Infertility Support Group

In vitro fertilization is one of the most common and utilized ways of treating conception problems. This support group is dedicated to those beginning their journey with IVF and needing support. Join the community and share your experiences, advice, and story with people going through similar challenges starting a family.

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lovinsbobo 07/31/2011

Hi Everyone! I am 33 about to be 34 in a few months, DH is 42. I had a miscarriage about a year(July 2010) ago since then DH and I have not used any protecion during intercourse(in hopes to acheive pregnancy) and for the last 7 months we have been actively TTC(basal temps, OPK's, and all that jazz) and according to the OPKs, it appears that I am ovulating. So in my opinion that would be TTC for 1 year...but we have not had any luck with acheving pregnancy. I have Not had any testing done and neither has DH, and I am learning that I do not think our insurance covers infertility testing ect... DH and I were hoping to have more then one child before I am 40 and before he is 50. Part of me wants to continue to TTC naturally for a couple of more months and the other part feels that I need to be more proavtive about testing ect but I am scared of the costs of all the infertility tests and or treatments. So, I am curious as to what some of you might do if in this situation. IF isnt exactly something I thought I would have ever needed to start a savings account for, if I would have known ten years ago I would be having problems TTC I would have started saving then(I can imagine many of you can relate)Thank you for taking your time out to help:) as I do know you all have your own battles with IF deal with.

deleted_user 07/31/2011

I understand completely. we were in a similar sitiation. we had been trying for about 1.5 years, and finally broke down and went to see an RE. we went and just got tested. everything was normal on both our end, so we tried for another year naturally. My insurance does not cover infertility, but it did cover all the testing. the hsg, first ultrasoind, DH sperm test, were all covered. I would double check with your insurance on that. i do regret waiting a year after the testing to go back. i am going to be 36 in feb. , and just got through our second unsuccessful iui. we never ever dreamed this would happen, and frankly refused to believe something wasnt right until this past year. I just wish I would have done something sooner. You have to do what you are most comfortable with, but from our experience, i wish we didnt wait. good luck to you!

deleted_user 07/31/2011

Same here, 38 me and 46 DH. TTC for 3 years now and BFP in year one, first four months but natural m/c about week 7 or 8. Fast forward three years and saw a RE in Jan, 2011. Have done 3 IUI's and taking meds as I'm running out of time with what I have to work with (eggs). Never thought we'd be here which is why we waited soooo long to see a specialist. So far all things ok medically which is worse but better depending on my mood:-) If a BFN next week then will do a HSG (1100 out of pocket) and adding injectibles to a 4th IUI~~nothing covered except a break in some of the meds, but not all. Go with what you feel you can do. My main point with my DH is that I don't want any regrets. I stopped smoking in January after my first RE visit and haven't looked back and its helped show my DH how committed I am to getting PG and also showed myself how much I want this.

lovinsbobo 08/01/2011

Thank you both for your responses! I definitely do not want any regrets in all of this. Still not exactly sure what to do. I have been thinking about it ALL weekend. I think I am going to get and HSG, not sure if my insurance will cover it, but I sure hope so! If not, hopefully I can do some sort of payment plan. Good Luck to you both!!!

cwhit 08/01/2011

I think it dosent hurt to go to doctor n have testing done. Bc their could be sumthing wrong an yall not know it.Most insurances will work with you on the fees. An i do wish yall both the best!

deleted_user 08/01/2011

Have you done the "clomid challenge test" ? That is the first one I had, and it's just taking clomid for 5 days (which is cheap), with bloodwork in between. It was the cheapest way to start, to check your LH, Progesteone, and Estrogen levels. Before she perscribed the clomid, DH had to be tested. Once that came back normal, then I did the Ultrasound and HSG.

lovinsbobo 08/01/2011

No...I have not done anything yet. I talked to my OBGYN and she said since my LH levels were strong enough to show up on an OPK that was good! And then she gave me the number to an IF specialist. So that is where I left off. We chatted about DH being tested and I told her he was not wanting to take that route at this point and then we chatted about an HSG and both agreed it might be a good thing to do...but I am still unsure about it all. UGH, when do I decide to jump into the IF testing?!!? This is all so stressful! I keep going back and forth...maybe I should wait a few months, but I dont want to be sorry either...I mean I guess if I wait a few months it would not be that big of a deal. At this point if I can get pregnant one time and it be a successful pregnancy I would be happy!

deleted_user 08/01/2011

The main reason we did all the testing was to put our minds at ease. Knowing everything was normal made it easier to try for another year naturally. (even though it didn't work) Added stress to the process just makes it 10 times worse. DH was all behind the testing, but after everything was normal he would not go back to the RE until this past spring. It takes time, and you will know when you are ready.

