So I just had my WTF appointment (phone call actually) with my RE, and I'm not sure whether to go ahead this cycle.
My husband and I were both hoping to sit it out and try again with the next round of IVFs at my clinic. My reasoning is that I'm just not in a very good place to cycle right now. My health and habits are terrible; I just learned this morning (thanks, @Frenchteachermama! ) that I actually weigh waaaay more than I did when I was pregnant; I'm exhausted; I'm stressed; work is a nightmare at this time of year and missing it isn't going to help...etc, etc...I think addressing some of this stuff, and giving my body a break, might actually help.
The RE is OKish with that (she can't stop me, obviously), but doesn't recommend it. She thinks hormones fluctuate enough at my age that I'll never know when I may have to cancel a cycle, so wasting one is a bad idea. And of course the clock is ticking. I turn 41 in March. My bloodwork seems pretty stable, however.
I know most of you aren't as AMA as I am, but what would you do, take a break or get on with it?
*****Signature/Ticker Warning******
Me: 41, DH: 45 DD, 6/15/2013 TTC #2 beginning January 2014 AMH 1.05; FSH range 7-11
UGH...tough choice. I feel like everything in IF is so "OMG THE WORLD IS GOING TO END IF I DON'T DO SOMETHING THIS CYCLE".....Every cycle since this time last year I've been bitchy and pissy if I can't TTC. And in the end all of them ended in BFNs anyway. I guess what I'm trying to say is taking one or two months off (or even just to try on your own) isn't going to be the end of the world. I get what your doctor is saying but I also think being physically and mentally prepared for another round of IVF is just as big of a deal.
IVF #1, Stimmed for 12 days, ER 8/22/14, 9 retrieved, 7M, 7F!! Freeze all due to fluid in uterus.
FET end of October 2014 cancelled due to fluid in uterus due to possible c-scar defect
Surgery scheduled 12/12/14 to fix possible isthmocele
3/26/15 transferred one 8 cell grade 4 embryo and one 6 cell grade 3 embryo = slow rising betas for 2+ weeks = ectopic MTX shot 4/29/15
Repeat c-scar surgery June 2015
2nd and last IVF cycle August 2015, stimmed for 12 days, 2 egg retrieved, both mature and both fertilized. Transferred both 8-cell embryos on Day 3, beta 9/5/15 = BFFN
Such a tough question. I have done this for two cycles (along with look for new RE) and i will say I m feeling much better! I guess if you were it would be best if you had a good plan and commitment. I say that not preachy because I wish I did as I was a little all over the place. Like I wish I meal planned and shopped and set real apptments (with child care or during naps) for exercising etc.
I nothing else, the mental break for stress if you know work is nuts now may help. I cant answer or you, but I'd take the break
I would 100% take a break. IVF is fucking hard enough, you have to be able to to mentally/emotionally/physically give it your ALL, and remain positive. If your instinct is telling you, you need to time to prepare for another round, then I say take as much time as you need. The worst thing is, you push yourself to cycle now, it doesn't work, and you kick yourself for pushing yourself to do it when you know you didn't feel ready.
Spontaneous pregnancy #1 DD1 July 31, 2011
Trying for #2 since Oct 11
732973 Clomid Cycles
2 IUIs
3 Fresh IVFs= 1 Ectopic treated with MTX Spontaneous pregnancy #2= Ectopic #2= lost left tube Spontaneous pregnancy #3= DD2 January 29, 2016 Spontaneous pregnancy #4= Ectopic #3 Spontaneous pregnancy #5= Baby #3 is a BOY!!!
Do you have an option to do a freeze all cycle? Maybe you can just stim/ retrieve and then transfer when you are feeling a little more "ready" Idk if that is an option for you?
Spontaneous pregnancy #1 DD1 July 31, 2011
Trying for #2 since Oct 11
732973 Clomid Cycles
2 IUIs
3 Fresh IVFs= 1 Ectopic treated with MTX Spontaneous pregnancy #2= Ectopic #2= lost left tube Spontaneous pregnancy #3= DD2 January 29, 2016 Spontaneous pregnancy #4= Ectopic #3 Spontaneous pregnancy #5= Baby #3 is a BOY!!!
I would lean towards taking a break too. We were forced to take a break this cycle waiting for polyp removal- and then I got sick and we didn't even try the natural way. I have to say that it was liberating and so much less stressful to be thinking about when we had to TTC and analyzing every symptom I felt. I am kind of glad that next cycle will be an off cycle with the hysteroscopy coming up. I didn't realize it but I definitely needed the mental break.
