State-of-the-art fertility centre opens doors to the public
Raising a child in the UK costs between £160k and £193k, according to the Child Poverty Action Group (CAPG). But for one in six people in the UK, the costs can start before the baby is conceived, with costly rounds of fertility treatment and IVF.
And same-sex couples and single women - who aren’t automatically eligible for NHS-funded IVF – often don’t realise that they might not need IVF – as there is still a taboo around childlessness.
NUH Life – a state-of-the-art fertility centre housed at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre which offers NHS-funded and self-funded fertility tests and treatments – is hosting a free open evening for people to explore what options may be open to them.
“Single women and those in same-sex relationships are not infertile, they just need sperm,” said Karen Pooley, Andrology Lead at NUH Life. “Unless there is a specific medical reason why a single woman or a lesbian couple need IVF, insemination, using donor sperm, is much cheaper, much less invasive, and less medically risky than IVF treatment,” added Karen.
NHS-funded treatment is restricted to people who are non-smokers and are not over or underweight and:
- have no children together or from previous partners
- the female partner is under 40 ( or under 43 for IVF)
For single women or same-sex couples, NHS-funded treatment is available only after six negative cycles of self-funded donor insemination (DI) treatment.
NUH Life has a 26% success rate, compared the national 17%, creating 57 babies last year.
“We are on a mission to raise awareness of what we do,” said Victoria Ryder, clinical scientist and Quality Manager, “both within and outside of the Trust – because we are really good at it. And what we offer is special - and not-for-profit - and helps make the NHS more resilient.”
Expert fertility doctors, nurses, counsellors and andrologists will be on hand during the open evening to answer questions, and clinic and lab tours will be available.
“There are people feeling lost in the system and not sure where to go,” said Karen “GPs aren’t always aware they can refer people to us.”
In 2005 regulations changed so donation was no longer completely anonymous. Last October first cohort of donor-conceived children turned 18. This, and the rise in online DNA testing – which have become popular as a ‘gift’, has put the spotlight on donors.
NUH Life has around 40 donors - all living in the East Midlands, and screened and counselled before being accepted. They are registered with the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA), the government regulator, which licenses centres and carries out regular inspections.
“We don’t want to take donors who are going to regret it. We want people who are fully on board – the donors and their partners,” said Victoria.
“We are creating families here,” said Karen. “This isn’t just about the donor. It’s about their partner, their family, their future children, the recipients and their offspring. Donors donate with the best intention so need to consider the long-term consequences.
“We don’t create these children then leave them on their own – we support them throughout life –we really care and we’re proud of that.”
When it comes to choosing a donor, people tend to ask for a bit more than tall, dark and handsome.
“It’s a massive decision. They say what they are interested in – perhaps someone who looks like their partner, or has a specific eye colour, they might want academic or sporty – sometimes they just want to know that they’re a nice person.
“We know our donors on a personal, professional level, so we can advise. And each donor submits a pen portrait, about themselves, their families, and what being a donor means to them.”
NUH Life also stores sperm and eggs from patients having treatment that could potentially make them sterile, such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy or gender transition.
“The fact that you can have self-funded treatment in the NHS is something we want people to be aware of,” said Victoria. “Even if you are not eligible for NHS treatment, come along to our open evening and we can go through your options.”
The open evening is on Thursday 27 June, 5pm-7pm, at NUH Life, A floor, West Block, at the QMC. Register your place here: https://forms.office.com/e/vmsAykGQ3b