A little overwhelmed - vasectomy reversal vs. IUI/IVF

louiseza

Hi everyone,

I can't say we are officially TTC because my husband had a vasectomy the year before he met me at age 29.  No prior marriages or kids for either of us. I am now 36 and he is 33. He changed his mind about having kids and is 100% on board. I have been worried about my ability to get pregnant since I turned 30 so I finally went to see a RE and I am doing the Clomid challenge (day 4 today) and also charting. We are hoping to find out what my fertility status is before deciding if he should get a reversal (cheapest option) or if we should just go ahead and plan on IVF with sperm aspiration. If he gets a reversal and we still need IVF, we would have to pay for 6 cycles of IUI before insurance will kick in. In the meantime, the testing is driving me nuts because they won't share my bloodwork results until my appointment and I know it's freaking my husband out that I'm suddenly baby crazy when we've been talking about getting pregnant in a year or so (after I finish grad school). I am just so terrified that the tests will show that I can't have children. I feel completely irrational and I don't know how to slow my crazy roll. I promised myself I would not bring up the baby topic again until after my appointment on April 1st when I will know the results. Also afraid that the Clomid might turn me into a blubbering mess and I'm not sure when I should take the pills - I feel like I should take a half day off work tomorrow and go home to take the pills just in case I lose my mind. Two weeks ago I was a sane human being - now I'm just a hot mess. 

PugsandKisses

Why are you on Clomid?
Is this normal prior to having a reversal?

louiseza

From what I understand, it is just to establish my fertility status/ovarian reserve. If everything looks normal, the doctor will recommend that my husband get a reversal and we try conceiving naturally. If it's borderline or worse, it may be better to get reproductive assistance right away and not spend money on the reversal if they can do sperm aspiration. 

nlswick

My DH went through the same thing, we opted for the reversal, he is 8 weeks post op and im 5 weeks along just a postive story for you, whatever you choose wishing the best for you

louiseza

Thank you for that!

LoveLucy0413

I took a round of Clomid to conceive my daughter 3 years ago and just finished a round trying for #2. Not all women have side effects from Clomid. I swear I was completely normal. Take a deep breath!
Good luck

27alex

Clomid is a very serious drug that has a lifetime of 6 cycles. It seems off to use it for testing.

I'm off to google but I'm side eyeing this doctor. You're clearly using am OB right?

louiseza

Trust me, I've been googling like crazy. It seems legit. It's called the Clomid challenge and apparently is the "gold standard" of fertility testing. I skipped the OB and went straight to a reproductive endocrinologist. 

TheBorg7of9

I've heard of it too.

louiseza

Quick update. First, thank you to everyone who contributes to the board - it's very helpful and hopefully I will be better able to contribute one day. Also started the Clomid today (100mg dose per day) for the challenge. No side effects and I actually feel much calmer than I have since my RE visit. I guess I just needed to accept the fact that I won't know anything until next week and we will figure things out no matter the outcome. I feel quite sane - I hope it lasts!