How did you know it was time for IVF?

lilmac2929 · December 2014

Hello ladies!

My Doc is pushing the IVF route. I am not sure I am ready (and know it is a personal decision) but curious how you knew it was time (if it was a choice and not medically necessary to go IVF). I am unexplained and have had 2 IUIs. Doc is saying Gonal-F would be next IUI route but she thinks "Hey, it is really the same process, except an egg retrieval, and since IVF has better success rates, lets do that!" She also says it controls multiples much better. She makes it seem like a no-brainer.

From your BTDT perspective, anything I should consider? Anything you wish you knew? @Potatocastillo, I recall you mentioning you felt rushed and I certainly want to avoid that. I guess I just am curious for your opinions and thoughts as I weigh my options.

Thanks!!

Jodee37 · December 2014

1. I blew a tube
2. I had multiple losses already

RE actually said we could try naturally if we didn't want to do IVF and we might get pregnant but we have a greater increase of another ectopic. Which scares the shit out of me. He also said IVF would be the textbook answer if my situation was on his Medical boards. FWIW we did get pg on our own since blowing the tube and lost that baby so I said no more. IVF.

I fully support you getting totally comfortable with whatever route you choose. No regrets. I think you should try injects + IUI. Why not? Much much cheaper and less invasive and carries much less risk. I'm surprised your RE is so gung-ho "let's just do IVF sure!" That's a little alarming.

jen4ny · December 2014

I am kind of at the point you are. RE says no point in doing any more IUIs. But I have done 4 and tried injectables. I understand that the research shows no increased success rate with IUI after about 4. I would say if you are uncomfortable with the idea of IVF right now I would definitely try at least one more IUI with injectables. You will likely get a better response with injectables.

I have just started researching IVF and even though I think we are heading down this road, I still hesitate because it is a huge commitment- physically, financially, emotionally, time wise, etc.

annibes · December 2014

I can bring a slightly skewed perspective. With our issues (MFI, morpho), we should probably do IVF with ICSI which was the REs first recommendation. Our DS has autism and so we already have a higher risk of having another with autism and it has taken us over a year to even get comfortable with the idea of IUI (and we've been trying without treatment for over 4 years). We cannot justify the cost of IVF when we consider the costs of giving DS the best chance at a successful life- therapies are not cheap. So in other circumstances, we would jump at IVF- my heart wants the best possible chance at getting a baby. My brain (which I hate sometimes) wants us to make sure the one we have has all the resources he needs to live a better outcome than statistics would expect.

annibes · December 2014

So in other words, I havent BTDT, but I think I would jump at the chance. I think we don't give ourselves enough credit, maybe because the REs and their explanations make us second guess ourselves. But you know the process and procedures and a lot of what is involved. You also know your financial situation and how much you can handle- so your gut feeling might be a more solid decision than you think it is.

Good luck with your decision! It is such a hard thing to decide!

MoFree · December 2014

In our situation with severe MFI With less than 1 million motile sperm, IVF with ICSI was our only option for having our genetically related children. I was unprepared for how difficult IVF was both physically and emotionally. It consumes your life, or it did mine, with the 2x daily injections, early morning clinic visits for b/w and u/s and the s/e of meds were not pleasant. The procedure gave us our daughter so I have no regrets but I wish I had been more realistic about how I would be affected.

. Best wishes to you,

pettycrocker · December 2014

If I could go back in time, I would have done 100 IUIs before doing IVF. I think if you have gotten pregnant on your own once, you can get pregnant again. That's what the Drs call "proven fertility"

I think doing IVF is what fucked me over, I think the IVF is what did the initial damage to my tubes, even though the RE denies it- I had a kid, then had an HSG AFTER I had a kid that showed my tubes were both open, functional, and fine... I did a round of IVF and suddenly my tubes were jacked. This is just my personal thoughts and feelings on IVF, I don't want to discourage anyone, I just had 3 bad experiences with IVF and this is where I'm at now. Bitter and jaded.

I got pregnant on my own twice, and of 3 IVFs I had ONE ectopic pregnancy- therein is why I believe IVF fucked up my tubes, and they did a shitty job explaining the risk of ectopic with IVF. It's actually fairly common with IVF- 5% likely hood of ectopic, that is the highest occurrence of ectopic pregnancy.

ramble ramble ramble..... blah blah blah. This will be the shit I regret when I look back on all the things I did with my life.

lilmac2929 · December 2014

Thank you all so much for the input. @potatocastillo I am so stinking sorry you had to go through all that. @Jodee37, yeah, I think that the doc downplaying IVF is what is making me most nervous. (I was the one looking for other REs and during my "let's talk it over" meeting she pushed the IVF like "Well, it is really the same but with better success rates". I definitely feel like from you ladies that it is NOT the same and much more emotionally involved.

I truly value your input. Like Potato mentioned, I *did* get pregnant before so I see no harm in trying a couple more IUIs. Stupid unexplained infertility. Thanks ladies, you are right trust my gut. A couple more IUIs it is!!

Davie813 · December 2014

I'm glad you've made a decision! I'm late to this, but I agree that since you haven't tried iui with injectables yet, it makes sense to do so before moving on to IVF. Especially since I think you're still pretty young? Also, if you do eventually need IVF (I hope you don't!) the drs will have a better idea how you'll react to the drugs.

lilmac2929 · December 2014

Thanks @Davie813! It's always nice to be called young

It's also helpful to reconfirm that maybe a new doc is in order since we do not seem to be on the same page.

Want a personalized experience?

How did you know it was time for IVF?

Re: How did you know it was time for IVF?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards