Infertility, IVF then getting pregnant naturally?!!

[JonahAndTheSale]

Just wondered if this is common?

I've a friend who tried for 10 years to have a baby and were told they couldn't conceive naturally.

Had 5 failed IVF before successfully getting pregnant.

Baby is 2 and then conceived naturally.

Everyone is delighted!!

Is this very rare? AIBU to wonder can happen?!!

It depends hugely on the reason behind the infertility. We have a dd through icsi due to husbands low count- and will not improve. I think these stories are more true of 'unexplained' fertility cases.

I know of a few surprise second babies following IVF and several first babies while waiting for IVF or other fertility treatment to start (including my own first child). One of my friend's DH was told it was impossible for him to father a child without IVF. Friend had a surprise DC2 at 42 following successful IVF.

I hated being told to relax, go on holiday etc. I got pregnant on an adventure driving trip while waiting for treatment to start. We'd stopped worrying about TTC at this point. I don't suggest this to people struggling with infertility though.

flipperskipper for you but massive congratulations on your pregnancy!

Agree ivf is so so hard and the 'just relax' brigade really need to just fuck off.

We are one of the miracle / odd cases as well. Had ds1 through icsi then became pregnant a year later naturally but it was unfortunately ectopic. So then had male and female factor issues as I lost a tube. We had a failed round of icsi 8 months later but then got pregnant with DS2 the first month after. It definitely wasn't from being relaxed, I was feeling shit and so stressed from it all. We were very very lucky and we are very very grateful.

to anyone having a tough time.

I am currently pregnant having conceived naturally after 2 years of trying with identified problems (endometrial cysts on my ovaries, one ovary wasn't functioning, and low egg reserve). We were waiting for my period to arrive to start 3mths treatment firstly for the endometriosis, then to immediately have IVF. My period never came.

Through the 2 years of TTC I hated hearing that we should 'just relax' - generally from people who had conceived themselves within 6mths or so. I have no explanation except luck as to how we managed it, and I do feel incredibly lucky. It's odd having been through fertility testing and treatment referral to then conceive on our own - it immediately takes away all those fears that it will never happen. I know that many couples are not so lucky.

I know a couple who conceived through IVF (though they paid to go private and had not been TTC as long as the NHS advises - around 6mths I think). They conceived their second naturally after around 1yr. It may have been that the mother's body 'knew' what to do having done it before. Or it may have been that it just would naturally have taken them a little longer.

Despite having now conceived naturally, I still remember the pain of those months of getting my period, and the awful day of being told that we had very little hope of conceiving without medical intervention. Slightly off topic, but as well as the 'just relax' comments, it really gets my back up when people tell me that all it takes is a few green smoothies and a bit of exercise. Oh and some pineapple. Again generally from people who have conceived within the first few months (not that anyone has said that here, but I've heard it in real life).

Flipperskipper-
I was a month from starting ivf after being told both my fallopain tubes were blocked with scar tissue. I conceived naturally. Very unlikely I know but I think there is some chance that investigations where they put dye through can unblock a little. I'm guessing I will need IVF for the next one.

Here too. 3 failed rounds of IVF.

Pregnant with DD month after final round, PG with DS when she was 9 weeks old

patmustard Holy shit! I mean congratulations and all obviously. But holy shit

Thanks ladies

acquiescence I have so much scar tissue (from burst appendix leading to peritonitis and a massive pelvic abscess) that all attempts at diagnostics (HSG, hystero and laparoscopy and dye) failed, they couldn't even carry the tests out. When I had a suspected ectopic last year (IVF no4) I was close to having to have a hip to hip incision to remove it. I'm a pretty extreme case though, I've no doubt that in some cases the dye tests can help.

I've not used contraception since my ICSI conceived DD was 3 months old and she's now 3. Despite hoping that IVF would have fixed whatever the hell is wrong, I'm coming to terms with the fact she will be an only.

I think that sometimes you hear positive stories because people have gone for IVF fairly quickly (i.e within 2 years) and they might have conceived anyway if they hadn't have gone for IVF. Whereas I had been trying for 4 years when we had IVF/ICSI (due to 2 early miscarriages resetting the clock with the NHS). Excluding pregnancy, I've now got approximately 7 years of infertility under my belt, so I think a surprise pregnancy is going to be unlikely.