When to start IVF?

[ThatNimbleOP]

Hi all,

Looking for some advice. I'm 33 in a couple of weeks and appear to have secondary unexplained infertility after unsuccessfully TTC our second for 13 cycles (give or take, maybe some of these weren't ideal!)

I spoke to a fertility expert and she recommended trying for at least one "good" year and then proceeding to IVF. So in my mind, that's another 5 months (April time) then we start IVF. I've already started researching clinics etc. though.

Am i jumping the gun? Should we try for longer....what other options are there? Everything is textbook perfect on paper both sides and we conceived my first daughter, first cycle; with no complications throughout pregnancy or birth.

Mentally, i'm exhausted and looking for answers. Fertility clinics seem to be about money-making and i don't know who to trust anymore!

Thanks so much,

Under 35 I think waiting the full year is fine. How long are the wait times at the clinics you have researched? Some a really long - I opted to go for Create - privately - Low dose mild stim no down reg so wait times were really low

I would get the ball rolling with a clinic, have the meetings, preliminary tests etc then you can start when you want to if not successful in that full year timeframe

@traintonowheretoday it'll be private as we're secondary, so no funding.

We do fit the criteria for ABC fertility (sister of CREATE), is that similar to what you had? It is markedly cheaper then full IVF but worries me - as it's cheaper!

Thanks! Yes i'm definitely in that mindset.

I've narrowed it down to two clinics near us - Herts and Essex and ABC...ABC considerably cheaper as we fit criteria. Is it just that it's nurse led?

Oh no clue I'm afraid, we had very little option near us. Do they hold open evenings? Maybe try joing relevant Facebook groups to ask opinions/success rates?

ABC is the “budget” arm - a lot of the appointments are done by fertility nurses rather than consultant but collection and transfer are still done by consultants usually at Create premises. They’re a great option if you fit their very narrow criteria - you don’t have as much influence I would say over your own treatment and they don’t often change protocol if it’s not going to plan - it’s designed as one size fits all

@traintonowheretoday thank you! Its a gamble isn't it...as it's unexplained and we fit the criteria, the mild IVF seems like a good option. I think i'm going to have their scan anyway as it's £100 if you go to seminar, then get clearer view of pricing.

Will do Herts and Essex as well although they want £570 for AMH/sperm consultation as they tailor the price to you...

Just frustrating to fork out money for a "quote". I guess that's how it is..

In my mind as well i just feel like we have more "time" but after a year of zero positives, there's got to be something wrong right?

I would just get on with it and suck up the cost. That’s what we did.
Everything takes ages, they want to scan you and take bloods etc before starting IVF which takes at least a month. Then I had a successful cycle that ended in miscarriage - that took 3 months to sort out because you have to be scanned again etc etc before restarting IVF.

I think just get on with it.

@thelifeofgreece what clinic did you use, if based in UK?

CRGH on Great Portland Street. They’re great!

I’d start getting prepped with 3 months of supplements, healthy eating, cut out booze for you and partner. And keep trying in the meantime. it might work on its own and if not you’ll be giving the ivf cycle the very best chance.

@100Otters thanks! We've been taking supplements for over a year now. I introduced the ubiquinol form of CoQ10 roughly a couple of months ago. My partner also stopped vaping in the last 3 weeks too so aware it'll be beginning of Feb to see results for both of us. If sperm results were amazing regardless but hoping this will be an extra boost.

I've got the ball rolling with ABC and Herts and Essex, hoping to have some personalised quotes by end of the month and be able to make informed decisions after Christmas.

No way would i start anything before then, want to enjoy myself :)

Also neither of us drink anyway. Was planning on having a couple at Christmas do but nothing crazy!