Hi ladies. Need some advice here if you can help out! I just got home from my RE appointment and here's the story:
- I've been on 3 medicated cycles TTC with TI along with follitism injects, femara, and HSG trigger shot. All I had one large follicle, good looking lining, but all ended in BFN's.
- My DH's SA just came back (long story but we didn't do it before due to insurance reasons) with 450 million count, 69% mobility, but LOW morph at 2%.
With his morph that low we thought we were headed straight to IVF, but RE says we have a few options:
1.
We could do one cycle of IUI NOW. She said it's more like 12% we will get pregnant with IUI (versus 8% doing TI) and with low morph counts it's not completely hopeless--she considers it more probable since his other numbers are good. So it's a chance but not huge percentage of course. If we do one cycle of IUI we'll be able to see if it's worth doing more cycles to try again or if we should take the next step and go forth with IVF which is more of a 58% chance with his good numbers and my good AMH levels it will be a very good chance with IVF that we'll get a BFP. Financing wise, my insurance doesn't cover injectibles (approx. $300/cycle) or IUI ($400) so we'd be putting money into this as well.
2.
We could have DH start taking Fertilaid NOW to increase his morph as recommended by the RE but this won't take effect for 10 weeks at least so we'd take a break for 10 weeks then have him take another SA test and proceed with the one cycle of IUI if his numbers were increased. Then we'd also be able to tell if the IUI would work and if it's worth doing more cycles to try again or if we should take the next step and go forth with IVF.
3.
We could go forth with IVF NOW. This would be something we'd have to financially get ready for (take out a loan) so it wouldn't happen likely for a few months anyway and with the craziness of the holidays coming, we might opt to start this in January.
Any advice on which direction we should head? I'm leaning towards #2 but not exactly sure how much better our chances would be if he takes Fertilaid since there aren't many studies done yet. IVF would be a sure bet but I'd like to try IUI one time before we rule it out.
Thank you ladies for your help!
-Emily
P.S. I enclosed the info about supplements she gave us to increase sperm morphology.
Married to DH since 8/15
TTC since 5/15
PCOS, 35+, diagnosed with pre-diabetes
TI for 4 cycles: 1 round of femara; 2 rounds femara/ injectables: all ended in BFN.
3 IUI Cycles: letrozole/Follistim with HCG Trigger,all resulted in BFN.
FET #1: Baseline appt 4/28/16, Gonal-F/Menopur stims, Centrotide 5/4/16, ER 5/11/16; 6/8/16 ET, BFN
FET #2: Baseline appt 6/22/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 7/12/16 ET, 1st beta 7/21/16: 83 BFP, 2nd beta 7/23/16: 315. 1st U/S: 8/4/16 empty sac. 2nd U/S: 8/10/16 yolk sac appeared, everything stopped growing. Office D&C: 8/11/16, MC.
FET #3: Baseline appt 12/28/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 1/17/17 ET, 1st beta 1/27/17: 146 BFP, 2nd beta 1/29/17: 336, 1st U/S: 2/16/17, 2 healthy twin babies measuring 7w0d. EDD: 10/5/17
Re: Need Advice Please: Take a Break or Push Through with IUI cycle?
TI for 4 cycles: 1 round of femara; 2 rounds femara/ injectables: all ended in BFN.
3 IUI Cycles: letrozole/Follistim with HCG Trigger,all resulted in BFN.
FET #1: Baseline appt 4/28/16, Gonal-F/Menopur stims, Centrotide 5/4/16, ER 5/11/16; 6/8/16 ET, BFN
FET #2: Baseline appt 6/22/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 7/12/16 ET, 1st beta 7/21/16: 83 BFP, 2nd beta 7/23/16: 315. 1st U/S: 8/4/16 empty sac. 2nd U/S: 8/10/16 yolk sac appeared, everything stopped growing. Office D&C: 8/11/16, MC.
FET #3: Baseline appt 12/28/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 1/17/17 ET, 1st beta 1/27/17: 146 BFP, 2nd beta 1/29/17: 336, 1st U/S: 2/16/17, 2 healthy twin babies measuring 7w0d. EDD: 10/5/17
Has clomid been an option for you? I know it's a lot cheaper than Injectables.
TI for 4 cycles: 1 round of femara; 2 rounds femara/ injectables: all ended in BFN.
