Please or to access all these features

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

32 replies

anniz91 · 15/12/2021 14:34

Hi everyone

Me and my partner need to go through the IVF route to conceive.

I am just wondering is it worth to do it through the NHS? Since there is a massive backlog now due to COVID-19 I'm sure the waiting list is very long. We live in London.

We are now considering going through the private route, instead of waiting for years to get ivf treatment.

Has anyone done this or can anyone give advice regarding the above?

OP posts:
Janefx40 · 02/01/2022 23:51

@rllrsk8 ❤️

Muffinn · 03/01/2022 12:36

[quote Janefx40]@Muffinn I'm so sorry that you've been on a tough journey. 💐💐💐 No one can tell you when to stop because it's such a tough and personal decision. There are groups for women who don't have children but would like to and there is a charity I think too but I can't remember the name. You could look up the support that's available and talk to other women in a similar situation. That might help.

However I also want to say that you've only done one round of IVF and very few people succeed first time. I remember turning 40 and being childless and I know that it feels like your age is this terrifying and awful factor. But with good AMH, being 40 really isn't a fertility-death sentence. Yes fertility does decline quite quickly but you aren't at the end of the road age-wise just yet. I got pregnant from my second round of ICSI aged 41 and had my DD when I was nearly 42. It happens a lot. You'll be very far from the oldest at most IVF clinics.

I also want to say that very very few people ever get a clear diagnosis of why they're struggling to conceive, whether they are 25 or 40. And for those that do get a diagnosis, it often takes years of investigations. That doesn't mean that the only reason is your age and egg quality. Infertility is a long and complex road - clinics are sometimes very quick to blame egg quality when things don't work out. But unless they tested your embryos then they don't really know that any more than you do (and even if they tested that's not conclusive necessarily either).

Finally, it's not necessarily true that your egg quality can't be improved. A lot of people believe that specific diets and supplements can make improvements over time - it's not necessarily evidenced and some people think it's nonsense but I personally think there is something in it. I followed the book It Starts With an Egg and personally feel it made a difference this time around. However I would say that I didn't do any of that before my successful round. I'm 44 now so wanted to throw everything at it.

I've done 6 egg collection cycles, 3 transfers and a whole lot more so there's plenty more I could say but I don't want to overwhelm you.

So I just want to give you a virtual hug and say that you don't have to give up just yet. But if you feel that you want to stop then sending you lots of love and hope you find the support to take that step too xxx

[/quote]
Janefx, thanks so much for your kind words full of hope and understanding. It really means so much to me. I am not ready yet to give up although i would love to stop thinking about this all the time. But my therapist says it is impossible: as long as i am in the process and trying i can't stop thinking. I live in Serbia and here if you are 4o yrs old they practically don't give you any chances. Also when i see so many women much younger than me trying for the 3, 4th time, what can i hope for?
Anyway, to cut the story short, i wanted to thank you once again, you gave me hope that there is still chance for me and you gave me fresh perspective regarding embryo quality. I will probably try in another clinic, maybe they have better embryologists. I am so happy to hear sucesfull stories like yours. All the best! FlowersSmile

Janefx40 · 04/01/2022 17:02

@Muffinn I'm glad I brought you some hope and comfort. I think your therapist is right - it's not possible for most of us to stop thinking about this!

If you are looking for another clinic I would focus on the consultants and their treatment protocols rather than the embryologists. Of course embryology is important but the real skill is getting a good amount of eggs at the best possible quality. Lots of clinics just chuck the same amount of meds at everyone then see what happens but there are others that will tailor the dose more and do regular scans and blood tests to tweak meds during stims. There are also options such as testing testosterone and giving DHEA if necessary and human growth hormones, some clinics test the immune system and give steroids if needed or probiotics for the micro biome. I'm not necessarily recommending any of these - most are semi-experimental and it would depend on your situation. I'm just saying there is a whole world of different options out there so when looking for a clinic, look for one that is, at the very least, offering a reasonable amount of monitoring and personalised planning.

Best of luck

Xxx

NaomiNatNat · 08/01/2022 08:45

Ivf Long Protocol Success stories!?

Hi, I'm due to start treatment for ivf long protocol soon. I'm 36 with unexplained fertility Confused

Super nervous and worried about the whole thing and was hoping to read some positive outcomes to cheer me up BrewCake

Janefx40 · 08/01/2022 08:56

@NaomiNatNat Hiya. This is quite a quiet thread. You may want to join this one that has more people on it

IVF/FET Jan/Feb 2022
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/infertility/4391809-IVF-FET-Jan-Feb-2022

although bear in mind the thread will be full of women currently going through treatment so many of them won't yet have had success. But IVF does work.

Starting IVF is always a nervous time. I had all kinds of doubts and fears (and a full on tantrum refusing to do it briefly!). It will be fine. You'll get used to the meds and process very quickly.

There will be loads of people with successful long protocol stories - it's the normal protocol to do with younger women (yes in IVF terms you are younger at 36!). I did short because I was over 40 when I started and I can remember panicking about that - why had they put me on a short protocol? Did it mean they thought I was less likely to succeed? Etc etc. I had success from my second round and have a DD aged 3.

Best of luck and I recommend joining the other thread for more support. Xxx

NaomiNatNat · 08/01/2022 11:04

@Janefx40

Congratulations on DD!! 🎊 That's amazing! Thanks for this, I have a tendency to overthink and get anxious after googling the subject. I also had the tantrum for a good few months!! Until I finally got the courage to do it Lol had no idea the long protocol is for "younger" women Hmm I will check out the other thread.

Thanks so much for your reassuring kind words Flowers

Janefx40 · 08/01/2022 13:53

@NaomiNatNat I relate to the tantrum. Long protocol isn't specifically for younger women but when there is a lower ovarian reserve and follicle count or when FSH is higher they tend to use a short protocol which generally fits the profile of older women. But all ages can do both. There are other reasons for picking them all.

Yes at 36 you are far from old in the IVF world!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page