On Thursday 19th January 2017, MPs will be debating whether IVF should continue to be provided by the NHS.

While this is a good opportunity to highlight the plight of those experiencing infertility and to highlight some of the injustices that exist around accessing fertility treatment (e.g. the postcode lottery) I find it incredibly frustrating that such a vital service could be removed from the NHS in the near future.

A Facebook group has been set up by MP Steve McCabe for the public to express their views on this matter, which you can access via this link. I strongly encourage those of you living in the UK to contribute to this if you feel able to, whether you have been directly affected by infertility or not. (A word to the wise though- LOADS of my Facebook friends ‘liked’ my post, so it’s not the most private method of airing your views on this topic!)

One day I will snap.

Personally, I’m so angry about this! Women with endometriosis are high users of IVF, since the disease is one of the leading causes of infertility in women, and so as a community we stand to loose so much if these services are decommissioned. This breaks my heart as I feel that we endosisters have suffered enough already and do not need or deserve the added stress of being unable to access fertility help.

As some of you may also know, 2017 is the year that I am hoping to access fertility treatment, so WHY THE HELL IS IT GOING TO BE DECOMMISSIONED NOW?! I’m not the type to be prone towards paranoia but it does feel a little bit like the world hates me.

There are also some sinister undertones to this debate that I think are really ugly. Like  how infertility is only the result of ‘lifestyle choices’ and that it’s just tough luck to those that experience it. We need to challenge such thinking NOW, because if IVF is decommissioned on the NHS it’s very unlikely that it will be reinstated.

I uploaded the following comment to the Facebook page:

I could have written more, but I started loosing the will to live to be honest with you. I am sure this will turn out to be a frivolous exercise, but it still feels good to publicly air my frustrations and contribute in my own small way to the debate.

I have also emailed my local MP Sir Oliver Heald to ask for his support in this matter, but looking at his profile (rich, white Conservative, old) and his voting record I’m not going to hold my breath that he is going to be a champion of women’s (health) rights. I would certainly encourage you all to contact your own MPs ASAP too though.

What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think IVF should be covered fully or partially by the NHS, or do you think it is a luxury that should be funded privately? How will it affect you if this service was taken away? I’m also interested to hear from all you endosisters outside of the UK about your experiences of accessing and funding fertility treatment.

Take care all, I know this is an emotive subject and I only wish luck and happiness to each of you.

Love,
Claire
xxx