IVF - is it really worth it?

[Viewofhedges]

I'm 38, DH is 42. We have unexplained infertility of 3 years (neither of us have ever had a child), and may be able to get IVF on the NHS (which I know makes us very lucky).

But is it really worth doing this? Is it worth 6 months or so of hormonal rage, operations and disappointments? The whole process sounds so horrific, and unnatural, and just such a crazy thing to actually sign up to. What experiences have other people had with it? I'm terrified of setting out on this path, terrified of becoming a hormonal wreck and potentially putting my husband and I through something that could devastate us but just as terrified of getting old with no kids and knowing we could have tried just that bit harder.

I know no one has any answers but I'd be grateful for other people's opinions on this great unknown.

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Hi there - this thread is a little old. [[https://www.mumsnet.com/conception/ivf
If you want to find out about IVF, we’ve got more information here]]. MNHQ

[espritu]

Hi there viewofhedges. I just wondered how you got on? I'm currently in the same position (and about the same age). x

[Botanica]

I think it's a lot easier to say yes it's worth it when your round(s) were free, you fell pregnant first or second time, or you eventually got your much wished for child at the end of it.

Not everyone gets an easy ride or a happy ending and there's a lot to be lost in the process.

[GiGiI]

Hey all!!

So I’m here to chat about our journey so far, Failed first IVF & ICSI round and I feel really down about it! I have low AMH 3.7 and hubby has low count/ motility .

We had a short protocol 4 eggs but only one great one, and I just don’t understand why it didn’t implant. Has anyone else experienced this? Have any good experiences to share, as at the moment I seem to have lost hope 🙁!

[Londonwriter]

Hi,

Thanks to everyone who posted on the thread in 2015 with their lovely replies.

We had unexplained infertility for three years before I had my miracle DS in the run-up to a first cycle of IVF. I have autoimmune symptoms (no diagnosis - yet), which miraculously improved after Humira and intralipids, and then I fell pregnant naturally.

We’re now TTC a second DC. We were planning to try naturally for six months with immune treatment, but I’m nearly 39 now and we’ve discovered that my bloodwork doesn’t move with immune treatment (even though my symptoms improve), so we’ve no idea what caused me to become pregnant last time.

I was considering IVF, as much as a diagnostic as anything, but was too scared as I read so many horror stories (and I don’t want to take steroids as part of a cycle). So I’m now in a waiting room, hoping to be pregnant each month on the immune drugs, but having no idea if they’re helping or not - or if I now have age-related issues.

From what everyone is saying on this thread, it may be less miserable trying a cycle of IVF - even if it fails - as at least I’m not waiting around...

So thanks