Im not saying that they should not be funded by the nhs, well i am but thats my opinion but i am not saying it should be implimented. If a women had made an informed choice no to TTC her first child untill she is 45 what do we put the upper age limit as? We then get women having her first child in her 50's/60's? paid by the nhs.

Well, I disagree.

I agree with you that there has to be some kind of limit - for the health of mother and child and weighing up the cost of the treatment with the likelihood of it working I suppose. What that age limit is, I have no idea.
I do think being in your late 40s/early 50s would be difficult as your body would be more vulnerable and you would be in your 70s when the baby reaches their 20s. I think most people would agree that late 40s/early 50s would probably not get funded on the NHS unless under extremely special circumstances. However, I recon that most people who go for IVF in their late 40s probably have funded it themselves and gone private and are therefore not a burden on the NHS.

I do think though late 30s/early-mid 40s candidates, should get a chance on the NHS if they struggle concieving naturally. I don't think millions of women would be doing it, so I don't think it would necessarily put a massive burden on the NHS. Like someone else posted, these women who have worked into their mid/late 30s have made a hell of a lot of tax contributions to this country and that is what helps to fund the NHS. What about the financial burden of people who are unemployed and have no intention of getting a job (I am not talking of those who are on the dole who actually are trying to get a job, that is different) and who have loads of children and claim off the state - that is more of a financial burden on the UK, in my opinion. I am a teacher and I have heard some pupils say that they have no intention of getting jobs, but are just going to go and claim the dole and have some kids to get a council flat (maybe an extreme situation in the country in general, but in the area I teach, it is sadly not uncommon).

I think my problem with some of the comments, have been people making judgements on older women (i.e 35 plus) women who are TTC as being people who have 'left it too late' because of wanting to have a big career or who have wanted to party. My point is, how do we know that that is their reason?

Lets not turn this into a benefits debate again >.< And anyway, I work and pay taxes and I had my child before my body said no to children.

I agree with those that have said older women should still have the chance of fertility treatment on the NHS regardless of their reason for waiting. I'm already into my 30s and hopefully won't need any help but I'd hate to think I could be penalised because I chose not to have children until I was ready!!

Out of interest the NHS eligibility for IVF is women aged between 25 - 39 but individual authorities can make their own decisions, it's not recommended over age 42 due to low chances of success.

I was actually making a general point about people's criticism of older mums getting IVF, I was not referring to any individual member's situation young or old. I don't know anybody's financial/educational/life circumstances on Baby and Bump - who pays taxes and who doesn't - and even if I did, I would never ever criticise a member.

I was also not wishing to get into a benefit debate Blah, I was actually responding to other members' comments about people's taxes funding older mums trying to get funding on the NHS (hmm, benefits debate of sort) and how the money would be better served helping young mothers who needed IVF (I didn't realise it was an either or situation with IVF and the NHS) and coming out in support of another poster's comments about people paying tax and being entitled to support. Obviously, as I have posted above, I realise it is within reason when it comes to fertility help.

My comment about people not paying taxes was actually put in as a point of comparison - as members of the UK, we are all entitled to help when we need it from the NHS. However, if people didn't want a benefit debate, comments about whether or not people should be entitled to help should not have been made...who are we to decide who is worthy and who is not, we don't know anyone's personal circumstances. Just my own personal opinion, I am not trying to sway anyone's view. Just found this debate quite interesting.

I think the system works well in the NHS, I work in Women and childrens health and believe that the age limits in place are both fair and work well.

I have quite the opposite effect from my family when I talk about TTC they all think it's 'good' and maybe even the trend to wait until I'm in my thirties as 'that's what everyone is doing these days' I completely disagree and think that should I choose to have my children now (I will be almost 24 when we TTC) then that's my choice. Everyone says to me don't you want to get well established in your career first and wait until your thirties, but I think it'll be harder for me to take a career break later on when I have my children! It really annoys me when people criticise us women for either having children early or waiting a bit as I think it's a personal decision and people will do it when they feel it's right or when circumstances permit

I do find it a little harsh that the papers are always going on about how women are leaving it 'too late'. Either by choice or not by choice.
I will be trying for my first this year and I will be 22, but I have waited until I have everything I need (a house, a job, a long term relationship) however if it wasn't for my mother I probably wouldn't be able to afford this house with my partner and if I hadn't met him at the time I did I probably wouldn't be in this position and would have been waiting for years to get onto the property ladder. Maybe if the govenment made things a little bit more affordable and the cost of living wasn't so high then maybe some wouldn't have to wait so damn long.
For those that choose to wait by choice, we are all different, for me I feel ready at 22 but for others then may want to travel, get a career, enjoy life, or may not just 'feel' ready until their later years, thats entirely up to them. This world is too prejudice in general and it makes me sad as regardless we are all equals.

I personally wish good luck to all future mothers who wish to try, be it in their 20's or 50's.

Here here!!

I am also 22 and have got my job, my long term relationship with my amazing other half and we have just bought our first house together. I totally agree with what you say about the government not making it particularly easy for people. We are going to TTC July 2011 and people are saying we are mad but at the end of the day we want to and are in a position where we can so why shouldn't we?

I think too much pressure is placed on women in general, we all make individual life choices and we always are trying to do it for the best (both for us, our partners and children/future children).