IVF success stories?? Feeling very fed up

[stuarts]

Am looking for some encouraging IVF success stories. Looks like that's our only chance of ever conceiving but I'm feeling very pessimistic about the chance of it working.

I'm 39 and from what I've heard chances at that age are poor (particularly on first attempt).

I desparately want a child but worried that we'll end up owing money (borrow from family for IVF) and still no baby.

So am looking for some encouraging stories as am feeling really fed up at the moment.

Also does anyone have any experience of having it abroad where it is a lot cheaper?

Thanks

[Onlyaphase]

I think your chances depend on the clinic you use - some do have better rates than others. Whereabouts are you? Have you looked into clinics at all? Any NHS support for you?

You could join us on our IVFers thread too if you feel up to it. All welcome.

[thelittlestbadger]

IVF worked for me 1st round and for a friend 4th round (but she got twins ). Have you seen a consultant yet? how do they rate your chances?

[stuarts]

Hi

I'm in Lancashire so it would be a clinic in Manchester - the CARE one I think.

apparently I'm too old for any NHS help.

Thanks

[stuarts]

Hi thelittlestbadger

I've not seen an IVF consultant yet. Probably will be doing in the next few weeks when referred

do you mind me asking how old you were when it worked?

Thanks

[Onlyaphase]

Oh, and my first round of IVF produced DD. And my friend of 39 had twins on her 2nd attempt.

[stuarts]

I feel better already!

Does anyone have any views on which is the best clinic in Manchester in terms of success rates?

[Onlyaphase]

Look at the HFEA website here and it will tell you all you need to know about the published success rates of the clinics - beware though as rates change all the time and you should phone the clinics you are interested in to get the latest success rates for your age group. Some of the rates on the HFEA website are from 2005, and the clinics themselves obviously have more recent rates.

at hfea site

[ZZMum]

I went to CARE for some treatment and also MAnchester Fertility Services in Whalley Range which I rate highly mainly due to their sorting me out with the most beautiful daughter... I was 38 .. second time lucky etc...

Check out the stats and also visit the clinics I really liked MFS and their staff so felt relaxed.. I also took care of me and DH acupuncture, no binge drinking, no coffee etc ...

Good luck!!

[thelittlestbadger]

Hi, I was 32 and my friend was 38. Have you got Zita West's book on conception? I found that really helpful re diet, alcohol etc and what all the tests mean - it does help you think positively as you deal with all the results. Also I don't know about Manchester but some NHS hospitals charge the same for private patients as they do the NHS (IYSWIM) - i.e. if it costs the NHS £3000 for a round, that is what you pay privately. It may be worth having a look at this if the clinic is any good because the money side of it is very scary. Good luck

[catcarvell]

hi there i'm 29 and have just finished my first round of ivf at the care clinic at manchester and on a whole the experience wasn't too bad, the staff are lovely and look after you really well and if you have any questions you really can ask and they will tell you!!! i'm just waiting till i can do my test on the fifteenth to see if it has worked! we did the egg sharing so it wsn't too expencive for us! hope it all works out for you xxx

[catcarvell]

they have a full price list on the manchester care website xxx

[Madigan]

Hi there,
we had successful IVF in 2006 (I was 34) - DD born 2007. That was after 4 years of trying naturally, and clomid, and IUI (3 times) etc etc none of which worked.

I did lots of acupuncture before and during IVF, which I believe helped it to work 1st time. Went to ARGC clinic in London, which does have the best success rate in the UK. If there is any chance at all of you travelling to London for your IVF (lots of people do) then ARGC is far and away the best place to go. Very expensive though.

Then .... I got pregnant naturally 9 months after birth of DD and am currently 29 weeks pregnant. Unbelievable... no-one more shocked than me, after 4 years of misery.
So miracles can and do happen.

Good luck, stay positive, and do everything you can to maximise your chances i.e. healthy diet, no alcohol/cigs, acupuncture, positive visualisation. Sounds like hard work, but so worth it. xx

[catcarvell]

hi again well the dreaded two week wait is finally over and i did my hpt this morning and it was positive.....i'm soooo happy and i just wanted to let you know so you know there is hope out there good luck to all xxx
bags of baby dust to you all xxx

[tryingforababy]

Congratulation that is great so good to hear some good news did you do acupuncture ? I´m waiting to start IVF but going through NHS so prob take one yr in all.

[2toddlersandme]

Worked for me first time after a lot of other stuff didn't. And also a lot of my friends as well when they were about your age. It's gruelling, but doable (if that makes sense). Good luck and take care of yourself.

[catcarvell]

Thankyou xxx...no didn't use anything just looked after myself with a good diet and excercise and was completely stressed out the whole time especially the final two weeks! Not quite sure how people stay calm to be honest i couldn't think about anything else!!! but the main thing is that it worked and i'm writing my success story which i never thought i would be doing.....hope everyone gets this chance and to the lady how got my eggs...i really pray that it worked for you aswellxxx

[catcarvell]

Hope you don't have too much of a long wait...but wen you actually start the process it goes rather quickly (apart from the dreaded tww this is by far the worst part of ivf) good luck and keep us posted xxxx