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Infertility

Our Infertility Support forum is a space to connect with others in the same position, discuss causes, treatment and IVF, and share infertility stories of hope and success.

IVF to conceive a sibling

42 replies

Giraffephan · 05/04/2021 20:36

Hi,
I was on this board a couple of years ago whilst going through IVF and now I’m back.
I have a 2 year old dd who was conceived with ICSI following unknown infertility.
DD is my world and I know how incredibly lucky I am to have her.
I am getting to the stage where a lot of my friends who had their first baby the time as me are now pregnant with number 2 and I don’t know what to do. I swore I would never go through IVF again as I found it mentally really challenging and I don’t want to spend money on something which might not work when I could spend it on DD.
DH would like DD to have a sibling. Has anyone else found themselves in this situation and what did you decide to do?
Many thanks

OP posts:
Grettle · 14/04/2021 16:32

Do you have any embryos in the freezer? If it were me I would use those at least.

We were not quite in the same situation, I conceived my first naturally and really struggled to conceive again so went to IVF for a sibling. We had a clear idea of when we would stop (3 cycles) so I could feel that I tried my best without it taking over our lives. We also planned to review after each cycle as I had no idea how I would respond to meds, etc. If I’d responded badly I don’t know do I’d have gone through with a second cycle. It helped to feel like I had some control and not feel IVF was some bottomless pit.

Wishing you the best xx

nightslugs · 14/04/2021 19:42

We're in a similar situation Giraffe. No real advice to give, but totally empathise with your situation. It's shit isn't it.

DD is 13 months and was conceived following 2 fresh rounds of ICSI. I'd be willing to do up to another 3 rounds as I'd like another baby & sibling for DD. OH doesn't want to though & I don't want to force him. We don't use contraception, but I am 40 now, I have Endo & OH has terrible swimmers, so I'm very realistic about the chances of a natural conception. I'm thinking of going back on the pill to control the Endo, but that also feels like shutting the door forever.

I'm thinking about how I'm going to respond to the inevitable questions.... My new mum friends are already falling pregnant with their second DC. I'm (less) bitter but also marvel at how seemingly easy it is for them.

I swing between feeling relieved that I'm a Mum and that I'll never have to ttc again, to feeling sad that I'll never experience pregnancy again or that DD won't have a sibling. I know I'm one of the lucky ones though.

For those of you who tried for another & it didn't work out or decided to stick with having one DC, was there anything that helped you come to terms with things? How has it been to be a family of 3?

Thanks for us all & for those of you still on the treadmill.

Janefx40 · 14/04/2021 20:20

@nightslugs I'm glad you asked about how to come to terms with being a family of 3 because I think that is something I need to start preparing for. Realistically at 44 with known fertility issues, it is unlikely we will have another.

One thing I would say is that our DD is 27 months and life is very different to how it was a year ago. I can see that having a single child is reasonably easy - having more than one is hard work. I can personally imagine that my relationship with DP would potentially be better if we don't have another child, we will be financially better off and life will get settled and "normal" again soon. So those are the things on my list as the advantage of having just one.

Anyone got anything to add to the list?

Janefx40 · 14/04/2021 20:21

@nightslugs also welcome and sorry that you are also going through these same struggles x

nightslugs · 15/04/2021 14:31

Thanks for welcoming me onto the thread @Janefx40. I’m sorry to hear about your miscarriage last year & your most recent round not working out. I feel like I ‘know’ you a little as I have lurked on these forums for years (rarely post & name change often) and recognise your name from the conception threads. I also remember you @Florafoxtrot. Hope that doesn’t sound too weird(!)

It feels a lot less isolating to know there are many of us in the situation.

It’s useful to know how things might be different in a year too Jane. I agree with all of your points about things being settled, less frantic & having a good intimate relationship with our partner. We have just bought a house to do up as a project- I’m not sure that’s the most helpful way of dealing with being unable to have more DC, but we want DD to grow up in a nice house & for us to have a good life.

I hope you’re able to have a discussion with your DH @Donimo, and I’m sorry your round didn’t work out. I think you were brave to answer as you did to your colleague @Coco24. I just end up internally rolling my eyes.

My 40th birthday was only last month, but it has made me reflect on what I thought my life would be like at this age, and I guess it just feels bittersweet. Solidarity ladies Daffodil

Donimo · 15/04/2021 18:20

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I have booked a counselling session, but no appointments available for a month.

