Newcastle Centre for Life postponed IVF - anyone else?

[OneMoreForLuck]

Hi there.

Was supposed to be starting IVF asap. Final appointment before actually starting was meant to be next week.

Received phone call today saying something about the lab (?) ... something emergency ... something ... blah blah

So can't start treatment, can't give dates to start. Made it sound like they've done this across the board - not just me but all patients.

I'm allowed 3 NHS rounds before I'm 40.
This is not possible within the time frame now.

Any thoughts?
Any way they would extend the time limit given they have postponed it? (I was told at a previous appt. in November that I'd start at/before New Year!) Clutching at straws, I know.
Or can they somehow prioritise older patients?

I explained how devastating it was and they have reinstated my appointment for next week, but to talk about it, so presumably not actually make any difference.

Anyone else in the same boat with Newcastle Centre for Life? (Also I'm unclear what's happened with the lab because I was so shocked about the rest of the call.)

Hope I'm making sense. Pretty upset, obvs.

Bump

Not in same boat, but how old are you? I had two rounds around 6 months apart.

Is centre for life linked to RVI or is it separate? As I know someone starting with RVI

Next month, oops pressed send too early

Well put it this way, if it's six months for a round I've got time for one before I'm 40.

The way they talked about it before it never occurred to me that it might be that long if a round was unsuccessful. (Although I appreciate it's "how long is a piece of string?" But I thought it was if you had more than one transfer per round, and/or early losses, or specific medical issues, that things took longer. If a round involves only one straightforward but unsuccessful transfer I thought it was pretty much straight on to the next one.) They previously said I'd be starting in late Dec/early Jan and depending on these things, there would just about be time to have started the third round (if necessary) before my 40th. (And before that, made it sound like I'd be starting in Oct/Nov.)

Shit!!

I think they're linked with RVI but may be wrong. They previously sent me to RVI to check my tubes weren't blocked.

I called them again to clarify and apparently the thing that has delayed it is that the lab has been shut down for emergency equipment maintenance. So it will be everyone that is delayed.

I was at QE but think whole of north east is the same and yes it was the number of egg collections that counted as each round. So any frozen transfers counted as the same round.

I would double check that you just have to be accepted and start the first lot of treatment before 40 to still get the three rounds (so that if you've started before 40 that you could do you second and third cycles after 40). Unsure though as I am 36 so wasn't in that situation but that's how I have interpreted it on the link below? Might be worth clarifying?

www.newcastle-hospitals.nhs.uk/services/fertility-treatment/frequently-asked-questions/

Apparently it's just if they've started a round that they'd continue/finish that round past 40. They won't start a new round past 40 if you've already had one.

Anyway. Going to see what they say this week. And keep hoping!

@OneMoreForLuck fingers crossed

Hi @OneMoreForLuck sorry to bump such an old thread, but I’m having the same experience with Newcastle Centre for Life.

We were supposed to have IVF in the new year but we’ve just been told it’ll be delayed until summer due to “maintenance work”.

Just wondering how it went for you, were you waiting long for treatment in the end? They were very vague on the phone and wouldn’t give me any real explanation or new dates.
We’re pretty upset after waiting so long to get to this point.

Hi @sunnysadie
I started IVF about a month after posting here. The delay was of a few extra weeks as the lab had had to close unexpectedly.

My first round of IVF involved two separate embryo transfers, so took over 4 months. In case you don't already know - they like you to have one natural menstrual cycle between (unsucessful) transfers (possibly this is not the case for all patients, but was for me as someone with regular periods). So this adds to the time it takes.

I turned 40 within days of the second transfer, so theoretically missed my chance for a second round. However, as the extra delay (of a few weeks) had been caused by them, a nurse (?) argued my case and it was discussed with consultants who agreed I could have one more round, as long as I started it within a few months. (This round was successful first transfer.)

I'm so sorry you're going through this too. It seems awful that the timing isn't made clearer at the start. If there has been an unexpected extra delay you may be able to get another round, as I did.

The other thing to mention that I wasn't aware of at first - the downregulation part of IVF treatment (long protocol) isn't always essential. It's done to create a controlled, accurate start to the process. However, if you are having regular periods, you can choose to have the "short protocol", which involves starting IVF stimulation in line with when your body is naturally getting ready to ovulate. No need to shut everything down first. It involves an extra scan or two to ensure you start stimulation at the right time. Obvs this is several weeks faster! (And more pleasant IMO!)

Good luck - and do report back if you remember!