Anyone considering IVF for unexplained fertility?

[MrsNuckyT]

Just that really. Conceived DC1 quickly and effortlessly the first cylce of trying. For DC2 have been trying almost exactly a year with no success whatsoever. Not even a chemical!

We have both been tested to death and there is nothing obviously wrong. I'm currently trying acupuncture. We've tried a couple of rounds of Clomid (almost pointless because I have good egg reserve and am ovulating fine).

SO - has anyone else in this boat just thought "fvck it" and gone down the IVF route? If so, would you mind saying what happened?

[maplebaby]

I have unexplained but I'm TTC 1 and going for medicated IUI first... I have 3 rounds before going onto IVF. Sorry no help on the IVF front but might be worth considering that first?? What do the docs / your consultant suggest?

[MrsNuckyT]

I'd be really interested to hear why IUI has been recommended for you... Obviously it is less invasive and expensive than IVF, but if you are ovulating, have good egg reserve and your partner doesn't have sperm issues I'm not sure that the chances of success are that high... Sorry, not meaning to sound negative about it.

I'm just weighing up the options and wondering whether washing and putting the sperm in higher is really going to make that much difference. I can, of course, see how it would greatly help increase chances if your partner has low sperm quality of motility and / or you're not ovulating naturally.

Suppose I'm just wondering if it makes sense just to 'skip to the end', ensure sperm meets egg and go from there!

[maplebaby]

Tbh I don't know - it was what the consultant said was the next step - I guess it has to do with costs and my age means we have some time. Also I have to have tried for 2 years before I qualify for nhs funded IVF (I only get one cycle damn postcode lottery!) and I'm currently month 16.

I think by causing me to release more than one egg the chances of fertilisation / conception is higher. Also the best sperm are placed high up near the tubes and don't have to get through the cervix so don't have to get as far so increases chances.

It might be different for you depending on age (??) but for me I'm happy to go through IUI first as it is less invasive. Also the success rates for medicated IUI vs IVF (if I have read the information on the website correctly) for my hospital is the same!

Lots of ladies on the 10 month + thread which I'm on are going through IVF or over on the infertility forum might be better places to help you with the IVF queries.

[keepitgoing]

Hi we were unexplained for 2 years ttc#1, did 2 iuis then ivf and pregnant first time. A couple of years later (never used contraception post birth) we had 2 failed frozen attempts then another fresh ivf cycle, which worked, and I'm pregnant again. Ivf did not give us any answers as to why we can't conceive naturally, but, hell, it worked! It's invasive, stressful, and expensive, though. I'd think your odds are pretty good given previous live birth but it's still more likely to fail than work. Definitely not an easy option, you never know odds are still good you might conceive in the next 6m. How old are you?

Good luck

[Osirus]

We had IVF for unexplained infertility. We weren't offered IUI as success rates aren't great and only marginally better than sex. I didn't find IVF that invasive and the process was straightforward. Got pregnant on first cycle and am now 36 weeks pregnant.

[CandyCrush77]

Interesting thread. We have been TTC for 7 months. We expected it to happen immediately (we both have 2 kids from previous marriages who were conceived straight away) but no luck so far, possibly because I am nearly 40 and DH is 46. We've both been checked out and I am ovulating and LMH is fine for my age and DH has an amazing sperm count. Still no baby! We are seeing a private consultant in 2 weeks to discuss next steps if we don't conceive naturally in the next few months. I saw a consultant already who said that there was no point doing IUI if unless some underlying issue and success rate is not much better than sex. I do think though that it may be worth a go as you know for sure that sperm is in the right place at the right time. I am also really keen to avoid something as invasive as IVF so wondering if Clomid is an option. Very difficult as if you have a specific problem then they can at least treat it. We also feel we're up against it because of our age. Would rather conceive naturally and need to give it a reasonable period of time but every month that passes makes it less likely.

[FleeBee]

TTC for 2 years nothing! All tests came up fine. Went on NHS waiting list for IVF was told it was a 2 year wait.
Went to a private clinic who reviewed all our history & tests recommend to just go straight for IVF so did & DC1 was born followed by DC2 15 months later conceived unexpectedly!