IVF

[Twigs2021]

Hi I am 40 and single and would really like a baby / some advice . I just don’t know where to start . Can anyone help . Thinking possibly going down the IVF route ! Is that my only option at 40? All advice welcome thank you .

Hi Twigs, this is what I did. I was 42 when I started treatment. First thing you need is a fertility assessment to see what your ovarian reserve is like and if your hormones are doing all the right things at the right times in your cycle. Based on the results the clinic will talk through your options and chances of success, but the final decision is yours.

Thank you for your swift response . Can I do this via the nhs or private

I don’t think the NHS is funding for solo mums, I’ve paid for everything myself, but my GP has run some of the tests for me to save money

Thank you have been really helpful

Three resources I recommend while you’re doing your research:
www.hfea.gov.uk/choose-a-clinic/
www.dcnetwork.org/
FB group called Fertility Buddies

Good luck with whatever you decide to do!

I did this at your age. NHS won't fund the IVF. Happy to share my experiences.

Thanks everyone so much to research . Vera16 I would love to hear your experience.

Try reprofit in Brno there is a very supportive Facebook group too.

You might also like to check out the Donor Conception section of Mumsnet, you'll find other people in a similar position there.

Without wanting to sound unkindly, at your age you don’t have time to waste on an NHS waiting list. Private is the way to go. I can recommend Gennet Clinic in Prague. I have also heard great things about Reprofit in Brno. Don’t delay. I’d make an appointment at a private clinic for the earliest appointment to get a fertility assessment and then take things from there.

I’d also start taking immediately some vitamins for fertility support - i can recommend NHP Advanced Fertility Women Support Capsules and omega 3 capsules - to try and improve egg quality. You want to support your body to produce the best eggs possible. Also try and improve your restfulness and sleeping, hold off on excessive drinking, and try and improve your eating if possible too, eating more whole foods and less processed.

Good luck

It is possible....I've just put this post on.....

Hey All...is there any more of me out there?
I'm 39 and single. I had a mc 5 months ago at 7 weeks....my relationship had come to an end....where before I had accepted that kids probably weren't going to happen for me I suddenly felt a complete turn around!

So I went to the GP who had never been asked this question....can the NHS help me get pregnant alone....but she made effort to help abs then a clinician at the hospital advocated my situation and I've received funding for IVF.......

I've had checks....FSH level is 10....normal for my age but where I used to be like clockwork with my period every 28 days now I'm all over the place....I don't know whether it's because of my period or taking pregnacare conception vitamins or what but I'm hoping they resume. I've had an ultrasound which showed a small fibroid but it's not impacting on my uterus (hesteroscopy).....anyhow....I've got my first consultation with the fertility clinic and hoping it progresses......don't quite believe it yet....feel very privileged to be given this opportunity...

However......if this is successful this is going to be one hell of a ride.......

I feel like I'm the only woman that is doing this on her own?! Surely that can't be true???

GGJJ82 where did you post this? Interested to know if you had any response. I went down this road and now I'm raising my lovely son. I don't think so much about the process now but I would love to meet other Mums in similar situation. I know a lot of women choose this route (allegedly) but I've never met any of them?!

Also big congrats on fighting for your rights and getting NHS funding. I salute you.

Hi Vera16,
It's so lovely to here you have been successful and have a little boy!

I've only just posted it and nothing yet.
When I first spoke to the GP and the gynae ward when I had the miscarriage I felt like I had two heads for asking as no one seemed to know how I could achieve it.

Nothing is set in stone yet but I have my consultation with the fertility clinic on the 2nd of September so we'll see. I'm trying to keep level headed about it all but would
Love to know more about your journey and any advice from you.... thank you for replying.

I also don't want women out there to think the NHS can't help...as privately is so expensive......

*hear

I posted it on this app as a new thread but not sure how easy it is to find....have you searched for it?

Happy to offer any advice I can. At this stage I would just say go for it if you really want it. Don't not do it because you are worried about what people will think. Of course its a little awkward telling people (surprise!) but that part is over so quickly and then its just a standard pregnancy and new Mum experience.

Also I would say IVF is stressful and odds are it won't work first time so be prepared for that. Have a plan for what to do it it doesn't work first time rather than mentally putting all your eggs (!) in the one basket. If it works out with NHS I am sure they would offer more than one cycle in any case.

Thank you. I'm definitely going for it. The NHS have to get one round in before you are 40 (part of the criteria in this area). And then you have another 2 rounds.

I'm trying to keep a level head with it all and expecting that it won't work full stop but it's easier said then done.

I suppose I'm just wanting tips around what can help to keep eggs healthy or stay pregnant if I do. Probably sounds daft.
I'm taking vitamins and eating as healthy as I can. I'm just taking folic acid, zinc abs vit D.....I do have a few drinks on the weekend though which I'm going to cut down on 🤦‍♀️......I kept on exercising when I was pregnant and even though they say it doesn't I was concerned in case that didn't help.

You can disappear down a rabbit hole of info on how to get and stay pregnant. If you have only had one miscarriage chances are you could stay pregnant and have no problems next time. Obviously you know this but probably doesn't stop imagining worst case scenarios. Sounds like are doing all the right things. Have you thought about taking a baby aspirin? Covers a lot of bases for potential clotting issues. Ask your doctor first though. I think NHS are now recommending it throughout pregnancy for older Mums. They asked me to take it but I had decided to take from day 1 in any case.

I can see a few ladies questioning the IVF funding as a lone parent. Sadly you can’t be trying to conceive as a lone person. Which sucks ass, but I get it. It costs more than you think to with medication, travel, supplements, tests (they only issue you 1), consultation, counselling session.

NHS funding actually depends on where you live. I’m in wales and all of the country funds NHS for single women. I was granted 6 IUI cycles and 2 IVF cycles but with a 2 year waiting list I went privately in the end as I didn’t have time to spare. I’m not sure what their age limits are though, I have a feeling it’s 42 or 43

It was about £5000-£6000 per cycle in the UK. There are cheaper clinics abroad which I looked into but ultimately decided to stay closer to home

I had my DC through this and he’s worth it all. Another 2 on the way any day now to complete my family. It’s hard work alone but worth it

Good luck :)

Hello, I’m looking to get some initial IVF related tests done in London. Any recommendations for the clinics based on personal experience would be much appreciated. PS: I’m a 40 year old women. TIA

@hopevalley00

Hello, I’m looking to get some initial IVF related tests done in London. Any recommendations for the clinics based on personal experience would be much appreciated. PS: I’m a 40 year old women. TIA

Sorry, should have posted this in a new thread, didn’t mean to hijack this thread.