Private Egg freezing whilst TTC - any experiences?

[PoppyPeaches]

Hi ladies
This cycle marks 12 with no success, and I turn 36 in April. My partner is 42 and is booked in for testing in Jan. I’ve had basic bloods at GP and all fine, but we can’t be referred to the fertility clinic until my partner has been tested.

has anyone considered/been through egg freezing with a view to using these eggs if IVF was needed at a later date, therefore using younger eggs than what I would be at the later time? Neither of us are emotionally/physically/financially ready to pursue IVF at the moment, (for various reasons), but I was thinking this may improve chances later on, especially as my mum is desperate to pay for it. We would of course keep trying in the meantime, but I feel this may help me stay a little saner in the meantime.

has anyone considered/done this and have any experiences to report?

can you have NHS IVF using your privately frozen eggs?

Many thanks xx

@PoppyPeaches hi, I froze my eggs a couple of years before I met my partner as I was convinced I was destined for life alone! I wasn’t TTC at the time so in a slightly different situation to you but the process was pretty straight forward - I did 3 cycles, each takes approx 2 weeks. The egg collection is slightly painful but manageable and I was back to normal activities the next day (or the same day on one occasion as had so much work to do!) The numbers of eggs collected varied from cycle to cycle and if I could go back I’d try and optimise my chances by taking COQ10 and reducing caffeine in the 3 months pre conception. We haven’t used the eggs yet but it’s reassuring for me to know they’re there.

At your age no I wouldn't bother - eggs are best frozen at a younger age and it's best to freeze embryos not eggs as the attrition rate is really high with eggs.

I'd look at low cost IVF options like ABC clinic or natural modified - they do have an age cut off though

IVF really is best done as young as possible and so I wouldn't put it off

Lots of clinics offer payment options and some offer a refund guarantee if it doesn't work

You need your partner tested asap.
If you have been trying for over 2 years with no luck then you will get referred for IVF. The waiting list is around 9 months so you need to really get bloods done.
Also, female BMI must be below 30 or the NHS won't treat.
Also they won't go via route of IVF if you have not had smear test so get that done asap.
From first IVF appointment to egg transfer etc is about 3 months.
And it's funded on NHS for first two cycles or maybe just the first cycle.

@Running4pizza thankyou so much for your reply - that all sounds reassuringly manageable! I’m going to book a consultation when I’m back and have a chat through everything and then make a decision! Thanks so much 🥰

@somuchtodonextyear thankyou for your reply! I’m going to book a consultation after Xmas and talk through all of the options with the clinic, eggs, embryos etc but that info is really helpful, thankyou!

@Harshtruth1111 thanks for all that info, I’m going to look into getting a private consultation in the new year to chat through my options ! Many thanks xx

Even a private consultation is a few weeks before being seen as the same clinic tends to treat NHS patients so always full.
So try booking sooner rather than later.
First consult is bloods for both and a sperm sample for partner. Also measure of your BMI. Max BMI privately is 35. And internal scan for yourself.