SMBC Funding IVF

[lilianab236]

Hi All,

I know money is a sensitive topic for some but I really need some advice. I’d like to proceed with a round of IVF using a donor. I’ve been quoted £7,500 per round.

im not willing to donate eggs to pay for the IVF so how do other SMBC afford the fee ? I’m not eligible on the NHS as I have no known fertility issues and do have some savings but would like to keep these for when little one is born.

did people take out loans or is there another option I’m missing ?

im 34, well paid job and comfortable life with a good support network.

Hi, another SMBC here.

Have you looked at Access Fertility? I had a multi cycle deal with them - it was 2 fresh cycles and as many transfers as necessary to get to the point of birth - although IIRC you had to use all the embryos from the first fresh cycle before embarking on another. It worked out a lot cheaper than 2 fresh cycles would’ve been, although they ended up making money from me as my first transfer was successful. Took the uncertainty out of it though. They work with a lot of clinics and also do a refund programme, but I was too old for that (37 when I started).

And even more important than Access Fertility was my mum! I probably would’ve had to put myself in debt if she hadn’t been able to help me out.

Having said all that I think you’re at the high end of costs for a cycle, unless that includes medication and donor sperm…

Would also second Access fertility, and I believe they now offer 12 month loans as well. Some other clinics offer their own packages too. At your age, you may also qualify for a refund package, dependent on your medical results. Another option is to look for one of the cheaper clinics like ABC if there's one near you.

Sadly, it is all very expensive and the cost can be prohibitive. I am a worrier and hate any debt so I avoids credit cards etc. My husband and I have average salaries. However, we decided that if we were spending thousands on fertility , we might as well spend a few more thousand and go to the clinic we really wanted. We used any savings and then saved hard between transfers. We even left nearly a year between 2 cycles to save. (I miscarried after the first.)We also sold stuff. It cost a huge amount but was worth it. Once I was pregnant, I saved hard for 8 months ( and have sold some more stuff!) Our baby is 4 months old and I honestly don’t think about the money. Some people have nice houses/cars/holidays; we bought donor eggs.

If there are no known fertility issues do you have to jump straight to IVF? Is IUI an option ? Even with fertility problems we have to complete 6 rounds of IUI before being eligible for IVF. Is this a possibility with donor conception?

I saved like mad and made very conservative financial decisions in other areas of my life (eg I live in a much cheaper home than technically I could have had a mortgage for; I don't have a car; ) to free up money for treatment. Also, sadly, some family members died and left me some money which also helped. (I also did a master's over the - looooong - period of time I was having treatment and was able to squeeze an IVF cycle out of what was left of the loan after the fees were paid, but that was quite a few years ago now and those numbers certainly wouldn't add up now even if you did fancy a spot of postgraduate study!)

So basically, no, you're not missing anything. It's just massively, horrifyingly expensive. As you're in a decent job, though, you should hopefully be in a position to make things work if you rejig your finances. Good luck!

Hi, @soscarlet i did look at them when I went for fertility testing initially. I was nervous about the options as like you said you waste money if its successful first go. It’s a difficult decision as I wouldn’t want me and little one to be in debt when they arrive.

however looking at the other comments in here too I think I need to re look at them as an option.

thank you for your info x

Hi @Girlontherailreplacementbusservice I’d prefer to go straight to IVF for the hugest chance of it working. I will confirm with the clinic though just incase they require this.

thanks

I'm sure with private treatment it won't be a requirement but having been there and got the t-shirt I would be reluctant to jump straight to IVF when there are other options available. You will pinning all your hopes on one, expensive, invasive treatment for a huge cost and enormous emotional cost when you could try something far cheaper, less stressful and without the potential physical harm first for a few months.

@Girlontherailreplacementbusservice its definitely something I need to look at and maybe talk to the clinic about my fertility results and the option of them both. I know it’s a lot cheaper. Thank you for your help I’ll contact them tommorow. X

I was a solo female, self funded. Did 3 IUIs that all failed at a cost of approx £9k, did mild IVF with ABC, one fresh round failed and and first frozen worked and currently 7 weeks and 4 days. Spent approx £9k of which £1k is freezer costs. If I could go back and do it again I wouldn't do IVF.

Saved by buying a cheaper house further away from a main city and making alot of sacrifices such as no hols abroad, no car upgrade and living minimally

Hi @ttcsolomumtobe congratulations on being pregnant. I’m curious as to why you wouldn’t do IVF again ?

I’ve called my clinic about a round of IUI. As I have no fertility issues from what they can see I thought this might be a good option. I went onto ABC website after someone on here recommended it. Why are they cheaper than everyone else ?

the clinic I use is literally less than 10 mins drive away.

Sorry total typo!!!!!! wouldn't do the IUI again that should have been.

I wouldn't do IUI again as each treatment requires 1 vial of sperm (1 vial of sperm fertilised 7 eggs in my IVF), I felt there was still alot on me to do such as checking LH, I have a super quick peak and it could be missed if testing less than 8 hours apart so I have having to wake in the middle of the night for a pee sample , even the pee sample being a bit more diluted could throw the outcome off and just so little to show or reassurance with it. Maybe opting for medicated so you knew exactly when ovulation happened would be better but as I didn't have any known problems they said unmedicated would be best to try first.

IVF meds weren't as taxing as I thought once used to doing them and I knew what was happening with the eggs each step of the way. IVF doesn't always work but defo felt more hopefully knowing an embryo was being put back in rather than just sperm ha

ABC are cheaper as they are nurse lead, so they take the more simply cases, also as it's mild they will only give certain meds that are needed for the cycle, they don't do any add ones like embryo glue, for anything more you would go to the sister company create. The egg collection and transfers are done via consultants.

What I will say is my scans were all discussed with consultants and they do a meeting each day and on a couple of occasions when things were not going as planned (because of my body not ABC) the consultant's have contacted me to reassure/discussed options. I have had such great emotional support from the nurses and you can tell they work as a team to get the best outcome for you. I found them very clear from the start on the process and setting expectations re egg collection etc.

I was with Care Fertility for my IUIs and found them appaulling in so many ways.

Depending where you are some nhs clinics also treat private patients which can help to make it cheaper. I got dIUI for under £2k

Another vote for ABC. I was lucky enough to fall pregnant from my first fresh transfer and have two embryos in the freezer. I did however get OHSS despite the milder drugs! If you have no known fertility issues, it's definitely worth a try with ABC.