IVF NHS and private IVF

[Estateagent33]

Can anyone help. I have had a private round of IVF (funded gifted from a small inheritance) which resulted in a chemical pregnancy. In the back round I have been on NHS ivf waiting list for 3 years (some huge errors where made by the system) I have now moved health board and have been accepted. In wales, NHS offers 2 rounds. There where some findings such as I need ICSI and higher does of stims. How does private round affect my NHS rounds? I could just say nothing or if I do will they refuse my place or reduce my attempts? Desperate. TIA

I know that if you've had a private one, the NHS one won't happen. I wouldn't lie as you never know what sort of cross checks they can do, also, you wouldn't be able to share your learnings.

@Estateagent33 it depends on your CCG, mine is Surrey and you can have private IVF and not lose your two NHS rounds. I double checked before going for private as we're still waiting to hear back from NHS funding and in the meantime got pregnant from that private round so probably won't need NHS, but it's completely CCG dependent so download your CCGs fertility policy and read very carefully, it may be ok.

You could not tell them, I'd understand why as they've made mistakes that have held you back, three years is an age in fertility isn't it! So you could argue you had private due to those errors. Telling them your previous protocol might get you a better outcome if they accept the learning from it, depends again if the clinic you get would or if they'd do it their way first round.

Ah im so pleased you had a great outcome congratulations. Ive had their policy, but it is very wishy washy. It so tough, im so nervous. I have our first appointment next week and they asked over the phone had I had any previous ivf rounds and I paniced and said no.

I dont suppose there is a way they would know about private round if I dont consent for the private clinic with NHS is there. Xx

Interesting the policy is wishy washy, mine was explicit about it. Which ccg are you in?

If I was you, I probably wouldn't tell them. Unfortunately it's a bit of a game to play at the moment with the NHS, we've been let down by them too (husband was misdiagnosed 10 years ago when we first got together in early 20s, suspected he had a varicocele and was told no he didn't, so it got worse and worse and left him infertile and we only found out when we TTC in our early 30s!) I find it so awful that some CCGs punish people who have taken out loans, saved hard, had family donations or could just afford to spend on private IVF, it should be separate from NHS rounds, especially when some CCGs offer only one. We used our savings for IVF and now have to start again for a deposit, I'd hate to be punished for that if it hadn't worked and I needed to use my NHS round!

You may have to go along with a protocol that you know isn't perfect for you however, if you don't tell them. I'm happy to peruse your ccg fertility info if you let me know what it is (hubby works in public health so is good at processing documents too) and see if its allowed?

Just to add you can also use your learning and advocate for yourself in the NHS rounds even if you don't tell them. If you aren't responding to stims you can push for them to be increased, you can ask for ICSI due to hubby's sperm count etc. They'll be doing all these tests again so hopefully will find these things out on their own.

So I went for my appointment with Wales Fertility institute today and the private one wont affect my allowance of two. I provided the full records from the private clinic and the consultant said this was great because they will increase the stims and definitely do ICSI. Just waiting for bloods results to come back and we have our meds meeting on the 6th March. I'm so relieved. 🙏

Fantastic news @Estateagent33 , it's a rare and mean CCG that takes away rounds because you've managed to do private. All the best with your next round! :)