"From the moment I first saw you, the second that you were born, I knew that you
were the love of my life"
Me: 35, DH: 40
TTC # 2 since 8/13, Dx: unexplained secondary infertility
Clomid cycles 7/14 & 8/14= BFN
IUI # 1 (clomid) 8/27/14= BFN
IUI # 2 (clomid and follistim) 9/25/14= BFN
IUI # 3 (femara and follistim) 10/23/14= BFN
IUI # 4 (femara and follistim) 11/20/14= BFN
12/12/14- saline sono shows two polyps
2/15- two uterine polyps and "schmutz" (RE's words) removed
Since you are almost 41 I would not wait too long. However a few months' mental health recess will probably do your spirit a world of good. I am 37 1/2, dealing with 3 FET failures in 12 months and am emotionally spent. I am on hiatus until RE appointment in late January. After that who knows how long additional testing will take. I'm so sorry you're in this situation. IF is such a mindfvck that we second guess all of our decisions when things don't work out.
TTC since 3-08
IVF # 1 Dec 2011 BFP
DD born at 31 weeks 6-24-12
That's such a hard call. If it were me 2 years ago I'd say forge ahead, me now says breaks are amazing for mental health if you are 100% on board with taking a real break. I do like the idea @potatocastillo had of doing an ER but holding off for a FET if that's an option!
Two DDs 10/08 and 08/10, no primary IF
TTC #3 since 10/2011 - dx unexplained/weak ovulation
3 BFN clomid + TI cycles, 5 BFN clomid/gonal f IUIs, 1 mmc IUI
2/19/2014 IVF #1 Unexpected low E2 (oversuppressed) -> increased to max doses = 3 or 4 follicles, converting to IUI
BFFP Saw 1 beautiful heartbeat at 6w6d, follow up u/s at 9w showed mmc. Eff this.
NTNP 5/2014-9/2014, OPKs and TI 10/2014 - 1/2015.
RPL testing all normal, AFC, AMH, and FSH all normal.
That's a really tough call. I also like @potatocastillo's suggestion of doing a ER and then just waiting to do the FET if you can. Maybe a mini break if you can't do that but I wouldn't wait too long either. I'm sorry you're in this place.
Re: WWYD?
TTC #3 since June 2013
BFP #1 7/21/2013--EDD 3/30/14--D&C 9/24/13
BFP #2 1/28/14--MC 2/7/14
IUI #1 5mg Femara + trigger = BFN
IUI #2 5mg Femara + trigger = BFN
IUI #3 5mg Femara + trigger = BFN
I nothing else, the mental break for stress if you know work is nuts now may help. I cant answer or you, but I'd take the break
Spontaneous pregnancy #1
DD1 July 31, 2011
Trying for #2 since Oct 11
Spontaneous pregnancy #2= Ectopic #2= lost left tube
Spontaneous pregnancy #3= DD2 January 29, 2016
Spontaneous pregnancy #4= Ectopic #3
Spontaneous pregnancy #5= Baby #3 is a BOY!!!
Spontaneous pregnancy #1
DD1 July 31, 2011
Trying for #2 since Oct 11
Spontaneous pregnancy #2= Ectopic #2= lost left tube
Spontaneous pregnancy #3= DD2 January 29, 2016
Spontaneous pregnancy #4= Ectopic #3
Spontaneous pregnancy #5= Baby #3 is a BOY!!!
I am 37 1/2, dealing with 3 FET failures in 12 months and am emotionally spent. I am on hiatus until RE appointment in late January. After that who knows how long additional testing will take.
I'm so sorry you're in this situation. IF is such a mindfvck that we second guess all of our decisions when things don't work out.
FET #1 Dec 2013 BFN
FET # 2 Feb 2014 BFN
No more frosties
IVF #2. September 2014
PGD yielded 2 perfect 5d blasts
SET November 9, 2014
Nov 23, 2014. Another BFN
Not sure where to go from here.
Dx: Me: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss; DH: Low Morphology (2%)
BFP#1: MC 3/1/11 at 6w1d - EDD 10/21/11
BFP#3: MC 2/8/14 at 4w5d - EDD 10/13/14
BFP#6: CP 11/6/14 at 4w2d - EDD 7/14/15
IVF #1 with ICSI & PGS: May/June 2015, ER 6/3/15, 17R/17M/15F
IVF #2 with ICSI & PGS: July 2015, ER 7/16/15, 16R/11M/9F
PGS results = 6 normal embryos (4 boys, 2 girls)
FET 9/23/15 = BFFN