Bundling IVF?

jav5y2 · July 2015

Dh & I are gearing up for an August/September fresh IVF cycle. Our RE has a few different options for payment (we call it bundling). We are struggling to decide which option to go with, so all insights, opinions, anecdotes welcome.

We are 33 (me) & 31, I have unexplained infertility, dh has < 3% morphologgy.

Our dilemma is to buy just one IVF for 10k (+meds, freezing, ICSI) or 2 trys for 17k (+ meds for a FET).
If pregnancy is achieved on the first try, you lose try #2. It's like insurance (so says our RE).

We have done the math and discovered that is we succeeded in round 1 we would be out 7k, if we needed to do a FET for round 2 we'd be saving 3k.

We see the numbers, but we wonder if buying 2 would give us piece of mind. So dh & I are seeking your guidance.

What would you do? Any successes on 1st IVF try? Benefits of buying a second right off the bat?

Many many thanks!

girloffaith · July 2015

have you done IUIs? how do your follicles respond? for instance for me, i have PCOS--i got 31 eggs so one IVF would be (HOPEFULLY) sufficient. do you have any insight as to how your ovaries will take to stimming? with low ovarian reserve, i would maybe think 2nd option would be better.... i wouldn't worry about morphology as much if they will do ICSI. i'm leaning towards option #1 for you without more info!

jav5y2 · July 2015

Thanks girloffaith, I appreciate your thoughtful response. Good luck to you, hoping your IVF is a success! Here is a bit more info:

Feb - May - 3 failed IUI
50mg clomid 1 mature follie
100mg clomid 2 mature
100mg clomid 2 mature

I have a very good ovarian reserve, last ultrasound left ovary had 20+, right had 16. So if be thrilled with 31 eggs (way to go girloffaith).

Thanks again for your thoughts!

welovehawaii · July 2015

What are your AMH and FSH levels? My husband has 0% morphology and we did ICSI and didn't have a problem fertilizing the eggs. The bigger issue was my egg quality. We had to do 4 rounds of IVF and bank our embryos because I most likely will not have any eggs left in a year.

MKLEWIS2010 · July 2015

Would it count as one cycle if you held off the fresh cycle and did a frozen the following month? Frozen cycles are usually more successful. So if you could freeze all embryos you have from the retrieval and then wait until the next cycle to do the transfer you might have a better chance for success. The clinic I go to said they were contemplating moving to FET's instead of doing fresh cycle transfers.

jav5y2 · July 2015

MKLEWIS2010 said:
Would it count as one cycle if you held off the fresh cycle and did a frozen the following month?.

Unfortunately, it would count, so we will definitely be doing a fresh transfer, but thanks for the idea.

@welivehawaii - I don't know my levels right off hand, but I assume based on RE feedback that they are right where they need to be. When I get home I will be able to check the portal & have a better idea of just where I sit.

MKLEWIS2010 · July 2015

That is a tough decision I would check the stats of the clinic. I personally would pay for the two cycles because I would feel more at ease. However either way hindsight is 20/20 and I would kick myself saying i should have. But the less stress you have through this process the better. Good luck with your decision whatever you decide to do will be right for both of you.

By the way we found out our insurance recently changed and they only cover two cycles, regardless of fresh or frozen we had 3 frozen embryos and decided to do this recent cycle through insurance and if it's a failed cycle we will pay for the next two frozen cycles and have the insurance pay for a fresh just in case. Your RE is charging $7k for a frozen not including meds? Out of curiosity just because that's almost double the cost of a frozen for me where are you? I am in CT.

gkamerman78 · July 2015

As a totally cash pay myself I did research on the closest clinics to my house and being a veteran I found several clinics that offered discounts. Which was a huge help. I struggled with the same decision and based it on my own health. I have 1 ovary and no fallopian tubes. As one was removed in my 20ies and I lost the other to an ectopic pregnancy loosing my ovary at that time. Other then the phisical issue of having no roads to get were the eggs need to be I assumed it would be fine to do one cycle. As I had 18 follies on a regular cycle. I am now in the middle of stimming and keep questioning my decision as I am cycle day 9 and have taken 400-450 of follistim since day 2 and only have a few follies big enough to transfer.All that being said I may question the decision because I didn't understand what I was looking for but I have faith that I made the right decision for me. No matter what anyone here says remember it's what you think is right for the two of you and no matter what outcome it was the best decision for you when you made it. Don't look back. Best of luck with your decision.

jav5y2 · July 2015

MKLEWIS2010 said:

By the way we found out our insurance recently changed and they only cover two cycles, regardless of fresh or frozen we had 3 frozen embryos and decided to do this recent cycle through insurance and if it's a failed cycle we will pay for the next two frozen cycles and have the insurance pay for a fresh just in case. Your RE is charging $7k for a frozen not including meds? Out of curiosity just because that's almost double the cost of a frozen for me where are you? I am in CT.

We are in Phoenix, our clinic has a flat rate of 10k for IVF no matter if frozen or fresh. I am envious of your plan and insurance coverage

GOOD LUCK with your cycle, when is your transfer? I be thinking of you and sending good thoughts and prayers your way!

jav5y2 · July 2015

@gkamerman78 thank you for sharing your experience with me. Hoping and praying for a success for you and your family!

gkamerman78 · July 2015

Thank you so much! I will send prayers your way as well as all the family's ttc.

MKLEWIS2010 · July 2015

Wow its a shame that all insurance policies dont cover or at least assist with the costs of fertility treatments. I really hope it all works out for you. I am very grateful for my policy. Have you looked into any grants at all? I know some couples were able to get grants through the government (mainly state grants). Best wishes to you!

Thank you and my transfer was last Monday and my beta is this Wed - I am very nervous

jav5y2 · July 2015

Good luck, You'll be in my thoughts! Keep me posted!

MKLEWIS2010 · July 2015

will do thanks!

dvg716 · July 2015

I'm going through my first cycle, so no help there, but my doctor has a similar program, and if you do have success on your first try, you can use the bundle up to 5 years later. Something to ask if you are hoping for more in the future as well!

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