Couples could have increased access to IVF if new guidelines are taken up

Guidelines from the NHS watchdog due out this week are likely to recommend all women under the age of 40 be granted up to three free IVF cycles.

Earlier estimates put the cost of this at �400 million, but a report by MPs says it would be closer to �50 million.

However it's predicted Health Secretary John Reid will over-rule and only allow couples to get one free IVF cycle.

Infertility lobby groups have criticised this saying only one quarter of couples conceive on their first cycle.

Postcode lottery

The National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) was asked to formulate guidelines in 2000 by then secretary of state for health Alan Milburn.

The Department of Health said its objective was to "ensure couples received faster and fairer access to fertility treatments."

Currently, a couple's access to IVF depends on what their local healthcare provider can offer.

Chair of the All Parliamentary Report on Infertility (APPGI) Dr Kevin Barron (MP for Rother Valley) said the current situation is "unacceptable to MPs whose constituents find they are unable to have the treatments they require, which adds extra stress at an already traumatic time."

Less embryos

Previously the cost of transferring all IVF costs over to the NHS were estimated to be �400 million, based on each cycle costing around �2,700.

However the APPGI report suggests the cost would almost be one tenth of this at around �50 million.

It is a disease, it's not something that should be sidelined to private treatment Phil Taylor, Infertility Network UK

They propose costs be cut by reducing the number of embryos implanted in each cycle, therefore reducing the risk of multiple births.

Multiple births can cost up to three times more than having a single birth.

The report said costs could also be cut by streamlining the system and ensuring thepatients see the right specialist.

Phil Taylor, campaigner for the Infertility Network UK and father of two IVF children says infertility should be treated as a disease.

Phil and his wife had to wait almost three years before receiving IVF treatment, but were eventually able to conceive on their third cycle.

"It is a disease, it's not something that should be sidelined to private treatment," he told BBC Five Live.

The NICE guidelines have received criticism from people who say the money would be better spent on cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.