Lesbian couple refused NHS IVF referral unless they could ‘prove they were trying’ for two years
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A lesbian couple in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, Maz and Steph Davis-Hyde, recently shared their struggle with the NHS IVF referral process. The couple, who decided to start a family in 2016 after getting married and buying their first home, were informed that they needed to “try” for pregnancy consecutively for two years each before being considered for fertility treatment on the NHS.
This requirement posed a significant challenge for queer couples like Maz and Steph, who cannot naturally conceive without assisted medical intervention, such as artificial insemination. The NHS policy dictates that women in same-sex relationships must undergo 12 cycles of artificial insemination to qualify as having completed “two years of unprotected intercourse” before being referred for specialist fertility treatment.
Maz expressed her frustration with the lack of clarity on how they were supposed to prove they were trying. She explained that Steph was not comfortable with being pregnant, and she herself faced challenges due to having Polycystic Ovaries, making the chances of natural conception slim. This situation left the couple with no choice but to explore private fertility treatment options.
Opting for private treatment, Maz and Steph began their IVF journey in 2018 with financial support from Maz’s father. Despite the financial burden, they found some relief in an IVF refund program offered by Access Fertility, which provided up to a 100% refund if the treatment did not result in pregnancy. The couple chose a 3-cycle refund program with a 70% refund, giving them financial peace of mind as they embarked on their journey to parenthood.
Their first pregnancy experience, however, was marred by difficulties. Maz fell pregnant with a blighted ovum, resulting in an incomplete miscarriage that required medical intervention. Despite the emotional toll, the couple persevered and eventually welcomed their first child, Kodi, who is now five years old.
Following Kodi’s birth, Maz and Steph decided to expand their family and underwent another round of IVF. Surprisingly, they conceived their second child, Oakley, on the first attempt. Despite the challenges they faced in accessing NHS-funded IVF treatment, the couple praised the care they received during both pregnancies and labors.
In response to their experience, a representative from Gloucestershire NHS emphasized the importance of meeting eligibility criteria for assisted conception services while acknowledging the desire of couples to start families and become parents. The NHS-funded services are available to couples, including women in same-sex partnerships, who meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the NHS policy.
While Maz and Steph were unable to access IVF treatment through the NHS due to stringent eligibility criteria, they expressed gratitude for the care they received during their pregnancies. The couple’s journey highlights the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ couples in accessing fertility treatment and underscores the need for more inclusive policies within the healthcare system.
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NHS IVF referral
