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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.

Private fertility testing

9 replies

attemptingto1 · 05/02/2019 13:54

Hi all,
I’m 37 and finally (belatedly) decided that I would like a family.
I would like to have fertility testing privately to check my internals and bloods, to see if I am still fertile and how healthy my reproductive organs may be.
What I don’t particularly want to do is wait 6 months to get a GP appointment and then wait for NHS testing - just after an initial you could possibly get pregnant or a no you are infertile before going through the next 6 months of disappointment.
I’ve contaxted one centre who offer fertility scans and blood tests but they have said that I need to speak to my fertility clinic or GP - thought the point of paying was to have these tests without having to wait but could be wrong.
Does anyone know of any clinics in the Berkshire/Surrey and surrounding areas that offer these initial fertility scans without a GP referral?
I’m not trying to bypass the NHS, it’s just that I’ve already potentially left starting a family too late and want to find out if having my own family naturally is a possibility sooner rather than later.
Any help or advice appreciated.

OP posts:
Skimmedmilk1 · 05/02/2019 13:58

You can't just request tests and scans because you don't have the knowledge to interpret them. No private hospital will let you request any test on its own and pay for it yourself. It would be irresponsible and dangerous.

You can have a consultation with a fertility doctor who will arrange the test and then go through the results with you. If you're self-paying then you won't need a GP letter. Initial consultation likely to be £200-300, followup consultation £100-200, bloods/scans may well be £500-100 depending on which you have done.

owl2015 · 05/02/2019 14:28

This is perfectly possible OP. I'm in the exact same position. I'm in London and visited a private fertility clinic on Great Portland Street (you can google it) where they did all the tests. It was all very comprehensive and helpful and they sit you down to explain all the results. From memory I think it cost around £250.

attemptingto1 · 05/02/2019 14:42

Thank you for your replies.
owl2015, can you give the name of the clinic you visited or is that not allowed? There are so many online, it’s hard to know what to look for (and what to avoid).
I have a found a centre near Reading who provide ultrasound scans to look at the size shape and condition of the Uterus, Endometrium, Ovaries – with ovulation time estimated & Pelvic area to evaluate the wellbeing of the uterus and ovaries before conception, Estimate the time of ovulation and measuring the endometrial thickness for assisted conception and measure follicles and endometrial thickness prior to private IVF treatment in the UK or abroad.
I haven’t spoken with them yet but can’t see how they would perform the test and not interpret at least some of their findings.
As I say, I’m not looking to bypass the NHS am just impatient and want to find out whether it will be possible for me to conceive after leaving it for such a long time.

OP posts:
Skimmedmilk1 · 05/02/2019 14:42

@owl2015 it sounds as if the OP wants just the tests without going to a fertility expert - that is what isn't possible

Skimmedmilk1 · 05/02/2019 14:43

OP - you'll need minimum an AMH test, which is around £100, plus day 21 progesterone, FSH/LH which would easily be the same again. The scan won't tell you whether you are likely to conceive.

physicskate · 05/02/2019 14:43

You are unlikely to get the answer you want unless you are currently menopausal.

An article that might explain better than I can:
www.nhs.uk/news/pregnancy-and-child/hormonal-fertility-tests-waste-time-and-money/

owl2015 · 05/02/2019 14:50

Yes OP. It's crgh.co.uk
I had the female fertility assessment, and it was in fact £350. For that you get a general health check, AMH test, folical ultrasound scan, endometriocal assessment, and a follow up consultation with a doctor.

I think all these other things you've mentioned are slightly confusing the issue and shouldn't be necessary assuming you are in good health and have no reason to suspect anything is wrong. The fertility assessment covers the general fertility levels, and then obviously if any problems became evident in the results you would be advised on the next steps.

I was in exactly your shoes, and this is absolutely a sensible step to alleviate any major issues you may be unaware of when time is of the essence. I didn't want to waste time trying to conceive if there was a problem that could have been identified. It is well worth the investment imo.

owl2015 · 05/02/2019 14:53

Also, I forgot to add if you haven't already then do the Fertility Awareness training offered by the NHS for free. It educates you in how to pinpoint your ovulation day and you can use this method when trying for a baby or indeed as natural contraception. Look it up online- they offer evening classes.

attemptingto1 · 05/02/2019 16:43

Thanks for your comments - I am happy to go to a GP or fertility clinic however, a GP will not refer me for testing yet so I am just looking to have these tests arranged privately.

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