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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.

Original poster

Natural IVF

11 replies

AlexandraMum · 18/04/2022 16:00

Hi girls, my husband and I are trying to have a baby since Sep 2020. But unfortunately I have been found with several problems such as:

  1. PCOS on one ovary only, for which I take Letrozol to ovulate on that ovary
  2. Cyst and thin lining for which I did a hysteroscopy in June 2021
  3. Endometriosis and uterine scar tissue for which I did an operation few days ago.
My gynaecologist at Portland told me that my only way to have a baby is via IVF. I wanted to do IUI but he said it waste of money and time. I did some research and I would like to take natural ivf considering that I ovulate in one ovary and with Letrozol I ovulate even on the one with pcos. Plus I hate medication and injections. I know I wouldn't be able to deal with the standard style of ivf. Did any of you experienced natural ivf and had a healthy pregnancy? Is the baby healthy? Are you healthy post ivf? I have an appointment with my doctor in few days as a follow up post operation and we will discuss the options but I would like to hear some comments from a girl who did natural ivf and not just from a doctor. Thanks for your help.
OP posts:
workingmomlife · 19/04/2022 06:22

I did natural modified IVF so added in tamoxifen tablets and a couple of injections - did a 3 cycle package and had twins. My twins are healthy (albeit they were premature but that's because they were twins) and I'm in the best shape I've ever been!

MabelG · 19/04/2022 08:32

@AlexandraMum IVF is a numbers game and whilst it does work for a few people, with natural IVF you are pinning all your hopes on that 1 egg fertilising and going through all the stages to become an embryo, therefore the chances of success will be a lot lower than with standard IVF where there are more eggs so more chances. I've done standard and natural modified which both involve medication and injections and I have a healthy baby and I am ok too.

Original poster
AlexandraMum · 19/04/2022 09:59

@workingmomlife

I did natural modified IVF so added in tamoxifen tablets and a couple of injections - did a 3 cycle package and had twins. My twins are healthy (albeit they were premature but that's because they were twins) and I'm in the best shape I've ever been!
That's great 😃 thanks for sharing.
OP posts:
Original poster
AlexandraMum · 19/04/2022 10:02

[quote MabelG]@AlexandraMum IVF is a numbers game and whilst it does work for a few people, with natural IVF you are pinning all your hopes on that 1 egg fertilising and going through all the stages to become an embryo, therefore the chances of success will be a lot lower than with standard IVF where there are more eggs so more chances. I've done standard and natural modified which both involve medication and injections and I have a healthy baby and I am ok too.[/quote]
I know that I put all my hopes in one embryo but I am terrified of pills and injections.
Plus I don't want multiple pregnancies. So with one embryo would work well for me.
I just hope that natural ivf will work for me to get pregnant.
With the pills and injections you took did you experience any changes in your body? Like weight, mood, size, health?

OP posts:
Original poster
AlexandraMum · 19/04/2022 10:02

@workingmomlife

I did natural modified IVF so added in tamoxifen tablets and a couple of injections - did a 3 cycle package and had twins. My twins are healthy (albeit they were premature but that's because they were twins) and I'm in the best shape I've ever been!
With the pills and injections you took did you experience any changes in your body? Like weight, mood, size, health?
OP posts:
Original poster
AlexandraMum · 19/04/2022 10:03

Is it true that ivf gives high risk of baby to have malformation and autism?

OP posts:
workingmomlife · 19/04/2022 12:18

@AlexandraMum

I didn't have any side effects as only a couple of injections and the whole process over in less than 2 weeks from starting to egg collection

I did do 5 rounds of IVF in total and yes did gain some weight but that's because I comfort ate through the stress of it all 😂

And no IVF doesn't increase the risk of autism etc - I've heard of a link between clomid and autism before but honestly there isn't enough studies to say for definite

MabelG · 19/04/2022 12:35

@AlexandraMum I have taken many different IVF drugs and the only one that gave me side effects was a drug called norethisterone which some clinics use to delay your period so they can time your cycle. I had to take it for 10 days and had mood swings while I was taking it. I did not experience weight gain. You will probably still need at least 1 injection with natural IVF which is the trigger shot so they can collect the egg at the right stage of development.

I understand it is a very daunting time, have a chat with your consultant who can hopefully put your mind at rest x

Original poster
AlexandraMum · 19/04/2022 21:09

Thank you girls. Xxx

OP posts:
Lola245 · 27/09/2022 20:44

@workingmomlife Amazing you have twins! It's very encouraging to hear. I'm considering natural IVF since conventional and mild haven't worked for me (well I had one okay cycle with conventional which resulted in 6 eggs and 2 blasts, but the FET failed. And my last two cycles have cancelled so it's getting worse). My AMH is 8 but I'm having fewer follicles - only 3 in my last cycle. So I'm wondering if natural IVF could be a route for us, but find the success rates a bit discouraging. I'm 40.

Could I ask - did you do regular high stims cycles before your natural cycles? What was your age and AMH/FSH when you were cycling? And why did you decide to go for natural? And what clinic were you? Create I assume?

Thanks so much!

workingmomlife · 27/09/2022 20:57

Hi there!

Did you do regular high stims cycles before your natural cycles?

I did 2 cycles of mild IVF on 225ml of Bemfola - first egg collection in the January and the second in the September. Both times 14 eggs but less than 1/3 fertilised with ICSI. Got 2 average blastocysts from each round. First FET BFN, second FET ruptured ectopic, third FET with a PGS tested mosaic was BFN

What was your age and AMH/FSH when you were cycling?

I started age 35/36 and AMH was 12.9

And why did you decide to go for natural?

Main factor was that my fertilisation rates were really poor. I was also running low on money but could do a 3 cycle package with ICSI and all drugs for £13k.
I also just wanted to try something different as it was clear going after more than a dozen follicles just wasn't working for me. I'm definitely a less = better quality woman!

In 2 cycles of natural modified I got 9 eggs - all fertilised and 4 top quality blastocysts - 2 being my twins so huge difference in outcome

Which clinic?

Yes I was with Create. Their ethos doesn't work for everyone but I was inclined to try it as nothing to lose and everything to gain

I would say though that whilst I didn't test my AMH again after the initial one just before my first egg collection by the 5th and final egg collection it was clear my body had had enough and follicle numbers and their response to stims was much harder to get

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