Straight to IVF?

[NewtoSE]

Hi everyone,

I’m 36 and have been ttc for 6 months. I’ve just had my hormones tested and an ultrasound and everything looks ok for me. I have polycystic ovaries (not pcos) so I have a high number of eggs (but no guarantee of egg quality of course). My partner has 0% sperm morphology but otherwise normal sperm.

My gynaecologist has recommended that we see a fertility specialist as a next step and get their opinion on going straight to IVF or trying a few other things like IUI to get around the sperm issue. From what I can tell morphology is a bit controversial so it would be good to get a fertility specialist’s opinion on how important that even is.

my question though, is if it’s worth going to the specialist at all? I’m thinking about going straight to IVF, mostly because I would like to try and bank some eggs or embryos for a second child. Even If we got pregnant naturally soon then I’d be around 39 when trying for the second and I know that’s possible but I’d rather have younger eggs / embryos in the freezer if we need them.

I know IVF is a big deal though so would really appreciate any thoughts or shared experiences. For context we are thinking about doing IVF in Spain.

And if anyone has thoughts on whether it’s still worth seeing the fertility specialist in the UK that would be really helpful. I guess it can’t hurt but I don’t want to pay £250 (we have to go private) for nothing if we are just going to go straight to IVF in Spain anyway.

thanks for your help!

I would personally just skip IUI. It works for some people but IVF/ICSI obviously has much higher chances. Plus - as you say - if you're lucky enough to have some in the freezer, they'll be frozen at your current age. I was offered IUI privately and declined for the above reasons. I did IVF on NHS and was successful with my first transfer, with others frozen. Whatever happens, its reassuring and takes the pressure off a bit for number 2 (although I know its not guaranteed).

Also just to say that IVF was fine for me. I know I had it easy (because it worked) but I had no side effects, and actually felt like the most annoying part was trying to attend the appointments around my day job. I know i was lucky but you might be too :-)

I would go straight to IVF if you want more than 1 child. At 36 you'll.hopefully only need 1 cycle and have your baby with a few embryos in the freezer. Those embryos will have a higher chance of being genetically normal vs using eggs from when you'll be 39.

I've done 1 cycle of IVF and I felt fine. It wasn't successful (no genetically normal embryos) which is the hard part so on to cycle 2. Which is why I also think better do it when your younger and hopefully you'll only need that one cycle.

I would go straight to IVF but not before getting your DH properly checked out - he needs to do a DNA fragmentation test and if that comes back high a urologist. It’s so important to do this before starting ivf @NewtoSE

Thanks for the replies, everyone! Really appreciate the input. Seems like there are benefits to doing IVF as young as possible. We will definitely check the DNA fragmentation too.

Hi all,
I have been TTC for 10 years with no luck.
All tests have come back normal for me and my DH has low sperm morphology 2% but dr's have reassured us we could still get pregnant, we do not qualify for IVF on NHS so currently saving for private IVF.

Would love to hear some positive stories and recommendations from people in similar circumstances