deleted_user 08/01/2011

Run, don't walk, to a RE!! We all want to give it more time and give nature a chance to do us right, but the truth of the matter is time=eggs. There is nothing wrong w/going to a RE for testing... well except for how much it costs, but most RE's will start cheap. First they will have your husband do a semen analysis which is about $100-$150. Next they will do an ultrasound and blood work on you. They will probably suggest an HSG. Call your insurance company and see what they can do for you.
I think most of us can honestly say we regret not going to our RE's sooner. I know I do. Denial is a tricky thing. The experts say that a diagnosis of IF is made after one year of unprotected sex w/o the result of pregnancy-- but I think this is before age 30. Good luck, I really hope you look into all of this sooner than later.

deleted_user 08/01/2011

I understand. I am 33 and my husband is 37. We were TTC for two years (2006-2008) before we ever went to our doctor. We found out that my levels were very low and didn't respond to the Clomid very well- and my husband had poor sperm maturity. We were told that IVF or adoption were our best chances of having a family. In 2009 we both lost our jobs within a week of one another so we never did any further testing. We found out 5-25-11 that we were pregnant and miscarried three weeks ago (they figure we lost at around 15 weeks). So far the tests that were run have come back with no answers (which is good as far as there are no abnormalaties or infection) and we're waiting on some more to come back. At least we now know that we can conceive (I feel bad saying that on an IF group), as do you since you've conceived in the past. Most insurance will cover testing to find out the cause, but they won't cover additional testing/procedures. Some depends on how your medical office codes it as well. IF isn't something any of us plan for. Think of it this way, you can still TTC naturally while you are waiting for a doctor's appointment or for any testing. Good luck to you!

deleted_user 08/01/2011

I was in the exact same boat. Positive OPKs, regular periods the whole bit. We kept ttc for 11 months and in hind site it was a huge mistake. I should have gone in sooner. We didn't know it but at that time there was no way that we would have ever gotten pregnant on our own. We felt like we just wasted our time and money on hpts and OPKs. Emotionally it was alot tougher on us without a doctor's help. Now that we know what our issues are and what options we have we at least have hope that it will happen for us one day soon. Good luck and I hope you get a bfp soon.

deleted_user 08/01/2011

From my experience, a lot of insurance companies will cover the diagnosis testing, but not the treatment once diagnosis is made. I'm in a different situation because I don't ovulate, but I'm in month 6 of my IF diagnosis testing, and they still have no idea what's wrong with me. It can take a while to run the gamut of tests, and I agree with cimmaron, time=eggs. You will definitely regret not seeing a RE if you wait and find out you missed your window of time.

deleted_user 08/01/2011

I was just like u scared of costs of these tests.Plus everyone around kept saying I wasnt being patient enought but I knew something wasn t right. I was trying for a yr with on misscarriage when i went to doc. She started with blood work on the 3rd of my period. The test came back that I have high prolactin level cause from a pituarty tumor. Was put on meds its now lowered. Been On it awhile but still nothing. So I just had hsg done. It came back that I have one blocked tube. And my dh is getting sperm tested tomorrow. Im so glad i didnt listen to anyone and got tests done that way I know where I stand plus it getts u closer to a baby hopefully.My insurance covered all these tests so u may want to check with your insurance. Good luck

lovinsbobo 08/01/2011

Thank You ALLL SO much for your honest responses and opinions. People keep saying be patient, dont think about it or worry about it and it will happen, or just relax...LOL! So very frustrating to hear that. I had someone tell me this weekend that she just relaxed and finally got pregnant after 4 years of TTC and I asked how old were you when you started TTC? and she responded with 19! In my opinion, I dont have four years to just relax and see what happens! I wish the best for everyone on here and really hope and pray all your dreams of TTC will come true!!!

deleted_user 08/02/2011

When I started my IF journey, my insurance didn't cover any infertilty treatment, so I went to my regular family doctore and explained my situation to her. She was able to run a lot of bloodwork and tests under general billing - woman problems, etc instead of infertilty so it was covered. Since then my employer switched insurance companies that covered IF, so I lucked out there.

The one thing I learned is that you should have all bloodwork done - even Vitamin levels and make sure the get your thyroid checked. It's amazing how much the thyroid can affect your fertility and the ability to substain a pregnancy. These test can be done as a regular check up and not under IF treatment also.

deleted_user 08/02/2011

Hi Lovinsbobo, some insurances dont cover IF treatments but do cover diagnostic, talk to your insurance and double check ... knowing what you are fighting against might help you make the right decision.
Good luck!!!

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