1 year unexplained infertility - go private or wait another year for NHS IVF?
36F, 35M, first time posting :). we’ve just hit the 1 year mark of trying without a single positive test. We’ve been very slowly going through the process of NHS testing (as we’re in the UK) the past few months and everything is looking normal so far (that’s the only information we got given by the consultant at our phone results appointment (‘normal’ ovarian reserve and semen analysis, no reports or numbers). Next for me is a Hycosy (waiting to be called to book the appointment) I’ve been told that’s another 2-3 months wait and although I guess my tubes could be blocked I have no prior risk factors so I think it’s unlikely. The NHS consultant told us we have to be trying for at least 2 years to qualify for funding if we remain ‘unexplained’ after that.
I‘m considering setting up an appointment to discuss private IVF options. It would be quite a stretch financially, and I know we can still conceive naturally and many people do but I just don’t know if can keep going with the emotional rollercoaster of testing and tracking and negative tests and feeling like my life is on hold for another year. We also would like 2 children and I’m aware that time isn’t really on our side anymore. In the meantime everyone around me including my sister and best friend are conceiving at the drop of a hat and I feel so left behind.
Has anyone else done something similar (gone private instead of waiting for NHS)? I’m also wondering if we do 1 private cycle that’s unsuccessful would the NHS then fund a second cycle once we’ve hit the 2 year mark? Or given our ‘normal’ results do people think it’s a silly idea to pay that much money when we could get IVF for free just by waiting another year/conceive naturally in that time?