For those who have done IVF...

laurens1122 · January 2010

Can someone explain to me the process with being on BCP before IVF?

We met with the IVF coordinator in December after my Lap and since we were giving this month our last shot before moving to IVF, I asked what to if my period comes. Well the *** is pretty much here! I think she said something about starting BCP once she comes so that we can move on to IVF in March. I'm just so hopeful we can somehow still get pg naturally, although it's such a long shot so I'm hoping maybe we can try for one more month.

Do you think there is anyway we could get one more month of "trying naturally" before I have to start the BCP's? I just don't know how it works with BCP and timing for IVF. Do you have to be on BCP for a full month before you start IVF? I know that they start their cycle on March 8th.

yodasmistress · January 2010

If your IVF protocol involves BCP then that means your "cycle" really lasts 2 months. So, if you want to TTC naturally this month, then your ER won't be until April-ish.

Mrs.Johns · January 2010

I was on it for a pack + a few days. If you are doing long lupron then you are on bcps for 3+ weeks, start lupron on day 21ish, get your period and then start stims when they say. You might want to call and ask because it will probably depend on what your protocol is for your cycle.

XXXXX222 · January 2010

I was on BCP for 10 days before our fresh IVF, starting on the second or third day of my period. After stopping the pills, it took maybe three days to bleed, and I went in for ultrasound and started stims on day 2 of that bleeding. (ETA: I was on antagonist protocol.) But as Yoda said, many times they'll have you take a whole pack, depending on your doc's recommendation or if they want to time your cycle to start near a certain date.

If you want to do another natural cycle, and you're not ready for IVF, don't be afraid to speak up! It's your body and you and your husband get to make the decision on when you're ready.

Best of luck!

nikinikinine · January 2010

Every thing Yoda and Mrs.Johns said is absolutely correct.

I was on Long Lupron (sometimes called Luteal Lupron) and yesterday was my first beta, I was on day 59 of my cycle. And I didn't even stim for as long as they wanted me to.

That said, if you still want to try one cycle naturally, then I would say that's a pretty good indicator that you are not ready for IVF.

IVF is a very long, very hard process. It's emotionally and physically taxing. It's a strain on your body, your time, your finances and sometimes your marriage. I would not recommend to anyone that they rush into IVF before they are ready. So even though your ideal time frame is April or whatever, you may need to adjust that to make sure you are fully ready for this experience.

laurens1122 · January 2010

Ok so I guess my first question when I speak to the coordinator will be to find out what kind of protocol I'll be on? Then go from there.

I'm just so unsure of what to do b/c my RE thinks it's very unlikely we can get pg because of the damage to both of my tubes. Plus my risk for Ectopic is very high. So, even though I would like another shot I know my chances are very low to get pg naturally. My H and I are so ready for IVF! We want to start ASAP so it sounds like we won't be able to try another month. I really don't want to wait until April if we don't have to. We have been waiting for IVF for about 7 months b/c my H's insurance covers up to $25,000 but I can't get on it until Feb when open enrollment starts.

Can I ask opinions from you ladies about what you would do? Postpone IVF to try one more month or jump right into IVF?

yodasmistress · January 2010

laurens1122:
Can I ask opinions from you ladies about what you would do? Postpone IVF to try one more month or jump right into IVF?

We waited MUCH longer than "average" to start IVF - 3 years. This was for a lot of reasons: money, health of my husband, mental "readiness", etc. I will say that for pretty much that whole 3 years, we never stopped "trying" and hoping for a pregnancy. By the time we got to IVF, I was 100% confident in our decision to move forward and that a "natural conception" wasn't in the cards for us.

IVF is (obviously) very financially, physically and emotionally taxing. You and your partner both need to be 100% on board with your decision. You don't want to look back and think "maybe if we had tried just a little bit longer, we might have gotten pg without IVF...

Mrs.Johns · January 2010

laurens1122:

Can I ask opinions from you ladies about what you would do? Postpone IVF to try one more month or jump right into IVF?

Lauren, either you are ready for it or you are not. There is nothing wrong with not being ready. Like Nikki said it is a very taxing experience and you have to be ready to deal with it and all that comes with it. In the grand scheme of things, a month isn't that long, especially if you aren't fully ready to jump in. You have to do what is right for you and your DH. I'm sorry I can't give more guidance than that, but it really would just not be fair to you.

laurens1122 · January 2010

Thank you so much for your advice Mrs Johns and Yoda!

We have been talking to our RE and of course with each other about this since our first appointment last April. Because of my background with colon cancer and the state of my uterus from my surgery, we would have started right with IVF last summer. We have tried with TI and monitoring since then because we couldn't start IVF until March without being on my H's insurance. Because I have damage to the tubes and questionable egg quality from the chemo, IVF is our only option.

Your advice has been very helpful! We are both totally ready for this but it's that shimmer of hope that one day it could happen naturally that I'll never let go of. Sometimes it's hard to accept the truth though that IVF is your only option.

njohnson1972 · January 2010

I didn't have time to wait. I am almost 38 with DOR, so my situation is different. Our Dx had us jumping feet first into IVF.

That being said, it has been draining. Luckily, I have a good support system around me that makes the tough moments easier.

Good luck with your decision.

GenRN45 · January 2010

if you can't get on your DH's insurance until february, you might not be able to cycle until april anyway. There's a good likelihood that the cycle will have to be preapproved by the insurance company, in which case, you likely wouldn't be able to get all the approvals you need in time to cycle for march.

