IVF on the NHS. Success stories welcome

[RoseWinter]

(moving this from the Conception board as recommended)

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has had a cycle of IVF on the NHS and found it to be successful?

I'm 38, had advanced excision surgery for severe endometriosis 8 months ago and started TTC in October last year. My surgery was succeasfull, though I have only 2 fallopian tube. Both ovaries are fine.

Due to my endo, I've had fertility appointments with the NHS to discuss the possibility of IVF with them post surgery. They've done all their tests on me and everything looks fine. Partners specimen sample was also fine.

My IVF consultation with the NHS is in 10 weeks time and until then I'm TTC naturally. The fertility consultant at the NHS hospital I met with was very honest with me and said if I don't have a successful pregnancy through IVF with the NHS, they'll dump me and tell me to go private. They can only offer one cycle. Most the people I know have gone privately for IVF and this is something my other half and I just wont be able to afford continuous private IVF cycles. We could maybe do one cycle or two at a push but it's going to be very tight if we did decide to go private.

Does anyone have any experience with IVF on the NHS. Anyone had a successful pregnancy going via NHS?

TIA x

I’m currently just over 26 weeks pregnant from our first round of NHS ivf. Just of note the consultant who does ivf at the hospital also does private from there too so effectively the same consultant does both work. I can’t see how the service you get will be any different, one just costs you money as one doesn’t.

I’m currently 37+4 weeks pregnant with my second IVF round via the NHS. I found them really good all the way through and can’t fault their service.
I was lucky enough to have 2 rounds on the NHS, first attempt I fell pregnant but miscarried at 8 weeks, next 2 transfers failed and the 4th one was successful, we are lucky enough to also have 2 saved frozen embryos.
Currently have a very active little boy waiting to make his appearance in less than 2 weeks.
Just to let you know we are unexplained and both myself and partners results all came back fine.
Good luck :)

I am sorry for your difficulties to date. Plenty of people will have had success through NHS IVF treatment, for the majority it's not different to private other than it's free. Lots of consultants work in both private and NHS settings.

If you are going down the route of IVF I would try to move forwards with it ASAP because of your age. It is worth reading up about the realities of IVF in that success rates are very low (average 20/30% per embryo transferred), and post 35 there is a steady decline in success rates. Robert Winston's 'the essential fertility guide' is a pragmatic and evidence based account of the current state of play. As a guide it can help avoid some of the common pitfalls of over treatment and unnecessary testing/add-ons which are common place in the private arena. Wishing you the best of luck going forwards.

I'm so pleased for you! Thank you for sharing your story with me. It definitely gives hope. Especially on a day like today ❤️

Congratulations on your almost very nearly here little one from the IVF process. I'm so pleased it eventually worked out for you and the hospital were able to provide further support you with conceiving finally. Another story of hope, thank you so much for sharing x

@RoseWinter also I’m 40 so miracles do happen 🥰.
Feel free to ask anything if you wish/require.
Again good luck 😊 x

I was 37 and we were unexplained when my first round of IVF on the NHS resulted in DD now 5, when she was 18 months DS was a spontaneous conception.
Good luck x

Hi @RoseWinter

So I'm 36 currently and 10 weeks pregnant.

Similar to yourself - diagnosed with endometriosis stage 4 last year, with a large endometrioma on my right side. Unfortunately one of my ovarian tubes was unsalvageable too.

My gynaecologist - said "IVF was the way forward for us" and "we'd have plenty of kids in our future."

I had my two surgeries last year - March and May. Then my IVF NHS apt in June (kept calling and calling daily for cancellations - and managed to move it from sept to June). I

I was initially funded for 2 cycles on the NHS. But then moved GP surgeries (prob an hour away from my home address) and got funded for 3. I'm not sure if this an option for you? Took a bit of research, but CCG has some clear guidelines about funding for areas.

And now fast forward 2 failed fresh cycles and one frozen. I had my first positive pregnancy test. It may be early days, but I'm hopeful in the process.

The journey can be tiring and frustrating, but stay hopeful. This platform is full of wonderful women all sharing their journeys and has been exactly what I really needed during the tough times.

I hope this helps 💕

@SH998 your story is one of hope thank you, I appreciate it. This group is wonderful ❤️🙏🏼

This was wonderful to read. Thank you for sharing. It honestly does make me feel more hopeful about my journey. It's interesting to hear how some NHS practices will offer a little extra help in terms of transfers and cycles depending on your circumstances x

I can’t comment on success yet as I’m currently going through an NHS cycle but had a private consultation and some tests done privately also and can say I cannot fault the NHS treatment so far. The staff have been amazing and so responsive on our portal (replies within half an hour) and more than happy to answer any questions. As above most consultants who work in the NHS work privately also so chances are you could even end up seeing the same consultant as if you go private.

If you are being offered an NHS round and it fits with your timescales I would definitely advise to go for it!

It really does help ease me, thank you for being open with your journey. Learning I had severe endo with a blocked fallopian tube which wasn't salvageable totally broke me as I knew at some point my other half and I wanted to try for a family together.

Really interesting that you were offered further transfers/cycles on the NHS. I'm hoping that if my journey did end up having to go via IVF then it's not complicated for me.

Wishing you the best of luck with your pregnancy. Really pleased it all worked out for you 🤞🏼🙏🏼

@RoseWinter

I completely understand that it's the last thing you would expect to happen, and can really have an effect on you mentally. But there's still hope 💕

Aww yes, when I was looking at CCG funding I realised the difference in IVF cycles offered. And spoke to them before I moved surgeries. And also checked to see if I would need to be re-referred or not. If possible, I totally recommend it🤞🏽

Thank you so much. While I wait for more of an update with where I'm at with my appointment, we are still trying naturally. AF arrived this morning, baby news from a friend last week and a tough mothers day yesterday has deflated me today.

Trying to stay as hopeful as possible x

We had success. First round NHS got 17 eggs, only 2 made it to embryo stage and one good quality. That's my son who is now 2 years old. I was 25 years at the time and partner 35.
I have PCOS and partner low sperm count so we had ICSI.