What comes between TTC "naturally" and IVF?

[DoodleAlley]

We're getting close to the point when drs will start to do tests for an inability to conceive.

The thing is both DH and I have agreed that we don't want to go down the IVF route because we don't feel we could dispose or donate unused embryos.

What I'd like to get a sense of is it worth going down this route if we would decline IVF for ethical reasons?

What do they do other than check your hormones and sperm count? Are there realistic ways they can try to "assist" rather than IVF.

I had a cervical/ovarian scan last year for unrelated reasons and that came back as healthy and fine so hopefully that's one less step they need to do.

It depends what the problem is. If it is mild male factor, they might try iui. They might do this if they can't find anything wrong too. If the problem turns out to be severe male factor then ivf is the only option. If the problem is to do with ovulation then a drug like clomid might help.

Good luck.

I know this isn't for everyone but I had acupuncture as I had problems due to PCOS and endometriosis - both conditions seem to have cleared up almost completely, heavy periods etc back to normal, and fell naturally pg just before Christmas before we were even really trying! Sadly had a mc in March, but will be TTC again soon.

Also in the same boat re IVF ethics. Although I did see a study last year (not sure where sorry) that couples undergoing IVF were 70% more likely to be successful if they did acupuncture alongside.

Ok. DH thinks acupuncture is a bit "woo" but if it's woo over ethics then you can't lose!

Besides its be me not him!

DH is older than me so sounds like we need to hope its me not him. I thought there were more things they could do than that which is a bit sad but hey ho.

Am trying for the drink eat and be merry idea month and don't look at calendars or ovulation sticks this month. Seeing as they follow the rules approach has had sod all success!

Sorry so many errors in that last paragraph it barely makes sense. And I've not even been drinking tonight!

Actually just been reading the mn guide to this area and been really helpful too. Here's hoping its not needed and a holiday with plentiful wine and babysitting does the job. Just trying to resist moving it a week back to "coincide" better. Must relax more! Must relax more!

Thanks for the replies

There are various options:

• hycosy/HCG (where they put dye through your tubes to check for blockages). This is in theory diagnostic rather than treatment but women sometimes seem to get pg after this even if they had no blockages found.

• Clomid. Induces ovulation, so is most successful if blood tests show you are not ovulating. However sometimes they also give it to women who are ovulating as a "boost" ("superovulation")

• IUI as mentioned above, often in conjunction with Clomid

• I have also heard of women being advised to douche with bicarb solution to clear out their v heay mucus (with success).

• Woo treatments: acupuncture is the main one but there are also special diets etc.

As well as the scan you mention, have you had blood tests to check for ovulation, check your thyroid, etc?

Well last year I had both of those checked but I guess things might have changed. Thanks for the info it helps to know there are options as it all feels a bit hopeless at present.

I'll try to lose a bit more weight too in the hope it helps

Doodle, sounds like I'm a couple of months ahead of you. I went to the doctors just before Christmas. I was then sent for blood tests to confirm ovulation and my DH had to do a SA too.
I then had to have my weight checked because I had a BMI over 30 and the fertility clinic won't see you if it's over 30. Fortunately I have been working hard to lose weight and weighed in at exactly enough to get a BMI of 30.

Like you I have had unrelated ultrasounds and the like and so I have had slightly more checks than most.

I had my first appointment at the fertility clinic a couple of weeks ago. They have asked DH to do another SA. The consultant said that this was because sperm is on a three month cycle and the results may have changed since then.

I am due to go back for my second appointment in about two weeks. By this time we will have the results of the SA. The plan is that assuming that everything with the SA is OK then I will get clomid even though it seems that I am ovulating.

My advice would be to go to the doctors as soon as you can. Lie about how long you have been TTCing because it can take a while to get through.

Oh you just mentioned two words that strike dread in my heart - general anaesthetic!

Thanks

Has he had a sperm count?
Have you tried taking your temperature to find out when you are your most fertile? That worked for us, once we knew sperm count was normal.