Hi,

Some of you know my story. In 2010 I was diagnosed with endometriosis, a disease that causes the same tissue as the lining of the womb to grow in places it really shouldn’t. For example I have it in my pelvis, back and on other organs. I have been on a variety of treatments over the years and several operations to help me get a better quality of life. I also have PCOS, which come with a whole host of symptoms, including not always ovulating on time.

A little under 6 months ago, I saw a new consultant who said it is now time to look at getting a hysterectomy. Whilst it won’t deal with the pain, it would help with some of the experiences I face day to day. This was a shock to me, as I am only 33, and have no living children, although I have been through a loss. I had dreamt of having children ever since I can remember, and it breaks my heart each time someone announces a pregnancy, I walk past a shop selling baby clothes, or holidays approach such as Christmas and knowing I do not have an excited child waking up in the morning.

It has been a lot to get my head around and today I went through counselling which really made me realise, I don’t want my chance of motherhood being taken away from me, if I don’t have one more try. However, due to my endometriosis etc, I need to undergo IVF in the hope of having a successful pregnancy, which my consultant doesn’t believe should be an issue.

However, sadly that whilst there is NHS funded IVF, it is a postcode lottery, for example some areas will do 3 funded rounds, others only 1, some will exclude you if you have stepchildren and so on. Sadly my partner and I do not qualify for NHS funded treatment despite myself not having children.

So our only option is to raise the funds ourselves, which under the clinic ABC, which specialises in IVF for those with endometriosis, is a cost of £4150. Whilst we have the money to support a child day to day, we do not have the funds for this in one hit, especially as I may need things like a Hycosy on top, at a cost of £450 and so forth.

We will do anything it takes to get this money together, so that we have one last chance at myself carrying my own pregnancy, and if it fails, then I will continue to have the hysterectomy, which is looking at being done next June.

I know some people may not agree with this, and I respect your opinion. Some will tell us just to adopt or foster, which is very much in our minds for when I have a hysterectomy, I would personally just like one more chance before that is fully taken away from me. Unfortunately we cannot look at surrogacy once I have my hysterectomy, as the cost is up to £20,000 for one cycle, and is something we could never fund.

Thankyou for reading my story.