Second baby via IVF (ICSI) access fertility?

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I used access fertility. What questions do you have?

How did you find it? And any general advice really or your experience using them😊

Really easy. We did the 3 cycle refund program. They have to do medical checks with that and we were offered a 50% refund. Medication and tests aren’t included. Our first transfer ended in a miscarriage so we did a frozen transfer and apart from progesterone I had nothing to pay, so I really liked all the big bills being out the way and we could just focus on the transfers. Our first nhs cycle was a disaster, we only got 2 poor quality embryos which didn’t take. So we went for the refund option incase we ended up with hardly any embryos again. But our second cycle with a new clinic we got 5 blasts. One miscarriage and one my daughter and I’m pregnant with our next embryo (not access supported) So if I could go back I would choose the multi cycle option which is cheaper, but because of our first round we weren’t sure if we would get many embryos and we would need multiple rounds. The multi cycle options don’t require any medical testing, but there is no refund.

The whole process with access was really quick and they paid the clinic directly and there was no issues. Same when the frozen transfer happened.

Really appreciate your reply! Are the medical tests the ones your clinic advised? Or is it separate to what access requires? As I know it had put the tests prior and medication isn’t covered in the cost. Also to complete a consultation/tests prior to applying for access? Sorry to hear of your miscarriage but equally happy to hear of your success! Reassuring. We were looking at the 2 cycle & 50% refund program. We’re looking at going with the same clinic too. Just scares me going for the multi cycle with it being no refund but I can see as you go through how you would be more confident in choosing that one if you’ve done it before with access.

@Amy I think they ask your clinic for your medical records. I can’t 100% remember as it was 3 years ago. I had all my tests / consultations before I proceeded with access. Yes, I liked the reassurance of the refund. And honestly, we did over pay as we only had one egg retrieval and one frozen transfer, but it doesn’t matter as I have my daughter. And I preferred the reassurance of if it didn’t work out so well. Also, once the money was paid that was it, apart from meds. I didn’t have to worry about finding the money for a frozen transfer. Because those are nearly £3k each with my clinic so soon add up.

Oh I see, would make sense that they do that! This is us at the min, we would prefer some reassurance with it being a pricey amount but like you say you have your daughter so any amount is worth it! Just weighing up the options can be overwhelming for sure. You can definitely see the appeal with going with access for that reason on not worrying about any other bigger bills. We have got some of my partners samples frozen still so it would just be colllecting my eggs again and making the embryos, with what we experienced last time we don’t want to go with a fresh cycle. I’d prefer to freeze all then go forward with a frozen embryo. Did you find they ask you to go for a fresh cycle first? Or are you free to go forward with what you choose?

We always planned a fresh and the plan we were on was planned to do fresh unless there was a medical reason not to. There may be an extra charge for a freeze all. I called them and asked questions before we started and they were really good at answering them and sent over brochures.

I’m on an access package too Amy, I went for the 2 cycle multi-cycle (no refund) - the refund packages were more expensive and as a first timer with no prior IVF rounds we had a feeling we’d need more than one go… so first round only got one good embryo for a fresh transfer so even though the multicycle packages included any frozen embryos from the same egg collection to be used up we didn’t have any to take advantage of that. It’s such a gamble but really happy I have a second round (currently doing!) without needing to worry about where the money would come from. I had my initial scan and apt with the clinic ahead of applying to access, got bloods done via my GP, and then meds were on top. Good luck with whatever you decide ❤️❤️

@Danielle I see, I know when we did it through the NHS they stipulated we had to have a fresh cycle before going onto any frozen embryo’s, but will be sure to do the same and call for more information. It’s just nice to hear of personal experiences aswell as informative from them.

@Rachel thank you for your reply! I hope this round it’s successful for you all 🥰 It’s definitely a option to look at doing the no refund program, I know we have previous records of what helped with our success last time but equally I’m expecting they’re to be some changes with my body changing through child birth but we’re hoping to go with the same clinic as we had to ease the anxiety of it all. It’s nice to hear of couples who are using access to help as it’s something very new to us and when you’re just looking at all the figures it’s pretty overwhelming!