Help I need IVF advice.

Magpie27

Hi All

I need some advice about IVF as I'm confused about the correct procedure. Me and boyfriend want to have a baby together but we know we will have to have IVF as he had a vasectomy duing his first marriage. He tried to have this reversed but this failed - so now the only option is IVF.

As far as I can see we won't qualify for NHS treatment because he had a vasectomy. So what I'm not sure about is do we still need to see our GP first before going to a private clinic or can you just go straight to a clinic?

Does anyone recommend any good private clinics near Watford? Also I have read about IVF clinics abroad does anybody have any experiences about this they can share with me?

Thank you in advance for any advice x

whitewing

Hi magpie,

I don't know the answers, but couldn't leave the question hanging..

I would phone the GP and ask, and also phone a couple of clinics and ask, and maybe discuss the options too with NHS Direct 0945 46 47.

Personally, I would be wary of getting treatment abroad as their laws may be very different to ours.

Hope it all works out.

Tashja

Hi hun

Try www.fertilityfriends.co.uk

Most of the ladies on there are going through or have been through IVF and can tell you which clinics are best and the costs of these clinics. They are also a great support for when you are going through treatment.

There is also a section of going through treatment abroad and the laws/etc are not to differant and it can work out cheaper

Good luck

T xx

Magpie27

Hi thanks a lot for the website.

Tashja

If you join drop me a PM with your user name on it and I will pop by and say hello - lol

T xx

iieee

I think your GP needs to refer you before you can see a fertility consultant. Even if you're not eligible for NHS treatment, you do get the consultation appointments and tests done free on the NHS, whereas you wouldn't privately. The best thing is if you and OH are registered at the same GP, then you can have an appointment there together. They will probably want to do a few basic tests as part of the referral, i.e. blood tests for you and a sperm analysis for your OH.

Good luck with it all.

Magpie27

iieee thanks for the advice.

Tashja

iieee

Not all GPs will do the tests

It depends on your GP and the amount of money avaliable to your surgery. Some GPs will do the basic tests for you and some will even fund some of the drugs you will need for the IVF - unfortunately though some GPs will not fund anything.

Always worth asking though.

t xx

iieee

Wow - I did not know that tashja. I used to post on another infertility board (it took us 3 years to conceive and we did all the GP tests and more but never went through with the referral in the end). I didn't realise GPs refused tests sometimes. That's terrible.

Tashja

It is that good old postcode lottery again

I have seen ladies (who couldn't get their NHS goes) have their drugs from the NHS, some have had the basic tests and some GPs have refused to even think about helping - it really is such a shame.

Also you do forgo your "free" NHS goes if your partner has children from a previos relationship or has had a vasectomy reversal on the NHS.

I am happy to see you got your little one though Hun

T xx

Js_Other_Half

We have been told we are not entitled to our one free cycle now, as we have DS courtesy of going private for IVF...

It really is a postcode lottery, but as others have said your first port of call should be your GP.