IVF......How to save costs!

calmspirit

Hi
my tuppence worth! I had 2 children by IVF, first one paid for by my mum as local health authority didnt fund IVF. I then moved into an area that NHS did fund IVF but I wasnt entitled because I already had a child! So I went on an egg sharing scheme at a very 'posh' private hospital. The other couple funded both cycles, I had to pay consultancy fees, all test fees etc, very understanding GP prescibed fertility drugs.
My word of warning with agg sharing ....... be very careful and arm yourself with ALL the facts about the cycles. Despite having had IVF before I wasnt aware that I had been overstimulated and the hospital werent that bothered, as they were getting more eggs (31 produced !) I ended up in NHS hospital dangerously ill and nearly lost my life and the baby. Luckily it worked out but could have easily ended up a disaster because I was so desperate for a child I ignored the warning signs. Information information information.....get all you can. As with most things the more information you have the less scarey it is.....and there are so many other things that have been suggested already that may work for you.
Have you tried all the fertility hospitals on the HFEA list? Prepared to travel to a different county? I remember the Hammersmith particularly offered a reasonable priced IVF cycle.
Sending you hugs, pm me anytime I will try to help with info or be a shoulder if you need....

cannyscot_2

Heavenly I used the "system" that fsdss used GP funded drugs, I went to Bupa hospital and then into state system but paid the cost-it worked out much cheaper-I don't know if the GP got permission I didn't ask he offered and I very gratefully said yes.

I did my research , called them all up and spoke to people and got this situation. This was at St james's Leeds which was not near me but had a good price, low waiting list and good results. Good advice here.

I'd second shopping around, going on vitamin and weight loss program and my only other advice would be to go straight to IVf and use your credit cards at 27 your at your best. Go for it if you can .

the_devil_made_me_do_it

The LIFE centre in newcastle wasn't to keen on giving me info when I telephoned, I got the impression they wanted my £200 consultation fee before they gave me any info. The BUPA hospital I foned was the same, just interested in the cash before advice was given out.

LondonDiva

cannyscot wrote:

Heavenly I used the "system" that fsdss used GP funded drugs

While I'm sure that you're all trying to give the OP some tips that worked for you, I cannot stress too strongly how inappropriate and potentially serious it is for a GP to prescribe drugs for a treatment the NHS is not paying for, both in terms of risk exposure and fraud.

GP who does this endangers his/her liscense and if anything goes wrong opens the practice and the PCT to legal action.