First timer looking to connect with others experiencing infertility :)

ttc23 · January 2013

Hi everyone. I'm a 28 year old from Australia who has been trying to get pregnant with my husband for 18 months. I only know two other people going through infertility and I don't get to talk to them very often so I wanted to join a forum for advice, support and connection. So far I've had blood tests, a colposcopy, ultrasounds, a lapaproscopy and dye test. The laparoscopy found moderate endometrioses which was removed. Ultrasounds and blood test have shown taht I am ovulating and my husband's sperm tests have been very good but so far we have not been able to get pregnant at all. I have a follow up appointment with our fertility specialist at the end of this month and I'm worried he is going to send us away again to keep trying or put us on Clomid despite the fact that I am ovulating (this is what a nurse said he might do). I know other people here have gone through so much more so I don't want to seem impatient but it is hard to know what is going to happen. The IUI success rates seem so low and I am wondering whether I may be able to go straight to IVF if our fertility specialist suggests IUI as the next step. I am very grateful for everything I have but I am hoping it may make the journey a bit easier knowing others are going through the same thing. I have been blogging my experiencing for over a year but I don't know if anyone has read my blog yet- it would be great to have some connection through that as well If anyone is interested it is:

https://tryingtoconceiveafamily.blogspot.com.au/

RosyGlow · January 2013

Welcome! Lots of us are going through IVF. I'm going straight to IVF myself. We are trying to avoid a genetic disorder, but I also have mild endometriosis. An IUI is not an option for us in order to do the genetic testing on the embryos that we need to do. So I'm opting straight for IVF. We may get some insurance coverage, but I am not counting on it so we are prepared to go completely out of pocket. What is it like for you in Australia - do you get insurance coverage for fertility treatments? Can you opt straight for IVF if you choose? Will the costs be covered by anything or do you simply pay out of pocket? It seems like if you can, you should be able to opt directly for IVF if you want to, but then again I'm not totally sure of your medical system there and how it works. Here, if insurance doesn't cover it, you can opt to pay out of pocket for something. I hope you find what you are looking for here - support, warmth, positivity, and lots of information. The ladies here are full of great info, ideas, and kindness. I have learned so much already in the few short weeks I have been here. Good luck!

ttc23 · January 2013

Hi RosyGlow! I'm so excited to have a reply- I've been waiting nervously in front of my laptop LOL. We are very lucky in Australia. So far with all my tests, appointments and surgery we have probably been out of pocket less than $1000 (and we don't have private health insurance- which is quite common in Australia). From what I can tell at the fertility clinic I attend IVF is about $8000-$10000 per cycle and we would be about $3000 out of pocket after government rebates. From what I have found out they typically do at least 2 IUI's before moving onto IVF but I will definitely ask at my next appointment

txcav · January 2013

Hi and Welcome. I completely understand the feeling of impatience. After only about 10 months of TTC, my DH and I had already made our first visit to the RE. After a long conversation and talking about everything from doing a surgery on my blocked tube to 6-7rounds of IUI, we told the RE we wanted to go straight to IVF. Well after more conversations with the RE we met in the middle and agreed to do one "trial" round of IUI so he could adjust the medications apropriately (using Menopur which is also used for IVF) and give us a shot of conceiving that way. If this IUI does not work we will then go to IVF. There are tons of stories of IUI not being successful on the first round, however there are a lot of stories where one shot is all it took. I am guessing the procedure is going to give everyone a different experience and outcome based on their reasons for IF, sperm count, etc. Hope this story/info helps you on your journey!

ttc23 · January 2013

Hi txcav

Thanks for your post. From memory the IUI success rates at the clinic we attend is about 16% and IVF is about 42%. I am just concerned about being on medication for a long time if we do a number of IUI cycles and then have to move to IVF anyway. Both of my friends who have gone to the same clinic say they have had laparoscopy, then Clomid (despite ovulating- which I still don't understand), then IUI and now one is onto IVF. I am so bad with the unknown so I'm looking forward to some clarity at the end of this month

dede0726 · January 2013

Welcome! I don't have an opinion one way or the other on IUI vs IVF because I had to have my tubes removed so IVF is our only option. But early on I definitely would have given IUI a shot - if nothing else but to save a boatload of money. We are complety OOP (out of pocket).

Best of luck to you!

ttc23 · January 2013

Thanks dede

Best of luck with your IVF x

Crystal120410 · January 2013

Hello and welcome. I have to say my opinion is if your paying such a small amount OOP for IVF that's what I would do. The success rates are so much better and your getting a lot of government funding. I also wouldn't worry about being on meds for to long. Some ladies do fertility treatment for 5+ years, the meds after all are hormones not something foreign to the body. Your body will let you know when you need a break. Good luck.

ttc23 · January 2013

Thanks Crystal- I suppose I'm just worried because I experienced some bad side effects from the contraceptive pill when I was younger- which is based on hormones as well. The more I hear from others though the more reassured I am

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