Please or to access all these features

Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

NHS - can I elect to freeze all?

39 replies

Youngatheart00 · 15/10/2019 18:33

I’m undergoing my first cycle (NHS funded).

Can I request that the embryos are frozen rather than proceeding straight to a fresh transfer?

OP posts:
RhubarbFizz · 15/10/2019 22:36

Tricky. If you continue and it sadly fails you may still have frozen embryos to use.

Much depends for me on age and reason for IVF. It took us many years to have a child, and I am glad Now looking back that we started fertility treatments at 35.

AnotherEmma · 15/10/2019 22:36

Sorry if that came across as harsh.
The fact is that it's actually not a catch 22.
If you end up pregnant with a better job you are better off on BOTH counts.
I'm sure £20k will pale in comparison (especially in light of your salary) if you end up with both the things you want.
Sorry to say this but if the IVF doesn't work out all this angst will have been for nothing.
I wish you the best of luck with the potential new job and with your IVF, whether you choose just one or both.

AnotherEmma · 15/10/2019 22:39

(Also, you are in a privileged financial position compared to the vast majority of people, but you clearly won't acknowledge that so I'm not going to bother arguing!)

Rotollali · 15/10/2019 22:50

My advice to anyone with wanted pregnancy is just go for it, it’ll be workable. Not easy but if it works you may be amazed how priorities change. I had a good career and as I finished my last maternity leave I was offered 80k plus childcare and I found myself turning it down and muddling through staying at home. If you knew me believe me you would be shocked.

itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted · 16/10/2019 09:22

NHS will make you pay for all transfers and associated costs if you elect to have a freeze all - its only free transfers if done for medical need eg OHSS

Cost of transfers can be around £1500 a time so you'd need to factor that in

NHS isn't there to provide a chance at a baby when you feel like it

Lauren83 · 16/10/2019 10:14

That's not always the case I know of many people who have had elective freeze all cycles under the NHS, people have NHS cycles and pay for PGS privately as an example

Lauren83 · 16/10/2019 10:20

Each NHS funded cycle will usually consist of a fresh transfer plus 1/2/3 or unlimited transfer of frozen embryos, your CCG will then be invoiced for your treatment by either the NHS clinic (or the private provider contracted to provide NHS treatment in your area) you cannot be forced to have a fresh transfer, you will usually only pay for FERs following a live birth, if you want clarification where you stand give your CCG a call, you may even find out by accessing the assisted conception criteria online

KatnissMellark · 16/10/2019 17:31

Each NHS funded cycle will usually consist of a fresh transfer plus 1/2/3 or unlimited transfer of frozen embryos this isn't always true though, each CCG sets its own funding rules. In mine they funded two fresh rounds, and one FET from each fresh round if that makes sense.

OP, you need to find out your CCGs funding policy as this will inform your decision.

Additionally you need to consider how you'll feel if you defer for your career and things take far longer than expected. We started IVF when I was 28, no female factors whatsoever. Straightforward icsi should have resolved our problems easily. However I reacted badly to IVF, had many complications and it took four rounds to get my son. We've since done a further four trying for a sibling. Time is of the essence with IVF, if you're unlucky enough to end up with a journey like ours. Luckily, because we started young we still have time to continue to pursue the family we want.

On the other hand you may get lucky and it works first time...but there is no way to tell.

I understand the dilemma, I really do. I am the main earner and I love my job. I was in a fab job that paid well and had great maternity benefits but was made redundant the day after I found out our fourth IVF worked-not related at all, but proof that you can think you're in the best position and things can still go south!

The point I'm making, is work out what's most important and prioritize that. If you want a family, don't delay, especially as you know you need IVF.

Lauren83 · 16/10/2019 19:03

Yes that's what I stated some fund 1 FER per fresh cycle like you stated yours does

itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted · 16/10/2019 19:25

My CCG wouldn't fund an elective frozen transfer

Lauren83 · 16/10/2019 19:58

That's a shame they wouldn't, I know it's not common practice for it to be done as a planned elective freeze all from the start but once a cycle has started if the plan for a fresh transfer is abandoned in favour of a FER for whatever reason my experience with the CCGs I have dealt with is that they are happy to, to be honest the CCGs just pay the invoice sent by the clinic and don't tend to get into the ins and outs of how the cycle went, the freeze all's I can think of that weren't planned from the start have been for eg- emotional reasons, relationship problems, partner getting assaulted, partner having to travel away, court case being extended and of course medical reasons such as OHSS, hydrosalpinges developing during stims, migraines, bleeding and so on, like PP said only your CCG can really confirm so maybe give them a call. Hope you manage to get things sorted and good luck!

Youngatheart00 · 17/10/2019 08:05

Thanks all for the thoughtful advice. I’m 95% sure we will press ahead and (fingers crossed) press on to a fresh transfer. It’s more important to me than anything. No job scenario would be a disaster.

OP posts:
EL8888 · 18/10/2019 21:27

I’m in a vaguely similar situation and it’s tricky. I would love a crystal ball right now! I think l may have to stick where l am for the foreseeable. Vibes for the IVF.

peachesforfree · 19/10/2019 09:27

Would you not still get statutory maternity pay at the new job? Depends how much the pay rise is but you may find it works out not that different as you’ll get 90% pay on the higher salary for that first 6 weeks? I was in a similar dilemma but stayed put where I am and fought for the pay rise I knew I could get by moving. It’s a pain though and I sympathise - we started TTC a year ago and just got bfp after 2nd transfer, so it’s added another year on to the “staying put for mat pay” on top of the year prior getting married. Now just another 9 months to go (best case, if this pregnancy works out)! Personally I would advise you to take the new job if you really want it. It’s very hard to predict how these things are going to pan out and if you’re the main breadwinner it’s important to take a step up whenever you can. Pregnancy also a protected characteristic in employment law so you have more rights. You could take the fairly radical step of discussing it with the new employer and see what they say? They can’t retract the job offer based on the information and you might find them refreshingly forward thinking! Good luck x

New posts on this thread. Refresh page