Should we start IVF now?

[cariaaad]

First time post, just wanting to get some opinions.

Had a planning appointment for 3rd round of IVF today. 1st try BFN, got pregnant 2nd try, saw heart beat at at 6 week scan but then miscarried at 8 weeks. Obviously devastated and took a lot of thinking about to even contemplated 3rd try, physically, emotionally and financial. First try was NHS funded but self funded from them on.

We were planning on going ahead but now seriously worried about Corona and how that will affect the process, if myself or partner got sick or if there weren't enough staff in the clinic to go ahead. Also the effects on any potential baby remain unknown as still early days in the development of the disease and not enough evidence as yet to make informed predictions.

Financially it is a big ask for us. My job is secure (healthcare) but partner is self employed and business is rapidly declining. He would not be entitled to sick pay if he needed to be off work, very worrying times.

I'm 41 so don't have time to wait really. We talked about leaving it a few months, but really we don't know if things will be better by then, or worse. This could still just be the start and it may be months before things get better.

Should we just continue and hope, or reconsider? Would love to know what others would do in our situation

As long as the clinic are okay to proceed, then I would go for it. It’s impossible to know how long this current situation will last.

I don’t know much about IVF but maybe ask the clinic if there is a possibility that it could be stopped halfway and what the implications would be (for your body and financially).

Good luck Op

@Mamato2gorgeousboys thanks.
They said it's business as usual today but that was before Boris' speech this afternoon.
They said if it needs to be abandoned before egg collection it could be postponed with no extra cost of treatment, but might have to pay for the drugs again if used and need to re-purchase for another 'go'. And the drugs aren't cheap. 🙁
Will sleep on it and make a decision tomorrow

It’s such a tough one. I think the main thing to consider financially is, even though the drugs are not cheap, do you have the money to pay it? % wise for the whole thing, how much extra is it?

With regards to your dp being self employed and his work slowing down, would you be prepared to wait until it picks back up knowing it could be 6 months?

I think you need to trust your gut. I know the country is shutting down, but it’s whether you want or have the time to wait.

A lot of clinics are cancelling, some till June.

I wouldn't start now.
I know waiting more time is rubbish but I'd say the chances of cancellation are high. I've just had to abandon this cycle after starting stims and will need to buy most of the drugs again as once opened the shelf life is 28 days.

I still think the wait will be months, many clinics are cancelling and I expect that will also be the case in private clinics.
With today's announcement the decision has been taken from your hands. 💐

I know the country is shutting down, but it’s whether you want or have the time to wait.

It's really not about this.

OP check out other threads on here, one woman was supposed to have transfer and it was cancelled.
It's about whether the clinic would even be open. It's about whether any of the many staff or patients of the clinic become infected with corona virus. It's about non emergency procedures being cancelled and operating theatres being used as extra ward capacity. And many more things beyond the OP's control.

@cariaaad you might find some support over at www.mumsnet.com/Talk/infertility/3845880-Coronavirus-and-fertility-clinics where some people are starting treatment.

@cariaaad I had just started a frozen cycle, but this has now had to be stopped. Our clinic is stopping all treatment for now (they will go ahead with egg collections this week, and eggs will be frozen and transferred at a later date).
I know the waiting is so hard, but there is a huge chance that clinics will close, so might be best to wait a couple of months. I would speak to you doctor at the clinic.

I think I would wait. Not a good time to have a precious pregnancy

@cariaaad also I am so sorry for your loss 😔 it’s a horrible process

Don't start now! I was 12 days into treatment for a FET. I was informed by the hospital a few hours ago that my cycle is being cancelled. I'm gutted. Of course, I completely understand why they've had to make that decision but I'm still upset and disappointed. To be fair I saw it coming, but it's still a shock.

@NRW39 that's such a shame, I really feel for you. Was it in an nhs hospital? Clinic still saying ok to start but that might well change very soon. It's heartbreaking isn't it. Hope you're looking after yourself 😔

@cariaaad Thank you x It is a real shame. I'm so sad this evening.

Yes, it's NHS- I'm with Guys in London.

I'm 40, and this is my 5th cycle, although it's abandoned now- Until when, I have no idea and neither do the hospital.

I feel like time is of the essence for me on this journey. It's already been a long hard road, with loses and failures and I feel beaten today.

I'm just looking for hope and I'm finding that in our frozen embryo at the moment... It is very hard though.

@NRW39 I totally understand. When you already feel that time isn't on your side it's so hard to be told to wait. And they aren't even able to give you a plan as who knows what's going to happen.

Our clinic is Care but based in an NHS hospital, staff employed by Care. From what I've been reading it seems that NHS clinics are cancelling but private are yet to do so, I understand NHS staff being pulled to other wards etc. Care have tweeted 'business as usual' for now today, so still keeping fingers crossed. We'll see.

Wishing you all the luck for your frostie, and hoping it won't be long till you can proceed. It totally ok to be gutted, collapse, cry but the fact you've been through the process 5 times shows how strong you are . I'll keep everything crossed for you x

@cariaaad thank you for your lovely message x

Best wishes to you too. I hope you are able to continue x

I'm really sorry to hear that you're stuck OP @cariaaad - I wouldn't want to advise you what to do, but I can say that I am currently on day 12 of IVF, I had my last scan today as I'm due egg collection on Friday, they did advise that I should be ok for collection, but literally anything could happen from now. They advised that they wouldn't be able to do a fresh transfer and that they can only offer a frozen transfer, devastated as this is our second round if IVF and I just feel like I've waited so long and now we have to wait longer, but I can only hope that it's the best thing for us. Really hope it works out for you! It's so bloody frustrating xx

@Dot457 keeping everything crossed for you for Friday. It is just so unbelievable isn't it, just when you don't need anymore stress. I'd say try to keep calm....but I know that's impossible.