IVF.......when do you stop?

[angelfire]

I am 39, my DH is 45. I was diagnosed with PCOS 7 years ago and 4 years ago my husband was diagnosed with poor sperm motility. We were told that ICSI was our only option.

The first attempt had to be cancelled due to poor response to the meds.

The second attempt lead to our beautiful son now aged 3

Earlier this year the 3rd attempt again had to be cancelled due to poor response.

We have just been though a 4th go (full cycle) which was unsuccesful.

I am very aware that I have been exceptionally lucky to have a child thorugh ICSI. I know this. And there are lots of pluses to having just the one child - more money, flexibility, time etc.

But I feel very sad that I may never expereince the joy of pregnancy again. And I always thought that I would have more than one child. And it breaks my heart to think that my sociable, friendly, loving son may be an only hild.

At what point do you stop treatment? We could afford another cycle. But I am nearly 40. I was very ill (mild OHSS) with the most recent cycle. I am tired of hoping, waiting and longing. Do we put ourselves through this again or is enough enough.

I am very sad, frustrated and tired.

Thanks

Oh Angelfire, it made me feel really sad to read your post. It's a very personal decision and only you can decide, but if I were in your shoes I think I would try again, because in a few years' time you might regret not trying and think "Maybe that time it would have worked".

But that's easy for me to say, and I can only imagine the heartbreak of going through unpleasant ICSI which doesn't work.

hi angelfire!
I feel sad to hear things are not great for you.
We were diagnosed with infertility and my husband went straight into a depression that almost killed our relationship. He has managed to get out of it and doctors found out that he had a problem with hsi testosterone levels.
they say that testosterone does not imporve motility but it improves quantity. I am now 17 weeks pregnant and never went for any drugs or ICSI, I was told that ICSI was our only way to have a baby!
Please get your husband's testoterone levels checked if you haven't! It might help!
Good Luck and dont loose hope!

angel fire I sort of know what you are going through! I have DS now 18months. My DH was diagnosed with everything that could be wrong. I have Polycystic ovaries, but ovulate. We had 9 attempts at ICSI the first one resulted in a PG but I m/c at 9 weeks. We had three attempts of IUI with Donor sperm which didn't work before attempt 10 of IVF with dodnor sperm which has resulted in our much longed for son. I have had two IVF attempts since which have been unsucessful. We have enough donor sperm for one last attempt for our DB to have a full sibling and its hard to think it will probably not happen. I don't think we could have a different donor father and as the law has changed since I had Db i can't have one child knowing their biological father and one not. The decision to contiue is a hard one as it is not always financially driven ( harder if it isn't.) But just think of it this way, when you are old and grey, would you think I wish I had tried again, if so you have got to do it again for your own sanity. Sorry its so long I wish you lots of luck in whatever you decide. xxx