Private IVF - how to get started

[fannyanna]

Hello

How do I get started with private fertility treatment. I've had tests on the NHS and have been diagnosed with infertility but I'm not eligible for NHS IVF so would need to go private.

Do I still need to be referred by my GP or can I simply contact a fertility clinic and go from there? How do I even find one?

Any pointers in the right direction would be great.

Thanks

FA

Where are you based?
What diagnosis did you get from the doctors?

You can self refer by either attending an open day/evening or phoning them and booking an initial consultation with them

The HFEA - the governing body for fertility stuff - publishes information on clinics on its website but it isn't particularly helpful

Some clinics are better at treating certain problems and some clinics won't take on patients with certain issues

The fertility Friend's website is good, and there are a lot of informed posters on here also

Grrr I lost my post.

Based in Berkshire.

Diagnosed with PCOS and no sign of ovulation.

Thinking about having a consultation. I have a weight issue that needs to be addressed but am also wondering if BMI rules are less strict with private as opposed to NHS.

Think an initial consultation will be quite helpful to understand what the journey would be through private and things like eligibility and costs.

You can just refer yourself to most clinics. If you can, after you've done a bit of research, it's probably worth going to a few clinics for a consultation to get an idea of what they're like and a feel for the clinic to see which suits you best.

It's a good idea to give them a copy of the results of your investigations before your appointment. I think bmi criteria are less strict if you're going privately.

Would you fit your treatment cycle around work, and therefore need a local clinic, or could you consider clinics in London?

To give you an idea of how much time you need to spend in the clinic, typically, you need to go to the clinic on day 3 of your cycle for a scan, and then go in every other day up to say 14, when they retrieve the eggs and then go back in 3 or 5 days later for them to put the embryo back.
It does vary between clinics and some will want you in every day.

Maybe look at the open evenings for clinics so you can ask them about your BMI without paying for a full consultation (they are about £200 for an hour with a consultant or you get a free 20-30 mins with them at an open evening)

You might not need to jump straight to ivf. You could be prescribed a course of clomid to see if it can help you ovulate.

BMI criteria is less strict when you are paying for private treatment. I had successful private ivf with a bmi of 34 (nhs wanted it to be under 30).