How long to start IVF?

[Hopeislost]

If I were to contact a clinic today, how long would it be before we actually did IVF, on average? We're looking at the Access packages, but prices are age dependent so keen to start before my next birthday!

So it depends on the clinic. You would need to have baseline investigations if you haven't already. Then have a consultation with a specialist with the results, so that could be a few weeks.

If the specialist agrees to ivf then you will need to fill in the appropriate consent forms and show them the results of certain tests like a chlamydia swab and bloods for hepatitis and hiv.

Access fertility can arrange the non refund package without a health check and when I applied for that they granted it the same day I paid. The refund packages take 2 weeks for them to check the documents, as there is a kind of health check process, I think they do this with the report from your specialist.

Once that is sorted your specialist will put your protocol together and you can either arrange for medications to be delivered through a company they work with or you can ask for a private prescription. I do this and get the meds from Asda as they sell them at cost price.

You will then be told when to start medications in relation to your next cycle.

It really depends on your situation, the area you live in, etc. The best thing to do really is to contact the clinic and ask them what their waiting times are like.

As an example, this is our journey...

Jan 2021- realised we were having problems conceiving, contacted fertility clinic directly for tests. We went private as the NHS were taking 3-4 months to do tests.

March - All tests had been done and we had our first consultation.
They recommended we would need ICSI but also sent us for further tests. They also referred us to the NHS consultant as we were eligible for ICSI on the NHS. There was a 3 month wait for the NHS consultant appointment.

July - Initial call with NHS consultant who has agreed we need ICSI and will now request the funding

Funding takes 6-8 weeks to be approved, so the earliest we will start is September. That's 9 months from initial contact but bear in mind we paid for private tests.

If we hadn't paid for private tests I think it would have been around a year from initial contact to starting NHS treatment.

If you have private treatment as well you can start quicker as you don't need to wait for the funding approval.

This will all probably vary hugely depending on your area though. Really you will just have to contact them. Good luck.

I wouldn't waste any time in contacting a clinic - get on the books and start the ball rolling! I'm in Wales and waits have been horrendous - though could well be better for you / or if you go private

Hi OP, seem like I have had a completely different experience through the nhs. My first appointment was January this year and I am currently going through IVF with ICSI now, I started stims last week. So I wouldn't rule out the nhs, obviously it is personal choice but it's been about 6 months from initial consultation, all tests/investigations, consent/form filling etc and treatment starting. Good luck!

Hi like people have said previously it all depends on your clinic and if you are going via NHS or private.
We had to go down the private route as there was no NHS funding currently where we live and also decided on access fertility.
We first contacted clinic in Jan 2021. Had our fertility tests in Feb and our Cosultation appointments in March to talk through our results and options going forward. Due to male fertility issues we had to go down the ICSI route.
I found that access fertility took about 2 weeks to confirm what package we were eligible for and we were able to start late April will egg collection and transfer middle of May!!
Good luck with whichever route you decide to go down!! Xx