@jolly86 we have had a few more conversations with people and just trying to find out more information about the best way forward. They did change my meds halfway through treatment and I stimmed for 17 days and still nothing! Im not sure if i want to go through it all again with so little chance of success. So we also have a consultation booked next week to discuss donor eggs.

@Janefx40 I am so sorry for your miscarriage and recent failed IVF. How are you doing now? Those contacts for donor eggs would be appreciated, thank you. In relation to your concerns the information the clinic emailed me states no wait for frozen UK donor eggs (ill wait to see how true this is). And in the UK once a child reaches 18 they can contact the donor.

@Coco24, people can be so insensitive. I almost burst into tears the other day when picking my DD up from nursery the nursery worker said "she has been helping with the babies today, and will make an excellent big sister when mummy has another baby". What packages are you considering?

@nightslugs I am also wondering whether to try to come to terms with being a 3 person family is the best option

Changechangychange · 15/04/2021 23:21

Can I join? Ashermans and low ovarian reserve since my early 30s. Had three non-ivf miscarriages in a row after the Ashermans was properly treated, then had DS via c-section when I was 38. Off contraception since then and nothing, went for investigations last year (covid delays) and Ashermans has obliterated my uterus again - I’ve just had more surgery, and the obstetrician isn’t optimistic (though at least my Fallopian tubes are open again now). I’m 41 now, and with an inhospitable womb, and crap eggs, it’s not looking positive.

Wondering how much money to throw away on IVF. I desperately desperately want another sibling for DS. I’d happily use donor eggs. I’m just not actually sure my uterus can support a pregnancy - with DS I had loads of placental problems and I was in hospital being monitored from 30 weeks, and I couldn’t bear to go through rounds of ivf to end up with a stillbirth.

DH is happy with one, and was traumatised by the high risk pregnancy with DS (there were a few times we thought he’d die). He’s ok with IVF in theory, but I know he won’t go through rounds and rounds of it.

Coco24 · 16/04/2021 00:07

Welcome @nightslugs and sorry to hear of your struggles and having to come to terms with not having any more. It must be hard when you would be willing to do more rounds but your OH doesn't want to.

I think i am the one that is more keen to do it all again than my husband, he has said we will do it and he would love another but he doesn't want to spend crazy money and years doing it when we have our DD to enjoy which is fair enough although i know i will find it hard to stop and accept it if it doesn't work.

We are still looking in to the different packages, i didn't realise how many there are and the costs, i rather naively thought we would just choose one at the clinic we used before, we were at Oxford and they were brilliant so we were keen to go there but my husband phoned to ask for prices and it wasn't quite as straight forward, online one of the options said starting from £9k but in actual fact at Oxford it was over £20k, i didn't realise how the cost varied between some clinics so we are now looking at all clinics within reasonable distance, looking at their prices, what they offer, success rates etc... and go from there, its a headache.
My husband said we might just have to go with a 2 cycle one, which is great and doing any is worth it but i am worried 2 just won't be enough, it took 3 the first time and we have no frosties, i was hoping we could do at least 3 to give us the best chance but its looking unlikely.
Makes me realise even more how lucky we were first time to get funding on the NHS, the money side of things is just so horrible, i hate how much it all costs just to even try to have a baby when for others it just comes to easily, it's so cruel.

I think that is partly why i am braver and speak up more now, when we were going through IVF for our DD we only told close family, no one else knew and i didn't want to talk about it but since having her i have felt braver to speak about it and share how hard it all is, i think people need to know it isn't easy for everyone, so if someone asks if i will have more i am honest.
I also hate it when people say how lucky i am to have one at all, i am incredibly lucky and grateful to have my DD i know that, but it doesnt always feel that way when you're being baby bombed left, right and centre from people planning perfect age gaps or suprise pregnancies, when they smile and say oh yes but your lucky you have one at all, i think having to do IVF isnt what i would call lucky.

I have told one of my collegues about being careful when speaking of siblings to the children, i work in a nursery and a collegue did something similar to what happened to you @Donimo, the conversation of babies was brought up by one of the children and my collegue said to her would you like a brother or sister, you should ask mummy for one when she comes! I cringed and said i'm sorry but can you please not do that, you dont know their situation so dont assume they want or can have more children so sending their child home to 'ask' for a sibling is unfair.
I understand that if you've not been through it you can't even begin to imagine the struggle but i think people should at least be a little mindful that things aren't easy for everyone.