3 IUI Cycles: letrozole/Follistim with HCG Trigger,all resulted in BFN.
FET #1: Baseline appt 4/28/16, Gonal-F/Menopur stims, Centrotide 5/4/16, ER 5/11/16; 6/8/16 ET, BFN
FET #2: Baseline appt 6/22/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 7/12/16 ET, 1st beta 7/21/16: 83 BFP, 2nd beta 7/23/16: 315. 1st U/S: 8/4/16 empty sac. 2nd U/S: 8/10/16 yolk sac appeared, everything stopped growing. Office D&C: 8/11/16, MC.
FET #3: Baseline appt 12/28/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 1/17/17 ET, 1st beta 1/27/17: 146 BFP, 2nd beta 1/29/17: 336, 1st U/S: 2/16/17, 2 healthy twin babies measuring 7w0d. EDD: 10/5/17
July 2014: Femera 5mg CD 4-8, Trigger, IUI = BFN
May 2018 after long period of not trying, starting adoption process with family friend's newborn
November 2018 Adoption complete!
The meds for IVF are much more expensive than IUI because your dosage is higher. I'm fortunate that my insurance covered most of my meds. Without insurance you can possibly pay $3000-$6000.
They wash the sperm during IUI, so only good sperm are put back. I've heard of women getting pregnant with very low numbers being put back in.
Good luck to you and your hubby!
I got 1 follicle the first 2 cycles, 2 the last cycle. All 3 were BFN. We are on a break until at least Jan because of work schedules but I do want my dh to take either Fertility Blend or supplements during our break. I don't know if my insurance will cover any of the costs of ivf, as we have a lifetime cap on treatment costs, so our break could be even longer. I am 37, dh is 52 so time is not on our side so a break is not ideal but our schedule is too hectic right now for multiple Dr appts with little notice.
I hope you have peace with whatever choice you make and wish you good luck!
I'd recommend a different option- have DH see a reproductive urologist. REs focus almost exclusively on us and try to solve challenges from our female perspective but only a urologist can give you a complete picture and discuss the supplement and other options. We were told there is little that can be done to improve morph, depending on the cause. The cause of the morph (genetics, lifestyle, variocele) is as important as the number and drastically affects the odds of IUI success. (For instance, low morph related to variocele has a reduced rate of IUI success even at higher percentages and higher counts/motility but can be corrected through a small procedure in most cases.)
Hi there!!
I like the idea of doing #1 while you think about the other options for a little bit. That way, you can still feel like you are trying-and who knows you could totally get pregnant from that! But it would give you the time to research #2 and mentally and financially prepare for IVF. I almost jumped into IVF paying out of pocket and now I'm so glad I didn't. Still not pregnant but I feel like you have to really be ready for that decision. That's just me though!
I know IUIs are still not cheap but they are a lot cheaper than IVF. You could give it a couple rounds and see how it goes if that's affordable.
Let us know what you decide to do!! Good luck!
**BFP and loss warning**
You could always try IUI now. If that doesn't work, DH can try the supplements while you work on saving money. it would take at least 90 days based on the life cycle of sperm to see any effects. I believe it can only help you re: ivf. If he gets another SA at least 90 days later and his count has improved, then you can reevaluate IUI v IVF at that time.
We have pretty much decided to go with #2 based mainly on the fact I got AF yesterday and we are going out of town tomorrow so staring iui and a medicated cycle right away would be not possible. We've ordered DH's supplements and they'll arrive Sunday (gotta love Amazon Prime) so he will start taking those then. I still haven't ruled out doing IUI next month and moving to plan #1 but I think it will be good to reassess our finances and figure out if we can even afford a few cycles before he takes another SA and the supplements kick in (if they do anything). I do think we won't jump into IVF and try IUI a few times at least.
TI for 4 cycles: 1 round of femara; 2 rounds femara/ injectables: all ended in BFN.
3 IUI Cycles: letrozole/Follistim with HCG Trigger,all resulted in BFN.
FET #1: Baseline appt 4/28/16, Gonal-F/Menopur stims, Centrotide 5/4/16, ER 5/11/16; 6/8/16 ET, BFN
FET #2: Baseline appt 6/22/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 7/12/16 ET, 1st beta 7/21/16: 83 BFP, 2nd beta 7/23/16: 315. 1st U/S: 8/4/16 empty sac. 2nd U/S: 8/10/16 yolk sac appeared, everything stopped growing. Office D&C: 8/11/16, MC.
