It might not take as long as you think through the NHS I got referred very quickly and then the sperm analyse was done though a private clinic but on the NHS and then I was put on medication to help me ovulate and I now have my little baby girl years after trying by myself previously and suffering from PCOS I gave birth just before I turned 40. Might be worth trying NHS still. I wish you well in whatever you decide.
@Sharon thank you, my doctor actually looked through this with me today. Unfortunately we don’t have many so close, they’re all going to be a train journey away 😩 guess we’ll be spending more money on over nights stays 🫣
@Amy my wait time is minimum 6 months I’ve been told 😔 and that’s just for a consultation. But time is really ticking and after 8 years of trying, with 6 years waiting on DRs to take me seriously, we just need it rushed a little bit more, in hopes we get somewhere this year. We’re still staying on NHS in the meantime though. Thank you. So glad you got your baby girl 🥰
@Bethany such a shame you have to wait so long I know how hard and frustrating it can be. Time is definitely on your side though so try not to get too stressed about it all because it really won't help. I appreciate easier said then do though because it can be a very stressful process but definitely worth the baby at the end of it all
@Amy unfortunately time definitely isn’t on my side. My husband is 13/14 years older than me and although wants a family together, where he is also has back issues and epilepsy, he doesn’t want to be a father to a new born past 45 as he feels he wouldn’t be able to enjoy it as much where he would be very limited on what activities he could do. Plus my husband has an 18 year old daughter who hates the idea of not being the only ‘child’ anymore and has expressed her want for her own baby asap. Which is to more so try to stop us from having a baby if she had one. Had NHS/Drs taken me seriously back 8 years ago, maybe we would have already had little feet running about. 😔
@Bethany sorry I never saw the reply until now such a shame the Dr's didn't take you seriously back then some aren't very good at things like this I had my far share of rubbish ones. I had to push the receptionist on the phone to even let me talk to thr dr they tried to say it wasn't important I said it is to me and pushed else I probably wouldn't have my little girl now. I really hope things work out for you xxx
Sorry to hear about your struggle! I started TTC when I was 35ish and started IVF at 37 (1 nhs funded cycle followed by 2 private). How I wish I went private from the very beginning, as the nhs clinic was really so slow in response! It would have saved us so much time! Anyway I was naive to think ivf would work very quickly, it actually took us 4 years of IVF (including 3 miscarriages and ruptured ovary with emergency surgery) to finally have our baby. So be prepared for this possibly long journey and in case you have CARE fertility in your area that’s the clinic I used and would highly recommend them. All the best x
@Wanyu thank you, I’m also sorry to hear your struggles too 💔 but so glad in the end the outcome was good! It’s actually so funny that you have messaged this today! As two nights ago we had finally decided which clinic we will be going for ! Care Fertility T.W! They also have a satellite clinic in Sittingborne so it’s a little bit closer (not by so much but every little helps). We are just waiting for my husband’s analysis results to come back before we make our first appointment. Thank you so much for your reply! It’s actually really nice to hear someone has recommended the place we have picked x
@Bethany Wow really wishing you all the best with CARE!! We chose their Birmingham branch and bought a 2 cycle package for £9K I think (but I was 38 so it should be cheaper for you). Best decision ever! The clinic is about one hour drive from home and I think it’s totally manageable. Oh just one thing I wasn’t happy with - they charge a lot more for meds (like all clinics tbh), so remember to shop around for ivf meds & don’t buy it from the clinic you could save £££!! Happy to chat about my experience & recommend a provider I used, but your local Asda could also be an option.
Have you had a look at the HFEA website? https://www.hfea.gov.uk/choose-a-clinic/clinic-search/results/?location=Bexley&distance=25 This should show you the best clinics in your area. One thing I will say: prioritise choosing a clinic that is close to home as you will be there A LOT, normally first thing in the morning.