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Conception

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Original poster

When to decide on IVF

30 replies

pumpkinjoy · 03/03/2010 14:53

Hello-I have just had my first consultation at a fertility clinic. I had to go privately in the end as I was going to wait so long and I initially went to GP in may last year! We have been TTC for 2years 1` month now. Tests have shown there are no apparent problems on either side so we have been branded with the lovely phrase "unexplained infertilty".
I was given 3 options yesterday. Parental induction of ovulation with fertilty drugs, clomid plus artificial insemination with my husband's sperm, and IVF. The best success rates are with IVF with the other options apparently only having 10-15% success. Our view is that we are better off going straight for IVF (would have to be private as year long NHS waiting list)due to better success (and also the financial cost may be lower in the long-run) I would be greatful to anyone who could advise me or has been through similar experiences. I am getting increasingly desperate and just want something to work.

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Hi there - this thread is a little old. [[https://www.mumsnet.com/conception/ivf
If you want to find out about IVF, we’ve got more information here]]. MNHQ

OP posts:
Original poster
pumpkinjoy · 03/03/2010 19:24

Thank you so much everyone for your replies and support-it means so much when I know others are dealing with the same thing although still depressing. I just feel that I'd rather go straight for IVF rather than go through alternatives with lower success rates and then have them fail-at which point the financial and emotional cost is increasing.
I am 34 next month and my DH is 37. Our GP was very thorough and did blood tests-day 5 and day 21. My DH ended up performing 3 semen samples. I had swabs taken. At clinic(NHS) I had HSG and cycle monitoring and more blood tests. The consultant at the private clinic also does work at local NHS hospital and has experience of 20 years-I have confidence in him. The success rate at the clinic is 46% in my age grp.
liamsdaddy I havn't come across the term blastocyst-what is this and what does it mean for us? I feel very happy and slightly reassured that people have success stories and just want to do something. Have said to my DH we'll have to BD every day! Don't think that works though-it hasn't before.

OP posts:
DuelingFanjo · 03/03/2010 16:51

I would skip the clomid if you know that you are ovulating and DH's sperm is fine.

How old are you?

Go for IVF if there's a good success rate.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 03/03/2010 16:42

Would ask what tests you have both had done to date within the last six months as some do get missed out. These missed tests can sometimes find out why there is a fertility problem.

Any test result over six months should be discounted. Up to date test results are key.

"Unexplained infertility" as you realise is infact no diagnosis at all, all this means is that they have failed to find out to date what is wrong. Sometimes it is a "diangosis" given to couples when there has not been adequate testing done on both people.

Do you feel you have been adequately investigated?. If not I would seek a second opinion from another clinic. A caveat too re private clinics; some offer poor as well as expensive treatment.

tummytime · 03/03/2010 15:33

We had the same dx and were advised to try IUI with DH's sperm. We had 6 failed attempts. We moved onto IVF and had DD first cycle then DS from a frozen embryo. I bizaarely found IVF easier. You can make arrangements round scans/ tests etc and a proper break between cycles. You can also have a much better idea of where any problems are.

liamsdaddy · 03/03/2010 15:28

IVF is the most effective method, but its not a particularly pleasant experience and it takes a bit of time since clinics like to fully shut down everything (pretty much putting you into a medicated menopause) before starting the stimulation phase - and yes although the DW's got the brunt of it, the DH's get to suffer a bit as well.

We were fortunate, my DW did not react too badly to either the downreg drugs or the simulation ones other than a few mood swings.

You might have to go through it more than once too - but at least the 2nd time around it is easier (because you know what to expect and can cope better) although still tiring.

If you go IVF, I'd recommend getting them to take the embryo's to blastocyst as that gives the best chances although usually is extra.

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