IVF aged 39 …. Should I continue?

[Confused19831983]

I have never posted on here before but desperately seeking advice and experiences from other women who are in or have been in a similar situation to me.
I am 39 and in the midst of my first round of IVF. Prior to this I was TTC with my best male friend via home insemination for one year (understand this is unusual and posting here to find out about other women’s experiences of IVF not TTC in this way)!!!
Was disappointed it didn’t work but also thought, well, predicting ovulation is not an exact science and I am not doing this in a conventional way so not necessarily reflective of ability to get preg. Decided on IVF due to age.
At last testing I had an AMH of 1.47 / 10.5 (weirdly six months earlier it was 0.9 / 6.4) and AFC of 14.
However, I have had a very poor response to stims. On day seven just 3 follicles of decent size growing. I am on three ampules of Menopur (which I think is a low dose).
I have a fairly healthy lifestyle, am ideal weight, don’t smoke, supplements, exercise, reduced coffee and alcohol (no alcohol at all during cycle). I will admit I haven’t been a total angel unlike a lot of women whose posts I have read!!
I don’t think I have the stomach (no pun intended, ha ha), for multiple failed cycles.
From what I have read it gets very difficult after the age of 40 and I am 40 soon.
Not even sure whether to go ahead with this cycle or not, and just wondered if anyone had a similar response to me on first try and had success or failure during subsequent rounds?
Like a lot of young people I had a very stressful job, fast paced lifestyle, drank and smoked far too much, partied and worked very hard until my early 30s and worry damage to my eggs has been done.
If you have read this far thanks so much and good luck with your fertility journey if you are on one X

I'm also 39 and have not long finished my second cycle. AMH was 4.2, max stims and only 3 follicles grown. My clinic said I could abandon the cycle but I decided to continue against all the odds and they collected 9 eggs and 9 were mature, everyone was so surprised. In the end I ended up with 1 5AA blast transferred with nothing to freeze but felt so grateful to have something. I am now pregnant with that blast and saw the heartbeat yesterday at 7 weeks. The girl in the cubicle next to me at 21 eggs collected and had one lower quality to transfer and 1 to freeze so it really is a lottery.

I wish you all the best with your IVF Journey

I had ivf at 39, amh seriously low, 3 AF! I got pregnant and had my dd at just before my 41st birthday. It’s definitely worth doing if you are able and really want children

I was quite naive going into IVF at 40. I just assumed it would work first time because I needed ivf due to being in a same sex relationship. I had an amh of 19 and afc of 21. First round of 18 follicles, 11 eggs, 3 blasts (4aa, 2x 4bc) all bfn.

Ivf is a numbers game and most women will need multiple cycles especially as we get older and our egg quality decreases. If you want this, be prepared for multiple cycles ( I bought an access package). The first cycle is often described as the test cycle because no one knows how your body will respond to stims until you start. Based on your current response they will probably up your dosage on further rounds.

It can and does work for older women, I'm currently 31 weeks pregnant from round 2 at age 41.

I think you're very brave for following your dream of becoming a mom even if its not the conventional way. I would encourage you to keep trying, IVF is a bit of a numbers game. And for some of us it takes even longer.

I did one cycle with Menopur and had less eggs than with other stims. I would try a different medicine, people response different to others.

Even some women react better with the long stim cycles, for me it was worse but I know others who were successful with other ones. Need fo find the one that works best for your body.

Don't give up.

Hi - a bit late to this but just to say I have a similar profile to you - I’m 38 and low AMH (1.6). I’m on my second cycle (first one got 4 eggs, one high grade blast, which sadly failed to implant). My dr actually was pretty pleased with that response - with low AMH like ours, numbers will be on the low side but it only takes one….! Don’t give up.

I’m on a much higher dose than you - 300 Gonal F and 150 Menopur - it is all a bit trial and error as to what you respond to but I think your stimulation dose sounds low for your AMH. Worth considering with your consultant.

I would encourage you to keep trying. But if you can't handle the stress on your mind and body of course you'll know to listen to your gut and do whats best for you.