Considering fertility options - private health care?

CreditCrunchie

Hi all,

We are coming up to 12 months ttc with no luck. I've never been on birth control, ovulate every month (use opk's and temps), and we are both healthy as far as we know. There is obviously some sort of issue that we're not aware of.

I'm about to book an appointment with GP to have "the talk" about why it's not happening for us. In case we end up having to have fertility treatments and endless tests etc, would it be a good idea to take out medical insurance now? I'm thinking a small amount per month would be easier to cope with that big fees for all the tests etc.

pinkshoes

You can't get medical insurance for a pre-existing condition usually, so having TTC for a year with no success, it would not pay out for pregnancy related tests.

tyllwyd

You should have a look at the coverage on any medical insurance - I doubt that they would cover much fertility treatment.


But I think you are running ahead of yourself a bit - it can't hurt to talk to your GP, but that's not the same as saying that there is 'obviously' an issue. Sometimes these things just don't happen to plan, and even if there is an issue, it might not need medical treatment, so wait and see what your GP says first.
Fingers crossed it all works out for you soon.

CreditCrunchie

Would that include just initial tests to see if there IS a problem? I haven't even seen a doctor yet so no idea what we'll need if anything or how much things cost.

CreditCrunchie

Thank you very much Tyll. I hope that is the case but can't help feeling it isn't as everyone else I know has conceived quickly, and definitely within 12 months. I don't have much time to play with either as i am 33.

time2deal

I don't think it's available in the UK to be honest - although I'd love to be proven wrong. I've never seen it offered, and as you already are showing signs of infertility (which is simply diagnosed as 12 months trying without success) then I think you would have to declare it.

Most NHS trusts offer you at least one cycle, assuming you meet the criteria, and some offer IUI cycles as well. You should check with your local health trust and see if you can find out options.

First step will be a sperm test, and possibly a referral to a gynae to look for problems with you. Getting from A to IVF on NHS takes a while so it's worth getting the ball rolling early.

CreditCrunchie

Thanks, i'll book an appointment and see what they say. It's all very scary, though we are willing to face the prospect we may have to drop the idea if things get too expensive.

time2deal

CreditCrunchie wrote: »

Thank you very much Tyll. I hope that is the case but can't help feeling it isn't as everyone else I know has conceived quickly, and definitely within 12 months. I don't have much time to play with either as i am 33.

When you are struggling it always feels like 'everyone else' conceives at the drop of a hat. But if you have the courage to mention it normally you'll find a few kindred souls.

Have you had a look at the trying to conceive threads? They can give lots of advice about timing things, helping mens health, improving cervical fluid etc. All of which might sound minor, but it all helps. You only need it to work once after all! However, if you are ovulating fine and have always had a normal cycle you need to warm up your partner to the idea that it could be an issue from his side. Fertility is 50/50 and men are notoriously hard to motivate to take vitamins, reduce sugar, stop wearing tight undies, stop putting laptop on lap etc.

NHS will do tests for you, but again it takes time as they may ask you to try for 2 years before helping. Depends on your GP sometimes. If you go private, initial tests are not terribly expensive (compared to IVF) so you could mix between private and public to get the right mix of speed and cost-effectiveness.

Northern78

Not much help with regards to medical insurance CC but we were in a similar position.

Had been trying for over a year and had no luck, in fact it was nearer 2 years for us. I was 31 when we started trying. I was ovulating every month just never hit the jackpot. Decided to book an appointment to see if anythign was wrong and low and behold, next thing I'm pregnant! Went on to have a very healthy and happy DS.

Had the talk about trying for baby 2 and agreed that we didn't want to be trying for 2 more years so agreed to try for one and if nothing happened we'd accept that we were only meant to be blessed with DS. As it turns out the second month of trying for baby 2 we were successful and baby 2 is now due in November! So there might be nothing wrong with either of you, just nature playing it's own evil games with us.

pinkshoes

CreditCrunchie wrote: »

Thanks, i'll book an appointment and see what they say. It's all very scary, though we are willing to face the prospect we may have to drop the idea if things get too expensive.

What's wrong with the NHS?

As you're under 40, then most areas will offer free IVF/testing for at least 1 cycle.

time2deal

p.s. Don't be afraid of the massive Trials and tribulations thread. The ladies there are lovely and supportive of everyone and understand the ongoing heartbreak of infertility