IVF- Where to start?

[redrollers]

Am I in the right section?
Where do I start? Do I go to GP?
Or straight to private? I'm 41, so not long left!!

Your GP may not be able to help you if the guidelines for NHS IVF in your area are the same as most - no woman over 39 or 40 qualifies for IVF on the NHS in most cases.

Going private is hugely quicker and more efficient. In most cases you will be seen by the same people and in the same hospitals as if you were having NHS IVF, just you'll pay for it and you will queue jump too.

As for picking a clinic, look at the HFEA website. This site allows you to put in your postcode and look at clinics near you, and then compare them on whatever basis you like - eg success rates in women over 40.

Good luck - I've had a lot of IVF treatments and they aren't that bad

There is an assisted conception thread in the Conception topic if you want to pick other peoples' minds about IVF and the different clinics.

And, some clinics allow you to self refer - and others like your GP to refer you. When you've found a clinic you like (and is nearby enough to get to on a twice daily basis for a couple of weeks without going mad) call them up and see what they like by way of referral. All clinics are used to women phoning up at the start of the IVF process and not really knowing what they need to know/bring/do, so the clinics are really good at dealing with this situation.

thank you so much, just looking at that HFEA website is a start. i have sooo many questions now!!

Where are you bases redrollers?

London, SW

I would definitely advise you to check out the Lister. For us older ladies, who are less likely to respond to treatment, the Lister is generally considered to be the best (I think it's in SW London). The pregnancy rates on the HFEA website might not look that great, but the Lister will pretty much treat anyone (some places will only treat you if you meet their criteria so as to not skew their success rates).

At age 41 you won't get NHS funding unfortunately -- the cut off is age 39.

Best of luck xx

just to be nosey but is it 39 for the woman or both partners?

Sorry you're having to start off the IVF journey redrollers, it is a massive learning curve. As onlyaphase says, physically I found IVF totally "doable"- what's hard is the emotional side of things.

The key thing at your age (and I'm not far behind you!!) is choice of clinic, and getting a move on. They vary widely in their success rates over 40 in particular. You are lucky living in London that 2 of the best clinics in the country for over 40s are there, namely the ARGC and The Lister.

I would strongly advise you to also look at the fertility friends website. It's UK based and there are a huge number of very friendly women on there. There are sections for over 40s, newbies, and most of the clinics and regions round the country. I learnt most of what I know about IVF there one way or another.

We had most of our treatment at our local clinic which was the preferred NHS supplier; I found it quite set in its ways. Our successful cycle was courtesy of one of the top clinics in the country which had a far more progressive approach. I guess what I'm saying is don't necessarily just go to the one on your doorstep, or the one your GP is "used" to.

You will learn that you have to be quite involved and proactive as an IVF patient. Knowledge is power and all that- particularly when you are paying. I doubt very much that you'll get anything on the NHS I'm afraid, but at least that means you have infinite choice.

If you have a sympathetic GP you may find they will help you with some initial bloodtests which can all mount up in private. Eg day 3 LH and FSH, day 21 progesterone, HIV and Hep B etc.

Hope this helps and good luck!

X-post with Yaya!

It's 39 for the woman usually, as success rates for IVF fall with the female partner's age

oh ok, thankyou.

We just need some help. We have one ds, had 2 miscarriages. Hospital said all is ok, had checkup after miscarriages(friendly gp)
but just worried that we don't have much time left to leave it up to nature.
I am so desperate. And dh is away a lot so sometimes we miss our opportunity!
I wasn't thinking we could get it on the nhs, was just thinking if we needed a gp referral.

Can I add to the Lister rave if you're in SW? I have DD and now pregnant with twins and am just so sorry I can't have babies there - staff are amazing, all incredibly supportive and flexible. Also lovely walk by the river/BAttersea Park when you need to clear your head or just think.
Agree about the tests though - GP first as cheaper!

My only thought was that you will need lots of basic tests for IVF several of which your Gp can get done for you on the NHS while you wait for your IVF consultant appointment, so might be worth getting a Gp appointment anyway and start those. I am sure a clinic will give you a full list, but from memory (am just starting my first ivf cycle):
full blood count
thyroid test
HIV/Hep C
Progesterone levels - the day 3 and day 21 tests (day 21 not accurate, it is whenever it is 7 days post ovulation for you)
recent smear test and chlaymdia swabs at the same time
prolactin blood test

All the best .