Choosing an IVF multi cycle

[starsareblazing]

Hello,

I am finding it really difficult to choose whether to go for an IVF multi cycle or refund policy and was wondering if I could get anyone's thoughts on this?

For background, I'm 28 years old with low ovarian reserve (AMH 3.2, FSH 19), antral follicle count showed 5 on one side, 6 on the other. My husband is also 28 with normal semen analysis. We've been trying for 2 years but due to my AMH I won't be eligible for NHS funded IVF in our area, so we are going private starting next month.

We are choosing the closest clinic to our home, and as well as self funding per cycle they offer a partnership with access fertility. Access fertility do either unlimited cycles within a 2 year period (clinic have said realistically this would be a max of 6 ), they also do 3 cycle refund policies, 2 cycle refund policies, or a 2 cycle multicycle. (The unlimited and refund policies are subject to a medical review, but access have told me my AMH will not exclude me from these, and the clinic have told me I can likely choose from all options, will know for definite next week)

And I know this is so ridiculous but I am really unsure of what package would be best. I think it's just decision making overload and I am so confused. Financially it's all expensive and my parents are lending us the money so it's not the end of the world either way, although obviously the less to pay back the better.

The clinic have said due to my results I'm less likely to get enough blastocysts to freeze for future rounds, so I'm more likely to need multiple fresh cycles. Although they also say due to my age I'm more likely to get better quality ones. As a self protective thing I'm leaning towards thinking I'll need more cycles and then be pleasantly surprised if i need less, but also I want to be realistic and not over spend. Will 2 or 3 cycles likely be enough?

Any thoughts really appreciated!

gosh its hard to say. I feel IVF is a bit like gambling, you assess the odds and then make a choice, but nothing is guaranteed.

which is the clinic you're going with?

weve had a disappointing week too. I'm 37 with an AMH of 6.6 and an FSH of 7. we were leaning towards the Pure IVF package at cambridge IVF, but my AMH means we don't qualify.

if we do it we are going to do a 3 cycle package, but we already have a child and I can't keep going after that, I already feel guilty that we are considering taking a loan to do this.

I'd be inclined to do the discount package if I were you, as trying to squeeze potentially 6 cycles into 2 years could be quite stressful.

Yeah, it's so difficult to make a decision when it's all so uncertain! I always err on the side of pessimism but after the clinic seemed quite positive that it could work yesterday within 2-3 cycles, I feel a bit thrown! Yeah I totally agree that 6 could be a bit much. We're going with Bourn as geographically makes sense for us.

So frustrating that you can't do the Pure IVF package, a 3 cycle multi cycle sounds like a good idea. Are you definitely going for Cambridge IVF?

I think we might go with cambridge IVF. we very much liked the clinic. I'm not put off by the success rates as once you drill it down they are pretty much the same.

geographically bourn makes sense for us as we live in whittlesey, however they are super expensive!

That's really good that the clinic were nice! We're in Norfolk and Bourn have a Norwich clinic and a Kings Lynn satellite clinic which is why it makes more sense for us to go there

Hi @starsareblazing I had the same dilemma. We eventually decided to opt for unlimited as I just thought it would be good to have the option to keep going if we needed to and not feel like our time was up at 3 cycles. However because of my AMH (around 6) we actually got rejected by access for unlimited cycles and only offered 3 so the decision was made for us. I think both are good options.

Hi, that's really interesting, thank you for sharing. Access have said they would hypothetically accept my AMH for unlimited, but I do think in reality they probably won't, just have to wait until next week for the medical review to be completed and then will know more! How did the 3 cycle go for you? Were you at Bourn also?

It’s a numbers game the more good quality embryos you produce the better your chances. I opted for the free refund 3 cycle option after a disasterous NHS cycle as I couldn’t qualify for the unlimited IVF option but then got a BFP within the first of those cycles after a few transfers. In my option it’s best to limit costs as much as possible so the unlimited option may be better for you

They offered us 3 cycle 70% refund. We are still in 1st cycle currently in 2ww with one 'poor quality blast transferred on day 5 and nothing to freeze. Although I responded well to the stims sadly all our embryos rapidly died off before day 5. I'm still trying to be hopeful for this cycle but obviously if it fails, with nothing frozen, we will be on cycle 2 already. I therefore wish we had the unlimited option! Trouble is you don't really know how it's all going to go until you get started.

Do the packages allow you to change clinic or would you be tied to 1 clinic? I think if you have multiple failed cycles you would want the option to go elsewhere.
You are really young so even if you don’t get many eggs they will likely be really good quality.

I can't offer you any advice on funding options and I'm extremely lucky to have NHS funding, but I wanted to give you hope on your numbers. Mine are lower than you but as my consultant says age is on my side (31). I managed to produce 3 eggs on my first stim, all 3 made it to blastocysts. First transfer hasn't worked but 2 are currently in the freezer.
Good luck!!

@Teddybear45 thank you so much, that makes a lot of sense

@Girlinajumpsuit you're so right, this is the tricky thing, it's just so unclear how it will go. I worry about not having anything frozen and going through cycles quickly too. Fingers crossed for you in this tww.

@Waterdropsdown I think I'd be tied to 1 clinic but that's such a good point. Thanks so much

@Mrbay thank you so much for sharing, that's incredibly reassuring and gives me so much hope!! Good luck to you too