NHS IVF - Any experience/advice would be great!

[Elaydee]

Hello! I'm new here! Not new to TTC issues though.

I'm lucky (or unlucky I guess) to have been referred to IVF via the NHS last week on my first FS appointment and I was wondering people's experiences, wait times and success rates? I looked into going private because I liked the 'mild' IVF idea but got scared as the guy was so eager to take my money and start me within the week.

My TTC history:
TTC first month: BFP June 17 = Early MC
BFP Aug 17 = Ectopic and left tube removed
BFP Oct = Early MC
BFP Nov = Ruptured ectopic, 3 ltr blood loss, cauterized left side
No pregnancies since so have been diagnosed with my remaining tube blocked... oh and PCOS... oh an anemia from my blood loss. Fun.

Anyone else out there having IVF after loss? I have the whole 18 week wait now to start with the NHS but can't help feeling helpless not being able to even try in the meantime. Have people had NHS and private and noticed a difference? Had a different outcome? Thanks x

Mild IVF for anything other than low ovarian reserve is a con. PCOS means you probably won’t have low reserve - for us it’s the opposite. The only thing I say is that you may notice a difference in service - NHS cycles tend to be less flexible in terms of appointment / scan times and types of medications offered. Still a top notch service.
In the 18 weeks try to improve egg quality as that can be a problem with pcos - so eat lots of protein / drink loads of water / give up coffee and take supplements.

Thank you, that is great advice. I know nothing about PCOS since I only just found out! Looks like I have more research to do...

I found my nhs cycle one size fits all/none. Private clinics give you a lot more control over timing/preferences.

I had IVF at Hammersmith in 2014 and they were really good - we were NHS but they also do private. There was no waiting list at the time, once we'd finally jumped through all the hoops needed to get there!

Maybe investigate the clinics close to home and compare success rates? We did go to one private clinic but frankly they were terrible just at the investigation stage so I'm glad we didn't give them any more money.

Hope all goes well for you OP, I know it can be very tough at times. I now have twin boys who wouldn't be here without IVF so please don't give up hope!

Hi OP. Sorry to hear all you've been through. I'm embarking on my first round of IVF meds this week (eek!) following an ectopic pregnancy nearly 2.5 years ago, and without natural pregnancy since. I lost one tube, and have now also been diagnosed with low AMH/poor ovarian reserve (about 7 follicles across both ovaries and I'm only 29).

So far our NHS clinic have been extremely thorough, the doses of meds are tailored to my lack of follicles/expected poor response. I have also had a dummy embryo transfer so that they could check the shape/size of my cervix, to make sure they don't encounter anything unexpected on transfer day. They rushed through our blood tests for HIV etc as well as a second SA for DH, as our results were due to expire just before my cycle starts (so a con in the waiting times column, but positive in that once you are in the system things move fast). They also managed to get me an urgent cervical biopsy for unexplained bleeding (I was there for one appointment, nurse rushed out of the room, came back and told me to come in 2 days later for the biopsy).

Our clinic also offers self-funded IVF so you get the same service as NHS patients, but you pay cost price (so less than private) and they put the money back into the clinic.

We get one fresh and one frozen transfer on the NHS. We're unlikely to get the frozen transfer as I probably won't produce enough eggs to have embryos to freeze. So I've got everything crossed for a first cycle miracle, but mentally we're trying to prepare ourselves for 3 cycles to give it the best shot and then see where we're at.

I don't have personal experience of private IVF but have a close group of friends going through fertility treatment for various reasons in various circumstances and for all the positives, the big negative is that private clinics will try to sell you procedures that are not evidence-based, to try and make you think you're doing everything you can for a baby. If the NHS don't offer it, try to find out why before you buy. It might be because it's great but too expensive, it might be because noone knows if it even works!

Hello, I am also waiting for the approval for mine and I hope I can start after summer.i am in Sussex and I have been trying for 20 months without success.i have endo and low ovarian reserve.i don't think they recommend any supplements but I heard of ubiquinol to improve egg quality.Does someone know which is the recommended daily amount?

It's typically 600 mg of CoQ10 (ubiquinone form) or 300 mg of ubiquinol per day. Choosing a water and fat-soluble form will provide superior absorption.

I had 1 private cycle & 1 NHS cycle by the same consultant, the egg collection and transfer was done at same private hospital but the lead up/scans was done at the private & NHS hospital. The private 1st go failed, when my name came up on the NHS list for the 2nd go, my consultant knew I didn’t respond to very well to the drugs, when on my NHS go I only had 3 follicles, he still went with egg collection and transfer as he knew we could get fertilisation from my 1st private go, result was DS, would you be able to find a consultant that works both NHS and Private sector?