Anyone doing ivf at 40+

[lucieloos]

We're considering doing a couple more rounds of ivf at 40.5 years old. We have 2 children already but still feel someone is missing.

Is anyone else starting or already having treatment at 40+ and would like to share the journey?

Hi @Sian7919 thanks for asking...
I've decided to go for the consultant in Athens... and should start mild ivf this coming week (meds all ready.. but as its my first time, I wont lie.. im finding it quite daunting) I reached out to a few clinics here but didn't hear back from them. I think as my chances are slim most won't look at me as thers a high chance i would negatively impact their stats. The clinic im going to will scan me daily from week 2 and tweak meds appropriately. Wont lie, flying to greece in the middle of a pandemic wouldn't be my first choice but seems like my best option...

I know my chances are slim. I had a scan last month and only had 4 follicles... but my consultant said that was a better outcome than he's expected based on my bloods. So.. im hoping we are lucky and get a few viable eggs that make it to embryos and one takes. Chances are slim but there is a chance and that's what im clinging onto.... Going to give us 2-3 attempts before I accept the route everyones been advising me to go down of egg donation.

Am rattling daily with dhea, coenzyme q10 etc etc, and having regular reflexology. Plus have my other half on proxeed so that should all help🤞🤞

Don't give up hope @Anxiousbuthopeful there are ways... but understand how you feel. Sending hugs xx

@Anxiousbuthopeful I’ve read many posts on here from ladies who have had a low number of follicles on one cycle, had their cycle postponed and then a higher number on the next cycle so there is definitely hope as our bodies appear to do crazy things that can not be explained!
However I responded to your post as I have just had my review appointment with my consultant yesterday after my 3rd failed ICSI cycle (ended in a CP) as I had 2 follicles on my baseline scan and questioned why my cycle was not postponed. His response was that there are too many studies that show lots of women don’t have better results in the following months and postponing the cycle just results in a woman getting older (particularly detrimental for someone like me who is nearly 42).
I just wanted to share that info with you as I trust my consultant 100% and he trained under Robert Winston so he knows his stuff!
In 3 cycles I’ve had one no viable embryo to transfer, one MMC and one CP. He told me I have a 10% chance of success if I have another try with my OE. Wishing you lots of luck in whatever you decide to do as a lot of this process relies on it.

@KTD79
Please do keep this thread updated on how you get on in Athens as I am also considering going abroad (for a DE cycle) but feel nervous about doing this during covid so would be super helpful to hear how you get on. Many many thanks and lots of luck to you too.

Thank you @PositiveThinkerAlways. I am trying this month, and every month I can. I suppose only time will tell if I can have a decent cycle again or not. I am trying not to stress but feeling a bit doomed, I think maybe the MMC sadness catching up with me too. I hate the feeling that we are at the end of the road and there isn’t much that we can do...

@Anxiousbuthopeful Yes I definitely understand that feeling myself and as I do not have any children I still have that burning desire to be a mum and have a family but I fear time is running out. I am not ready to give up yet and that is why I have reached the conclusion that I may have a better chance of success by using a DE, but my consultant has said it’s still only a 50% chance. Although I appreciate that this is a very individual decision and not right for everyone.
However I’m determined to remain positive and hope Lady Luck will shine on me one day soon 🤞 I wish the same for you too x

So I haven't posted on here for a while so not sure if any of the same people are on here but anyway I have 2 children conceived through many, many rounds of ivf and blood, sweat and tears. My husband had an op a few months back for a blocked urethra which he has been waiting ages for. I ov'd on day 14 this month and we dtd once on day 13 and I nearly didn't bother as he doesn't have a particularly high sex drive so I always kind of feel like I'm pestering. Anyway I'm 11dpo today and got this! Really can't believe it. I'm 41 though so I know it's likely this may not have a happy ending but for me the fact I've conceived naturally really is a miracle!

Wow! Congratulations @lucieloos
It’s so nice & heartwarming to hear such positive news. It gives me hope!
I sincerely hope everything works out well & you have a happy & healthy pregnancy. Wishing you lots & lots of luck xx

@lucieloos THAT IS WONDERFUL NEWS!!! So so pleased for you - I have just heard a very similar story from a lovely woman I was cycling with, though she has just had her little girl. So dreams can come true! Just brilliant news - stay safe and thank you for giving us all hope! Xxx

Thank you so much both! I really can't believe it's happened. Just hope and pray for a healthy pregnancy now. We had decided against anymore ivf as just couldn't afford it so we were half heartedly trying naturally!

Oh my god @lucieloos! I haven’t checked the thread for some time. Hurrah! Such amazing news. I am having egg retrieval today, wish me luck!

@Anxiousbuthopeful thanks so much and wishing you all the luck in the world with you egg retrieval. Keep us posted x

Good luck @Anxiousbuthopeful - got everything crossed for you!

@lucieloos - how are you feeling? Has the news sunk in yet?!

@ACAL I'm just feeling nervous really. Meant to be doing digi tomorrow to see if it's gone to 2-3 and still doing frers as well. I think once I've got passed all that and got 3+ on digi then I will book an early scan. If that goes well I will book a nipt test to check genetics. Lots of hurdles to get through yet.

@lucieloos congratulations!! So lovely to hear. Having never had a positive test naturally I can only imagine your shock/excitement. Everything crossed it all goes smoothly, you just need time to magically fast forward 2 months!

@Anxiousbuthopeful absolutely everything crossed for you too! Such an anxious time but great to be at the point of egg collection, and you just need one good one. Cliché but true. Let us know how you get on!

Got 6 eggs, weird though as had 7 follicles. Find out tomorrow how many were mature and fertilized. Looking a little less positive also because 2 follicles were tiny... but we won’t really know until tomorrow.

@Badgerismyname thanks so much. Yes it was a complete surprise and such a surreal thing getting a positive without loads of medical intervention! We had already decided there would be no more ivf for us as we couldn't afford it so said what will be will be but I didn't ever think it would happen.

@Anxiousbuthopeful 6 eggs is brilliant. I never had much more than that but haven't managed 2 children. Fingers crossed for good fertilisation:

Congrats @lucieloos and good luck @Anxiousbuthopeful fingers crossed you get a good result x

@Anxiousbuthopeful I was told I had 7 follicles at my EC in Feb and got 5 eggs, all of which got to blastocyst. All you can do is hope for the best. Thinking of you

Hello all, thanks for the support! 4 fertilized, set for a day 3 transfer...

That's great news! How many will you transfer?

Apparently all of them? Given age (42) and day 3 transfer. The 4 would already likely turn to 2 with a 5-day transfer... do you think I am at risk of quadruplets?!

@Anxiousbuthopeful no I wouldn't have thought so given she. That's probably why they are happy to do it.

@Anxiousbuthopeful good luck for your transfer tomorrow!

Thank you @lucieloos - so lovely of you to remember! How are you getting on?

@Anxiousbuthopeful yes not too bad thank you. It's just such early days but I'm trying not to stress. I got 2-3 on the digi yesterday which was 15dpo so all on track so far. I will do another next Friday to see if it goes to 3+ as that one is a big jump. I just feel like I'm willing time away at the moment as I'm only 4+2 tomorrow.

Let us know how you get on🤞

Hello all! Pregnancy test due weds but tiny spot of brownish blood on toilet paper. How devastated should I be?