Talking to friends about this today. So on the NHS you can have three free rounds , unless one of you has a child (say from another marriage or relationship). Do you think this is fair?

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Accepted Answer

Not really. It seems like only when both partners have children already there should be an exclusion. 35 also seems like a young cutoff age. 
However, looking at this as an American, anything being funded is mind blowing. It’s so much better than our policy of telling people they should just consider being rich.

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Absolutely.  Those who don’t have children at all, should take priority over those who do.  Funding isn’t unlimited, so they have to make choices on who does and does not qualify.

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I think saying if one person has a child you get nothing is kind of unfair and 35 is a young cut off. Most people who need ivf are older than that, at least in the US. I don’t know what it’s like in the UK. But like the other poster said, as someone from the US, covering anything is a huge step in the right direction.

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Yes it is absolutely fair. The NHS is already struggling because it is underfunded, the service could easily decide that they don’t want to cover things that aren’t completely necessary such as having children, and it’s amazing that they do. The reason they have these guidelines is because smoking, being overweight, being over a certain age etc may prevent it from working and they want to give it their best shot since they are paying for it. I also think it makes sense to prioritise people who have no children over those who do. If somebody doesn’t fit in the criteria they don’t have to go through the NHS to get it, they can get private health care and pay for it themselves.

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I don’t think the government has any business dictating what people do with their bodies.

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I was offering 3 rounds on the NHS luckily and I really do agree with the criteria. While we were getting ready to start ivf, I really started looking after my weight and my some miracle we conceived naturally 4 weeks before starting. Yes the no child rule seems harsh but the NHS is already struggling and someone would always complain if they picked a number of children a couple can have.

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I don’t think anyone should be denied the opportunity to be a biological parent purely cause their partner already is. I think that is really unfair. 
One parent is then denied the opportunity to be called mum/dad and to feel that unique bond with their child due. 
Why should one person who is having difficulty conceiving be punished because their partner didn’t have the same difficulties.

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Some aspects, yes. Others no. I don't think it's right to offer less or none at all to someone who has a child whether it be from a previous marriage or with the person they're trying to conceive with. It should be offered equally. Just because a person has one child, doesn't mean they're guaranteed to have another easily. I also do not agree with 35 as the cut off, if anything, at 35 and up, they're likely to need the most help. Healthy weight I'm on the fence about because BMI is so scued, I'm definitely not a healthy weight, but someone else who may be the same height as me and maybe 20 pounds less and works out and is healthy as a horse could be denied because they'd be considered overweight based off a stupid chart. Smoking, definitely agree with that one.

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It's harsh but I think it is fair.
My father and step mum had to self fund for IVF for my beautiful little sister.
Not all trusts fund a total of 3 cycles either. Some don't fund at all, regardless of circumstances - which I disagree with.
And my trust only fund 2 cycles.

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This is so cool, coming from an american. I'm only 21 and have had FOUR miscarriages after 3 years of trying, would love this opportunity but I do this the cutt off age is a little young as my mom still wanted/had kids in her 40s

Talking to friends about this today. So on the NHS you can have three free rounds , unless one of you has a child (say from another marriage or relationship). Do you think this is fair?

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