · 01/09/2021 01:14

@Bellwells Thank you for replying! Currently, I'm based in Spain, and I am thinking of starting here or somewhere else in Europe. I think it wouldn't be moraly right for me to come back to England just for the IVF. I will go private, possibly here in Spain or in Cyprus. How about you? What clinic have you been referred to?

Bellwells · 26/08/2021 14:06

@IsabelHerna hi I’m not sure if the OP will reply as I tried reaching out early July, if it is any help I received my call to book letter last Monday (6 weeks after referral), and my first PGD appointment is the end of September.
What clinic have you been referred to?

IsabelHerna · 26/08/2021 13:48

Hi there OP, do you have any updates? How is it going?

Bellwells · 10/07/2021 22:40

@BackAtIt have you had any progress yet (have you received a letter/call) or are you still playing the waiting game? My referral went through on Monday but mine is for IVF-PGD.

Original poster
BackAtIt · 04/06/2021 21:30

Cheers for all your answers, if giving me a ball park waiting time. I would like to think I’ll get pregnant before referral but the way things are going it doesn’t seem like it! Good luck to you all x

OP posts:
Elouera · 04/06/2021 21:02

Meant to say, that I ended up having the actual IVF in the week we went into the 1st lockdown in Mar last year! Then had another round in Dec.

IF there is going to be months of waiting, many NHS fertility clinics will also see private patients. Even if just for basic tests, it might speed things up and tend to be cheaper than stand-alone private clinics.

Elouera · 04/06/2021 20:59

Have you had any testing done other than say a day 21 blood test? Semen, hycosy/hsg, AMH, STI screens for you both etc? I was referred in mid 2019 and from memory had my appointment at Guys, London about 3-4mths later. I'd already had the above tests privately abroad though, so once referred, they didn't need anything further. I'm unsure how much longer they would have taken on the NHS?

Check the requirements for IVF in your area. Some have strict guidance on BMI, smoking, age etc. My area allowed 3 rounds if under 40, and only 1 if over. A friend lives nearby in a different borough, which provide NO IVF at all for any age!

If you are older, and nearing not being eligible, GP's are 'supposed' to ask for an urgent referral without delays.

If you are near the upper BMI limit, I suggest losing weight now, prior to the appointment too. Best of luck and happy to answer any questions x

Foreverbaffled · 04/06/2021 20:59

3 months in Norfolk (for close friend, not me!)

dogmam · 04/06/2021 20:57

@backatit hi, my first appointment at the fertility clinic was January after going to the GP in October time and I'm starting treatment this month, so it's went really quickly for me. I'm in the North East x

Ughmaybenot · 04/06/2021 20:51

I was referred at the start of September and my first telephone appointment was scheduled for the middle of March... I got a BFP the day before my appointment. Funny old world!
We’re in Devon.

Original poster
BackAtIt · 04/06/2021 20:46

Thanks, that’s useful information! Hopefully mine will be 5 months too

OP posts:
choccrumpet · 04/06/2021 20:32

Hi I got referred for fertility investigations in January and had my first phone appointment in May. I'm in Berkshire and I know it's different in each area. Don't know about IVF though