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.
It seems like there are a lot of new people recently so I might as well jump in too! This is a wonderful site and I hope it will be as helpful for me as it seems to have been for many others.
I just feel completely lost about this whole process and have no idea what our next step should be. We have been TTC for 4 years now. I had an HSG (all clear), lap about a year ago (stage 2 endometriosis), and have had 3 failed IUIs (femara and ovidrel - most recent one was last month). Im 35 and my husband is 36 so its not like we have tons of time to get this figured out. My vitamin D levels are on the low end and I've been taking supplements for 6 months but my most recent blood work shows the levels havent increased. On a more positive note, I have been able to control most of my endo symptoms fairly well by sticking to a gluten free diet (going on 6 months). Im not super strict about this but I do find that when I do consume gluten the pain returns quickly.
I would love to move on to IVF but our insurance doesn't cover any of the costs so Im not even sure if this is something we can realistically pursue (my husband and I are both educators). We have discussed it lots of times but if we move in that direction Im sure we would only be able to do it once and if it didn't work I think my heart may just collapse on itself.
I was so optimistic with the last IUI and I've tried to stay strong but this has been such a struggle for me. We dont seem to have a lot of faith in our current specialist so we are thinking of finding someone else. They couldn't even get our names right during our appointment for the IUI in December.
I just have no idea what to do at this point. Should we abandon our hopes and give up? Should we try a 4th IUI? New fertility clinic? Different meds? Acupuncture? From what I have found 4th IUIs for endo patients are typically not successful (I would love for someone anyone to prove me wrong). It doesn't help that at our 1st appointment our current specialist told us that we would have a baby, there wouldn't be any problems. WTH, doesn't he know how much of an impact those words have? What a mind game.
Does anyone have suggestions?
I just feel completely lost about this whole process and have no idea what our next step should be. We have been TTC for 4 years now. I had an HSG (all clear), lap about a year ago (stage 2 endometriosis), and have had 3 failed IUIs (femara and ovidrel - most recent one was last month). Im 35 and my husband is 36 so its not like we have tons of time to get this figured out. My vitamin D levels are on the low end and I've been taking supplements for 6 months but my most recent blood work shows the levels havent increased. On a more positive note, I have been able to control most of my endo symptoms fairly well by sticking to a gluten free diet (going on 6 months). Im not super strict about this but I do find that when I do consume gluten the pain returns quickly.
I would love to move on to IVF but our insurance doesn't cover any of the costs so Im not even sure if this is something we can realistically pursue (my husband and I are both educators). We have discussed it lots of times but if we move in that direction Im sure we would only be able to do it once and if it didn't work I think my heart may just collapse on itself.
I was so optimistic with the last IUI and I've tried to stay strong but this has been such a struggle for me. We dont seem to have a lot of faith in our current specialist so we are thinking of finding someone else. They couldn't even get our names right during our appointment for the IUI in December.
I just have no idea what to do at this point. Should we abandon our hopes and give up? Should we try a 4th IUI? New fertility clinic? Different meds? Acupuncture? From what I have found 4th IUIs for endo patients are typically not successful (I would love for someone anyone to prove me wrong). It doesn't help that at our 1st appointment our current specialist told us that we would have a baby, there wouldn't be any problems. WTH, doesn't he know how much of an impact those words have? What a mind game.
Does anyone have suggestions?
I will never give up. We may stop the IUIs and other pathways, but we will always be "trying", even if it never happens, at least we tried.
Don't give up! Think of how much sweeter our pregnancies will be when it's finally our turn!
Hang in there!
I will definitely look at other REs (thank you for validating this PokaDotGirl). Did any of you use IVF data on the CDC and/or SART websites to make your decision about which doctor to use?
Yes KandJ, my husband had all of the testing done and thankfully he is in great shape. But after talking with him last night he states that he really doesn't have much faith in this RE and wants to be tested again just to make sure.
I'm sorry Trying4ever, I know it can be so hard to not have answers. It took me 4 years to get the endo diagnosis and that was with me being crazy proactive and switching physicians multiple times. My original OB kept telling me I had an infections and kept writing me antibiotic prescription after prescription until I finally ended up in the ER which led to yet another incorrect diagnosis. We need to both keep trying. I appreciate your support!
Sorry if I confused you.. but I am really glad that im going to do IVF now.
whatever decision you make, it could still happen.. so sending hugs and prayers your way..
KattyPuppy - how did you decide which clinic to go to for your IVF? Have they been clear with your about anticipated costs? My current RE's office seems to cagey about prices and billing. Did you look at SART and CDC data about success rates before you selected a clinic?
I was just saying this based on this report which I felt made sense -
http://haveababy.com/fertility-information/ivf-authority/endometriosis-ivf-is-more-successful/
Actually, I'm from India and I plan to go to an infertility clinic there which is dedicated only for this purpose, and this place has been recommended by my current RE too. I have heard a few success stories from there. But to tell the truth, I don't know much in detail, just that this center is considered one of the best and also the fact that our RE has recommended is what we have based our hopes on.
I have just realized that zeroing in on one IVF centre itself is a daunting task.
The cost is pretty transparent and has been mentioned on the website.
I will be travelling next month for an initial consultation, and have to see what the RE says then. i could give you more info then if you are interested.