FET #3: Baseline appt 12/28/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 1/17/17 ET, 1st beta 1/27/17: 146 BFP, 2nd beta 1/29/17: 336, 1st U/S: 2/16/17, 2 healthy twin babies measuring 7w0d. EDD: 10/5/17
TI for 4 cycles: 1 round of femara; 2 rounds femara/ injectables: all ended in BFN.
3 IUI Cycles: letrozole/Follistim with HCG Trigger,all resulted in BFN.
FET #1: Baseline appt 4/28/16, Gonal-F/Menopur stims, Centrotide 5/4/16, ER 5/11/16; 6/8/16 ET, BFN
FET #2: Baseline appt 6/22/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 7/12/16 ET, 1st beta 7/21/16: 83 BFP, 2nd beta 7/23/16: 315. 1st U/S: 8/4/16 empty sac. 2nd U/S: 8/10/16 yolk sac appeared, everything stopped growing. Office D&C: 8/11/16, MC.
FET #3: Baseline appt 12/28/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 1/17/17 ET, 1st beta 1/27/17: 146 BFP, 2nd beta 1/29/17: 336, 1st U/S: 2/16/17, 2 healthy twin babies measuring 7w0d. EDD: 10/5/17
Beta 5/9/2016 BFP!!
Embryo transfer scheduled for April 28, 2016 and beta test May 9, 2016 (day after Mother's Day!)
Transfer Meds include: Lupron Depot (4/1), Minivelle Patch (every 3rd day), Estradiol (3x daily), Amoxicillin, Progesterone in Oil, Methylprednisonlone. Lovenox and baby asprin added after transfer.
3/22/16 - Sono Saline ultrasound cyst to be aspirated on 4/1/16 if not cleared up by 3/29 US - It cleared on its own
Retrieval 3/4/16 - 26 eggs retrieved, 23 mature, 20 fertilized, 14 embryos currently frozen
Starting IVF Stims on +/- Feb 22, 2016
HSG scheduled for 1-26-16 - All clear "beautiful uterus" (though inverted)
Switched clinics and now prepping for IVF in February / March
Trying to conceive since November 2012
**BFP and loss warning**
Enjoy the break!
7 IUIs, 7 BFNs.
2 IVF attempts, both cancelled and converted to IUI, both BFNs.
Decided that my tired old ovaries are ready to retire.
Next step- reciprocal IVF, using my wife's eggs, my uterus!
fresh 5 day transfer (2 embryos) 4/17/17- BFP!
Identical twins "due" 1/2/17 (but anticipated arrival sometime December)
TI for 4 cycles: 1 round of femara; 2 rounds femara/ injectables: all ended in BFN.
3 IUI Cycles: letrozole/Follistim with HCG Trigger,all resulted in BFN.
FET #1: Baseline appt 4/28/16, Gonal-F/Menopur stims, Centrotide 5/4/16, ER 5/11/16; 6/8/16 ET, BFN
FET #2: Baseline appt 6/22/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 7/12/16 ET, 1st beta 7/21/16: 83 BFP, 2nd beta 7/23/16: 315. 1st U/S: 8/4/16 empty sac. 2nd U/S: 8/10/16 yolk sac appeared, everything stopped growing. Office D&C: 8/11/16, MC.
FET #3: Baseline appt 12/28/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 1/17/17 ET, 1st beta 1/27/17: 146 BFP, 2nd beta 1/29/17: 336, 1st U/S: 2/16/17, 2 healthy twin babies measuring 7w0d. EDD: 10/5/17
TI for 4 cycles: 1 round of femara; 2 rounds femara/ injectables: all ended in BFN.
3 IUI Cycles: letrozole/Follistim with HCG Trigger,all resulted in BFN.
FET #1: Baseline appt 4/28/16, Gonal-F/Menopur stims, Centrotide 5/4/16, ER 5/11/16; 6/8/16 ET, BFN
FET #2: Baseline appt 6/22/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 7/12/16 ET, 1st beta 7/21/16: 83 BFP, 2nd beta 7/23/16: 315. 1st U/S: 8/4/16 empty sac. 2nd U/S: 8/10/16 yolk sac appeared, everything stopped growing. Office D&C: 8/11/16, MC.
FET #3: Baseline appt 12/28/16, Estrace/PIO shots: 1/17/17 ET, 1st beta 1/27/17: 146 BFP, 2nd beta 1/29/17: 336, 1st U/S: 2/16/17, 2 healthy twin babies measuring 7w0d. EDD: 10/5/17