Just an FYI. Do you have an insurance coordinator you can speak with at your RE's office?

laurens1122 · January 2010

Yes I've been talking to them about H's insurance for a few months. They are very familar with his plan. I have also gotten info from his HR dept about what is covered with his coverage for IF. My dr has also written very detailed notes regarding my surgeries and the need for IVF. When I met with the IVF coordinator last month she explained that it would be a tight squeeze but the think starting in March on the 12th, not the 8th like a thought, is doable. The only thing that might be tough is they require you to try IUI. But since both of my tubes are damaged, it wouldn't make any sense to try an IUI and risk another EP. My RE told me that he is ready to fight the insurance company if he has to and the coordinator said this has happened before and what happens is the RE and the medical director at the office will both get on the phone to speak with the insurance company to fight for me going straight to IVF. If we have to wait until April then that's ok, I can definitely handle waiting another month.

GenRN45 · January 2010

yes - that kind of stuff happens with insurance companies all the time. But it doesn't happen quickly. We almost missed our deadline for when we would have to start, because of those exact hassles with our insurance company.

Just as long as you're prepared for the delay. It's very likely that they will take their time returning phone calls, etc... as is what happened with my insurance company. My RE had to fight for us to skip IUI too.

njdcgirl · January 2010

yodasmistress:

laurens1122:
Can I ask opinions from you ladies about what you would do? Postpone IVF to try one more month or jump right into IVF?

We waited MUCH longer than "average" to start IVF - 3 years. This was for a lot of reasons: money, health of my husband, mental "readiness", etc. I will say that for pretty much that whole 3 years, we never stopped "trying" and hoping for a pregnancy. By the time we got to IVF, I was 100% confident in our decision to move forward and that a "natural conception" wasn't in the cards for us.

IVF is (obviously) very financially, physically and emotionally taxing. You and your partner both need to be 100% on board with your decision. You don't want to look back and think "maybe if we had tried just a little bit longer, we might have gotten pg without IVF...

Honestly, I don't think I would ever have looked back and wondered about trying longer naturally. Maybe it is b/c I am AMA (37), but I jumped right into the best chances (IVF) after only 1 failed IUI - and 1 1/2 years TTC under my belt. If you get pregnant, I don't think you will have regrets about going onto IVF, and with your DX, it sounds like it even could be dangerous for you to try naturally b/c of your tube damage.

Good luck - I hope all the insurance stuff works out. It sounds like you have your ducks in a row and have been thinking about this for awhile. I hope it works out for you!

*Willis* · January 2010

Ditto what the other ladies said.

I also wanted to add that while I think IVF is your best shot, you need to be on board with it. I'm in the middle of my first IVF, and I'm so surprised at how intense it is. And I've been with my doctor for 19 months and I've done about 8 treatment cycles, including 3 full injectables. It takes a physical and emotional toll. If you aren't ready for it, that's ok. And while I'm sure lots of women always secretly hope for a surprise BFP, it sounds like you still have a lot of eggs in that basket. And that worries me.

yodasmistress · January 2010

laurens1122:
Sometimes it's hard to accept the truth though that IVF is your only option.

This is very true! You're literally letting go of a dream, a vision, of how your family will be created. It's hard.

laurens1122 · January 2010

*Willis*:
Ditto what the other ladies said.

I also wanted to add that while I think IVF is your best shot, you need to be on board with it. I'm in the middle of my first IVF, and I'm so surprised at how intense it is. And I've been with my doctor for 19 months and I've done about 8 treatment cycles, including 3 full injectables. It takes a physical and emotional toll. If you aren't ready for it, that's ok. And while I'm sure lots of women always secretly hope for a surprise BFP, it sounds like you still have a lot of eggs in that basket. And that worries me.

The reason I still have hopes is because I did get pg in June but it was EP. So I know I CAN get pg but it's just a matter of where it would end up. After my lap last month by Dr was very hesitant to allow us to try naturally at all because of the risk of another EP. The only reason he allowed it is because I would be monitored very closely if I did get a BFP. I am a very optimistic person and I believe that miracles can happen. I'm also a very realistic person so I know my risk for an EP is high. According to my dr, after he got a good look during the lap, natural pg is highly unlikely. So although I'll always hope for a miracle, I have realized this is our only option. So it might appear I have all my eggs in that basket for conceiving naturally, but it's just my optimism coming out.

I am also very open with my IF with almost all of my friends, family and co workers so they have been awesome support people. My H is totally a hundred percent on board and I even see a therapist every other week where we talk a lot about IVF and how I feel about it. It has left me feeling defeated and disappointed in my body but I know I can handle this. Hell, I beat cancer! If I can do that and come out on the other side then I know I can handle IVF. Smile Thank you all for really making me think about all the different aspects of IVF.

laurens1122 · January 2010

yodasmistress:
laurens1122:
Sometimes it's hard to accept the truth though that IVF is your only option.
This is very true! You're literally letting go of a dream, a vision, of how your family will be created. It's hard.

Yes that's exactly it! I'm so glad to meet you ladies who understand what it's like going through this.

AimeeL85 · January 2010

We are doing IVF in March and I am starting my BCP a week from today, give or take a day possibly. Our retrieval and transfer are in early March, but even if yours was later in the month I would think you'd need to start BCP within the next couple weeks.

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