I am 37 years old and I have been trying for a baby for three years. I was considering going to my GP to ask for referral for IVF treatment but I don't know now whether it would be worthwhile. I am 5 ft 4 and weigh 16 stone so I calculate my BMI to be 38.5. Do you think I will be refused treatment, and if so what can I do about this?
The item to which you refer, was reporting upon the British Fertility Society's (BFS) recommendations for changes to standardise treatment for IVF.
There has been long held criticism against the NHS for IVF treatment being a "postcode lottery". The recommendations are an attempt to ensure that all women are treated equally across the country.
Presently NHS guidelines do not ban treatment on overweight women but recommend they should be warned of the health risks. The reality according to a poll which is to be published in the Human Fertility Journal in September, shows that all manner of factors were being taken into account in assessing women for treatment and this was seen to be unfair.
The recommendations from the BFS included the following: all clinics should operate under the same rules, women aged over 40 should not receive treatment, smokers should not be barred from treatment and very obese women should not be eligible for IVF.
Very obese were seen to be those women with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 36. If you are 5 ft 4, this would mean you must not exceed 15 stone in order to be treated.
Please be aware however that these recommendations are not in force at present. It would be advisable to raise your concerns with your GP. If you consider you have been unfairly treated however, you must take advice from a solicitor experienced in clinical matters.
