Private healthcare for fertility treatment. All a bit confusing?

[Selina1113]

Hi. So me and my husband have been TTC on and off since our son was born 4 years ago, but seriously for about 2 years. We've never been to our GP, as we feel nothing would be done, we already have one child, we doubt the NHS will help? I don't know. We're both healthy, non-smokers and non-drinkers, and don't believe we have any major fertility problems as we have a child - I'm not ignorant, I know this isn't always the case and fertility problems can occur even if you've had a child. But we've been considering private healthcare. This is where it gets even more confusing, I don't know the first thing about private healthcare, how does it work?! What is going down the fertility road in private healthcare like? I'd rather not have ivf/iui if I can help it, it would have to be a last resort, as it seems extremely emotionally draining. But maybe some fertility drugs? That worries me too in case I release like 5 eggs and they all end up fertilised ha! In fact, isn't multiple births more common with fertility treatment? Much more common? Do I have to pay extra for rounds of ivf or fertility drugs?

I'm basically asking for some private healthcare, or even NHS fertility treatment stories from beginning to end. I feel this is a good website to get these experiences or any knowledge you may hold. I'd love to know as much as I can before I decide to enter this journey!

How silly of you not to have gone to your gp.
Talk about jumping to conclusions.
Do you really think the only thing for infertility is ivf?
And have you heard of many sets of 5 babies being born?
I don't know maybe you are young with lots of time to spend doing nothing but think of silly eventualities.

Wow that was rude. I'm 27 with a full time job and a 4 year old, I certainly do not spend my time doing nothing, how dare you assume that. I already stated I don't have a clue about anything like this. Maybe I came across wrongly, it is 2:47am and I've just finished a 10 hour shift. I haven't gone to my gp as I feel they're useless. They do nothing for me ever, except shove me out the door with a prescription. And it was meant to be jokey when I said about 5 babies, maybe you need to spend your time more wisely instead of putting others down. I have no idea about infertility, I wouldn't be trying to get advise off of people who have gone through the this if I knew, so kindly go away if you have nothing to add that benefit.

You expect people to share their own stories of infertility,
And yet you haven't even for an initial consultation with a GP?
There are people on here who are desperate, who would do anything for a baby, who are heart broken over their infertility.
But you want their stories, their advice, when you haven't even done the very first, most simplest of things.
No, I'm not being rude, I'm speaking plainly, as i would to my daughter, or a friend.

Nope I don't think gp will help either as you had another child
If you go privately it can all work out pretty fast assuming you know where to go to .. Why don't you visit hfea to get some ideas of clinics and results
At the minimum they ll run some blood tests to check your hormones level and a sperm analysis for OH
You don't have to go down the invasive procedures road they might give you some meds that will stimulate your ovaries , which will then be monitored for multiples

There is a great website that gives lots of info on clinic - www.fertilityfriends.co.uk

Good luck

Thank you, 'AnotherTimeMaybe'. I'm glad someone can see the point I make when I say the GPs won't help, as we already have a child, GPs/NHS barely help woman who have no children, I wouldn't even insult those woman by even trying with my doctors, which is why I asked about private where I can get the tests done with them, where I do have more control instead of it being in the NHSs hands, it is an emotional journey, and this is why I don't want to deal with it, with my GP, where they aren't actually bothered. This was my reasoning, I'm sorry to anyone who reads this and thinks I was being rude, I honestly didn't mean it in a rude way. I wanted to hear people experiences because it terrifies me too that I could be having bigger issues than I realise when it comes to getting pregnant again, another reason I've put the GP off too maybe. I again apologise if anyone was offended..

Don't apologise and don't justify your actions
My GP experience was awful for DS1 went private and had success
Didn't even bother second time around with GP but thankfully I got a natural bfp

Good luck!!

Hi Selina

It's maybe worth posting these sorts of questions on the 'Infertility' board as it seems like quite a few people there have done things privately.

I can understand why you're nervous, but I'd recommend going to your NHS GP as you don't really have anything to lose! They should at least give you some basic blood tests, which may tell you a lot. Similarly if you have any other symptoms (eg heavy periods, extremely painful periods, pain having sex, depression etc) they may have a gut instinct for what could be up and may suggest some tests (without having the huge price tag!). In any event I think you need a GP referral in order to get to a private fertility clinic (but I might be wrong about that).

Good luck!

We are tt2 (and on a very supportive thread ttc no2 on here) just been to GP as its been 16 months and I'm 37. They agreed to do day 21 and day 2 blood tests after that it's private. But I figured that it's a start and helps me to know what I'm dealing with.

I got prof Winstons fertility book, it tells you everything you could ever know about assisted fertity, well worth the £6 for the kindle version.

Good luck

• oops fertility!

Hi there, you don't need a GP referral for private care as not likely to be covered by insurance. GP might be able to check blood/hormones and check ovulating but if your cycle hasn't changed can't do much. Worth speaking to your local private hospital, I know in Dorset the clinic does an initial consult or £180 with no obligation to do anything more, can talk you through the options.