IVF at 38 nearly 39

[Annabel19]

Hi there

I’m new to this and not really sure about how to start a thread!
I’m 38, nearly 39, and waiting for my next appointment with fertility specialist with a view to starting IVF this summer. Each appointment seems to involve at least an eight week wait and I feel like time is running out for me.
Just wondered if anyone had any advice/ success stories they wouldn’t mind sharing. We’ve been ttc for 19months. I got pregnant once and this ended in very early miscarriage. I have a short cycle and low AMH pmol 5.4. Thanks so much in advance for anyone who can offer any advice xxx

Hello, no advice, but just wanted to reply to bump this up so others can see it

@Annabel19 hi no advice regarding ivf bit I've read that if u take 200 to 400mg of ubiquinol helps with egg quality and low amh it takes 3 months for a healthy folical to grow so its recommended to take fpr 3 months pls vitamin b helps lengthen your lutal phase, I'm currently 38 I had quite a few misscarages 1 late one and I feel my time is running out, there is a booked called it starts with a egg it's a really good read and has giving me so much hope in the book it tells you what vitamins to take to boost the chance of healthy eggs and it has abig chapter about boosting your chances of successful ivf it's the latest research from all over the world , if you dont mind me asking are you going through ivf through the NHS because I'm going to try again and if I miscarry im going to ask to be refured , does your gp refure u or did u have to c a specialist first

I've also read that woman under going ivf swear by drinking pure pomegranate juice and eat pineapple core because it gets the uterus lining ready for implantation

Hi @Annabel19,

I’ve just turned 38 and we’re planning to start IVF in August. Seeing the consultant next week, it’s private and we could start whenever we want afaik but want to wait until august because husband has male factor and it will give him longer on supplements, plus we have a holiday booked for July so August it is.

So I don’t have much advice because I’m new to all this as well, maybe read It Starts with the Egg as previous poster suggested? I’m doing that at the moment. Anything that will increase our chances is good.

Op I have two children conceived through ivf. It’s a slow and nerve wracking experience but it can work. Try to stay positive. I’m 41 now my first was born when I was 38 and the second at 40. It’s more than possible. Hang in there.

@A1b2c3d4e5f6g7 thanks for that xx

@Newbie202012
Hi there. Sorry for late reply. I saw my gp after we’d been trying for a year. I was then referred for some tests which are required for a referral to hospital fertility specialist through nhs. The whole thing has taken since last sept but I think they wanted is to have time to keep trying. Best of luck to you xxx

@thislittlebird
Thanks x I’ll give the book a go. Best of luck to you. I’ve heard lots of ivf success stories xxx

@Twickerhun
Thanks for that. Encouraging words! I think I’ll feel better when we get started. Think low amh is what’s worrying me but fingers crossed xxx

Third ivf round resulted in success and a baby 3 months before I hit 40.

Good luck on your journey.

@Worldgonecrazy
That’s great news. So glad it worked out for you xxx

@Worldgonecrazy
Feel free to tell me to mind my own business .. do you mind me asking if you had low amh? Sorry for being so nosey xxx

Hey! We're the same age and our AMH is the same!! We have male factor fertility and I have a history of PCOS although I take metformin and it's mostly not an issue now.
I had a really successful IVF 1st round - 15 eggs 13 of which were good quality 5 day blasts. We got pregnant on the 2nd transfer which was a natural frozen embryo transfer (ie no drugs)
I attribute a lot of the success to the supplements I was taking from the book "it starts with the egg" by Rebecca Fett. Or we were really lucky!
Sadly our baby didn't actually make it he was stillborn but That wasn't anything to do with the IVF (I got infection). We will have to think about trying again soon. Happy to answer any questions xxx

@SteffieIUI
Hello xx I’m sorry to hear that. Must be very hard xx It sounds like you had a positive experience in terms of ivf. I’m really worried about egg quality as I have a short cycle and think my eggs are likely to be immature. Fingers crossed for you xxx

@SteffieIUI
Also did you ask your consultant first about taking the supplements recommended or did you just go ahead? Thanks xxx

No problem sharing. I don’t think so. Do have pcos and took metformin to week 20.

Other stuff included a cup of hot water every morning and honey on my toast.

I also have eggs that are difficult for sperm to penetrate but we only found this out through two failed rounds. We went for icsi and fertilisation rate went up from 20% to 90% so we had more embryos and could afford to wait the extra day or two to implant blastocysts.

Hope you get the right support.

[quote Annabel19]@SteffieIUI
Also did you ask your consultant first about taking the supplements recommended or did you just go ahead? Thanks xxx[/quote]
No I didn't mention the supplements until they asked what I was doing! as I know they can't say yes take them as they need to have all the evidence. The book is good at explaining it all though worth a read I thought it was quite compelling but I know it doesn't work for everyone. It gave me something to do during lockdown while waiting for clinics to reopen!

@Worldgonecrazy
Thanks xx Fingers crossed xx

@SteffieIUI
Thanks. I’ve downloaded the audio version just now and having a listen whilst doing my house work! X

Hi! Is anyone still on this chat?

I had IVF well into my 30s and it worked. I paid a bit extra to have an endo scratch procedure to help with implantation. I conceived my DS via that cycle and went on to conceive a 2nd DC naturally. I think the IVF with my first child helped to fix some of the issues that were making it difficult to conceive my first. I hope it works for you too. I know a few people who have had children via IVF. I think the rate of success has gone up a lot in the last few years.