Reduced cost IVF for public sector workers

If you or someone you know (a friend or member of your family) work for or previously worked in the public sector then you may want to consider joining The Benenden Healthcare Society, a mutual society which has charitable status and provides healthcare to public sector employees. Unlike private health schemes, the Society is only open to those who work in certain fields, and costs just £1.50 membership a week. Those eligible include people who work for the civil service, armed forces, post office, registered charities, BT, local authorities, in state education, for the emergency services and the NHS.

Benenden Hospital in Kent is a subsidiary of the society and has charitable trust status. It provides healthcare for members of the trust. Originally founded in 1907 to treat postal workers with TB, today it provides care for a most medical and surgical specialities including infertility. Although IVF treatment cannot be offered free, it is subsidised and members who have been with the society for six months or more qualify for IVF at reduced cost.

More to Life Day - March 2011

For anyone who has imagined that they will have a family, contemplating a future without children can seem a bleak and lonely prospect. More to Life is a charity offering help and support to anyone who is involuntarily childless, whatever their path to that point may have been. Next year will see the first ever More to Life day, with speakers, information, advice and support on hand for an afternoon in Central London. The date has been set for March 19 2011 and we are now putting together a programme of speakers. You can find out about More to Life at www.moretolife.co.uk

Callling London ACeBabes!

Did you know that there is a special group for families who had to have help to have children? ACeBabes is for anyone who has experienced fertility problems and went on to get pregnant. It provides help and support during pregnancy and for parents- and also offers a great opportunity to meet others who have had a long path to becoming parents.

I'm organising an ACeBabes picnic in Greenwich Park in August for anyone who is pregnant after fertility problems or those who have been successful and their families. Do come along and join me and my own ACeBabes - details can be found here.

Endometriosis

It's a condition that is not often discussed despite the fact that it is thought to affect 176 million women around the world. Endometriosis occurs when cells which are like the spongy womb lining grow elsewhere, usually in the pelvic cavity. It can be very painful, can lead to heavy or irregular periods and may affect fertility.

Now, the first ever global study of the impact of endometriosis on society has been carried out, and has discovered that women who have endometriosis often have such severe symptoms that it affects their work productivity. The study looked at more than a thousand women from five continents and found that the impact of endometriosis was greater than expected. It impaired life quality in many areas ranging from housework to studying and exercising.

Another alarming fact thrown up by the research was the amount of time it took to get a diagnosis - often a wait of seven years from first seeing a doctor about symptoms to being diagnosed!

It is hoped that this study will help raise awareness of endometriosis and highlight the need for research into finding better treatments - you can read more about the study at www.eshre.eu