I've actually since having my DD and returning to work found out that lots of the children i look after are IVF babies, and this may sound strange but it makes me smile when i see them as i know what it took for them to be here.

Gosh aren't i just a ray of sunshine tonight Blush sorry about that i didnt realise how much i was ranting.

FlowersCake to all you lovely ladies, i had forgotten how nice it is to chat with people who understand.

@donimo sorry to hear you have to wait a month for your counselling session. I hope your appointment next week about donor eggs helps give you more information about your options.

Xxx

Coco24 · 16/04/2021 00:14

@Changechangychange welcome, sorry i only just saw your post after i posted!
I'm so sorry to hear what you have been through that must of been so hard and scary. I can see how you are torn with what to do about trying again.
I hope i'm not being rude but may i ask what Ashermans is? I don't know what it is sorry xxx

Changechangychange · 16/04/2021 10:44

Thanks @Coco24. Asherman’s is intra-uterine adhesions - originally from previous miscarriages, and now from the c-section. Essentially the uterus walls are stuck together. My Fallopian tubes were blocked by the scar tissue, and now after surgery there is still not much “healthy” uterine lining for an egg to implant into. So I have much higher risk of miscarriage or placental failure if I do get pregnant.

Janefx40 · 16/04/2021 12:54

Hi @Changechangychange it sound so tricky and always hard to know whether to try or not. It's so hard to find a surrogate in the UK but is this something you would consider?

@Coco24 I have found IVF very different this time and I don't feel it was taken my headspace away from my DD. It has taken my time of course. My DP feels it more though. He feels like this cloud is hanging over us while we try for a sibling whereas I feel happy that we are trying. Having 1 does make me happy but equally I feel a greater sense of responsibility to give her the best life possible which would ideally mean having a sibling.

@Donimo the FB page is called UK IVF egg Donors and recipients. It's a private page but you answer a few questions and they let you join. I learnt a bit just from reading posts. The support group is called the donor conception network. DCN. www.dcnetwork.org

Let us know how you get on xxx

Ellybeee · 22/04/2021 16:53

@Giraffephan I always wanted to have more than one child and we have 2 now, both concieved via IVF ( third and fourth try). If a part of your struggle was the money issue, like in our case, have you considered travelling abroad for IVF? This is what we did and cannot be any happier about our decision.

Giraffephan · 11/05/2021 13:43

Hey sorry I haven’t been back for a while.
I had a chat with DH and we have decided not to go for IVF again. I just don’t feel I can cope with it mentally and don’t want to waste DD’s childhood worrying about drugs, egg collections and success rates. We feel incredibly lucky to have our darling girl and want to enjoy every moment.
Thanks for all the comments and replies. Infertility really does suck and is so unfair. Wishing everyone luck with their journeys.

OP posts:
Janefx40 · 11/05/2021 14:11

Hi @Giraffephan lovely to hear from you and well done for making a decision. I find all of this so hard but I'm hoping that once we finally make the decision to stop trying, I will (after a period of grieving) feel relief that we can start to move on with our lives.

I'm inspired by your courage at making that decision and hope I can be as brave

Sending lots of love

Xxx

florafoxtrot · 11/05/2021 14:50

Also so inspired by making such a brave decision @Giraffephan. Your DD is a very very lucky girl.

nightslugs · 11/05/2021 20:59

Thanks for the update @Giraffephan
I'm wondering if making the decision is a relief in itsel.

I meant to reply to @Coco24. It's actually been ok that OH hasn't wanted to do more IVF- I can completely understand why. I think if we didn't have DD it would be really tough, but having her makes it easier. I haven't wanted to push it, and maybe it because I feel more ok about it than I thought? In some ways I'm relieved we don't have to go through it again. It would have been lovely to have 2 DC, but there are no guarantees and similar to the OP, I just want to focus on what we have.

Best of luck on all your journeyThanks

Coco24 · 11/05/2021 22:34

@Giraffephan well done for coming to such a brave decision, it can't have been easy. Enjoy every minute with your DD she is a lucky girl.

@nightslugs i am glad you feel some relief and you and your OH both feel the same, again enjoy your little one, she too is a very lucky girl.

I really hope that one day if things don't work out on my next journey that i can find the courage to be as brave as you ladies and decide when enough is enough and feel comfortable with it.

Sending you all lots of love
Flowers

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