Back to back or breaks?

Kelley421

I'm curious if anyone has a preference (and why) on treatment cycles in a row, or do you feel it's better to break between each one?

I have not done med treatment in consecutive cycles and I am considering not breaking between the next two. (Always hoping I don't make it to that 4th and last IUI, but I can't help to plan ahead for $ and summery reasons) Any pros or cons to jumping right back in after a failed cycle?

CTinNV

Hi @Kelley421! I am doing three back-to-back cycles. But I will say that "back-to-back" has about 6 to 7 weeks in between. My RE office does about 7 IVF cycles per year, so it's not like I'm going literally three months in a row. My three cycles will have started in very late January and go through the first week of June. 

I am doing back-to-back because of egg quality issues and the fact that I'm only getting older. My first IVF cycle was a total bust (see sig), but #2 was better. I hope for an even better result for #3. My RE is building knowledge about how my body responds over each cycle and we're working to batch quality blasts for PGD/AS testing after the 3rd cycle.

I hope this helps and that your last IUI results in a beautiful DS or DD. GL! 

fuzzbumble

I always did IUI back to back, and am doing my 2nd IVF as soon as I could after my first IVF miscarried.  For some reason I didn't respond well to stims, and the eggs we did get weren't good.  So I wanted to get going before they get any more messed up in there.  

I think there can be benefits to letting your body rest after cycling, but It is soooo hard to wait.  

spfclr

I haven't been able to do btb since I had a cp and then had side effects of clomid and the doctor wanted to meet with me before moving to femera. 

BUT I had been planning and would have loved to move through these treatments more quickly.  Ideally I'd end treatment because of a good pregnancy, but if it's not going to work out I would like to move on for emotional reasons.  My doctor didn't see drawbacks to btb so I am still on board for that if I can ever make that happen .

Davie813

I did 3 IUIs and one IVF back to back, although I did sit out a month with cysts.  After having an early miscarriage with IUI #3, and a BFN with the IVF, though, I just really, really needed a break from needles and monitoring and thinking about my uterus all the time, so I took two months off before IVF #2.  I just turned 41, so time is really ticking in my case, but my baseline FSH and follicle count actually improved after the time off, and the cycle seems to be going well so far (I'll know more after I get my fert report today).  Good luck with whatever you decide!

Reagan1010

So far I have had 2 IUIs, IVF and I just am starting a FET cycle. They have all been back to back. My IVF and FET cycle all start with 3 weeks of active bc, so it does add time in there. If this FET doesn't work, we will be taking a break. DH and I both need a mental and physical break from it.

Kelley421

Thanks for the responses!

I think I'll plan for the back to back- if #3 fails. My RE says he generally moves on after 4 failed IUIs. We are not planning IVF, so the 4th would be our last treatment.  It is (I know you all know, most better than I do) so wearing to continue TTC, and plan financially, and have such high hopes that just get crushed. I would like to do these next 1-2, and if they fail, perhaps I can move on with life instead of being stuck in this infertility hell.

pettycrocker

I did about 700 consecutive Clomid/ TI  cycles, I took breaks between IUIs and IVFs 

1983Lindsey2

I did 6 cycles of meds or meds with IUIs back to back, but did take a break after #5 due to a 50mm cyst on my right ovary.