How soon to start IVF?

[Englishrose35]

I realise we are very lucky as our NHS funding for IVF has come through very quickly but I wanted to get some opinions.

I'm 35 and we have been TTC for 10-months. Had investigations privately early on and then referred into NHS. I have PCOS with variable cycles (last one was 38 days!) and DH has low motility 30% and borderline morphology. If we don't conceive naturally, next step is IVF probably ICSI.

Part of me doesn't want to go into IVF "too soon" (we have to start NHS cycle within 6months of funding approval) in case we do conceive naturally. The other part of me thinks if it hasn't happened by now and with the known issues we should just crack on... especially as we only get 1 NHS cycle in our area.

What do you think??

I'm thinking there will be abit of a delay anyway to start so we should just go for initial appointment and then go from there. Probably will be at the 1 year mark by the time we actually start.

It just feels abit "too soon" but we are lucky and I think they may have speeded things up because known issues on both sides.

Thanks for any advice and support!

If I were you, I would just get cracking with IVF. You’ve been trying for 10 months already, if you get the ball rolling now I would imagine that by time you actually start the drugs it’ll be around a year of TTC and in your mid 30s things start to decline.
At the same time, you have to feel mentally, emotionally and physically ready and a few months won’t make a huge difference so if you want to take a couple months to ‘prepare’ then you should.

(I’m saying this having just completed my second ivf round and also spent a lot of time debating when the right time to start was).

I agree I would get cracking now you've had the tests and approval. I tried naturally for 3 years hoping it would work and we wouldn't have to go through IVF. I really feel like I wasted those years and I'm now on cycle 3 of IVF..... x

I started trying naturally at age 33, after paying privately for numerous tests there appeared to be nothing wrong. I was referred for IVF who again couldn’t find any reason why myself and partner couldn’t conceive. I waited several years before seeing my GP for a referral, we started IVF at 38 and had our miracle baby at 40 (he’s 9 weeks old and absolutely perfect 😍)
Looking back I wish I’d visited the GP and started IVF sooner. If I’d listened to all results stated ‘there’s nothing wrong’ I’d still be trying naturally now.
I would love another baby but now feel I’m too old.
In my area I know a couple who have already waited 15 month and still not been seen.
Only you can decide when the time is right for you.
Good luck x

Absolutely crack on. There are no guarantees with ivf. We started more than a year ago with no fertility issues, just an early-30s same sex couple. 14 months, two egg collections, two miscarriages later, we are currently waiting my to see if our fifth embryo has implanted.

Plenty of time in the waiting parts in between to keep trying naturally. But if you've got the funding, crack on.

Honestly don’t delay ! I was told I needed assistance 3 years ago and I’m still not started and that’s plus private route. It’s a long process with delays etc

get it moving ,you can continue to try in the meantime xx

Without being glum things only get harder the older you get, I would get started now.

Hi - I would get it done now as IVF is a long process - I had my embryos frozen and won’t be having the transfer for a few months due to other health problems - I’m sure you can ask them to do that if your not feeling immediately ready ! But I would do it now in case you don’t get enough eggs the first time you may need a second round … then you will have to wait months to heal from the first time and before you realise it many months have passed xx