NHS refused self funded IVF

[HKHK349]

Hi all, my husband and i are desperately trying for another child I had an appointment last week at the NHS for IVF (Self funded) however they refused to proceed with the treatment because my AMH was low i was extremely gutted, I'm currently 40 😔. Is there anyone who has had a similar experience?. Dr made it out as if i had no other hope other than egg donor or adoption. Would really appreciate if anyone can share there experience and give some hope ❤️.

If you're self funding couldn't you try at a private clinic?

I’m Afraid it sounds like they don’t take your money if IVF with your own eggs ain’t going to work. You can probably find a clinic that would waste your money but you’d be much better noting the advice given and thinking of those procedures surely .
hugs.

There's a board on here called 'infertility' where there are lots of IVF women. Plenty of clinics will accept you (assuming your AMH isn't practically zero). It's worth asking on there for specific clinic advice.

You'll have to go private then.

Bourn Hall etc

You can go private but give it some careful thought. IVF success rates are low for women over 40. Have you considered the options that the consultant suggested?

Go for an appoint at Argc in London - whilst not without their controversy they are the go to for low probability Ivf

Having a low AMH is not necessarily a guarantee you can’t get pregnant with IVF. Egg quality is much more important. However, it could take quite a few tries, which is £££.

You could try speaking to a consultant at a private clinic to see what your options are. The NHS clinics are usually not as cutting edge as some of the private ones and it may be you have more options than the NHS clinic can offer. Are you near London?

You could try a private clinic but really if your AMH is too low the odds of getting good enough eggs are low.
Clinics don't want to take on people with little chance of success because it affects their success rates.
And it's irresponsible to give you false hope and take money when they know the odds are low.

What is your AMH? The NHS initially said mine was too low for funding. When I did IVF I only got 5 eggs but all fertilised, I’m pregnant with one and have 3 frozen. Quality is more important than quantity. You may like to consider things like mini or natural IVF.

I think some posters are right in that if it affects statistics, some clinics aren't interested. I had this problem with my first clinic.
I also had very low AMH (0.7), only discovered when my first cycle didn't work. I was 39.
After some research, we then went straight to the Lister in Chelsea and they agreed to see what could be done.
After a lot of tears and trauma, I became pregnant on the 4th (& would have been our last) go and my DD turns 11 next month.
There is hope and it does happen for some. I know how extremely lucky we were.
The kindness and sensitivity we were treated with by the clinic is still very much remembered.
Fingers crossed for you.

You can do things to improve your AMH, OP. It's also not a true reflection of fertility.

Go to another private clinic. Though at 40 your chances of any success may not be worth the heartache :( you're talking low single figure success rates and that's with a decent amh.

Sorry I forgot to mention my AMH is 1.

My AMH is 1, NHS will only consider someone who was 4 or 5 even though it is self funded

@TotalRhubarb I live in Birmingham.
@Takingthepmaybe I have read about ARG they are expensive but they stats appear to be good for women of my age.

Argc is expensive because they throw the kitchen sink at it. And then if that doesn’t work the washing machine. Lots of blood tests sometimes twice daily- it’s a commitment. But I think they don’t turn people away basically.

if it was me - I would have a first appointment and assessment there and see what they say.

@HKHK349 that is very low. Its not even close to borderline.
I'd speak with a private clinic, but ask lots of questions on what the odds of success are for women with an Amh of 1 before you throw money away. And put yourself through the stress of IVF.

If you do decide to try it set yourself clear in your head before you do. One or two rounds. Don't let your heart rule your head by keeping trying.

@GodspeedJune If you don't mind me asking what was you AMH?

I think you're setting yourself up for a lot of heartache and expense.

You're 'old' and your hormone levels are low but normal for your age.

You'd be beating the odds if you have a live birth after all of the IVF.

AMH of 1 is low, but women of your age and older with AMH lower than that do conceive, with IVF or naturally. It can take quite a lot to get there though.

AMH can fluctuate and is only one indicator (though an important one). Have you had your antral follicle count checked?

I was also turned down by the NHS for self-funded IVF for low AMH. I decided to go private and had four attempts, all unsuccessful. I used up all of my savings with no positive outcome.
As you say "another" child, my advice would be to think carefully about what it will cost for private treatment, and about what that money could be used for with your existing child.

Forgot to add - of my four attempts two were my own egg then I tried two rounds with donor eggs, which is hugely expensive.

Op I was 40 but unusually high Amh But PCOS.
I ended up with two transfered at day 3 that failed, 5 were good enough to freeze.
I did a FET with 2 and one succeeded.

I've had 4 rounds of IVF. I can't remember what my AMH was but the number of eggs collected when I was 33 was vastly more then when I was 37 (final round) so something to think about.

I knew of women who continued with AMH levels of 0.3 and 0.6 when I was very blessed with one of 45 at late 30s.
The one with 0.6 managed to get repeatedly pregnant with her own eggs but miscarried each time. Eventually moving to donor eggs after spending considerable money. The one with 0 3 went straight to donor eggs. Both women, like me, have healthy children now.
There are reasons for cut offs and quite simply that's due to the statistical of a live birth that is a healthy baby is incredibly unlikely.
@HKHK349 you have some decisions to make if you want to have treatment. You'll no doubt find a clinic that will take your money for an oe cycle. Your chances of a live birth are negligible though. So really looking at de is best way of having a good chance of a live birth.

@HKHK349
If you're looking at de, then definitely look at clinics abroad as they often have better success rates and are cheaper.