we had a male factor. I am 31 and pg with twins through Ivf with icsi first go. I also have a 9 yr old I had without help. The clinics policy (here in the uk) is to put 2 back only. I had 2 blastocysts transfered. To make sure I have the best chance. If the eggs reach blastocyst, the odds of getting pg really go up. There has been such success with blastocyst they are thinking of only allowing 1 to be transfered at this stage. I would think at your age only 2 blastocysts are wise, or you may end up with the painful decision of terminating some embryos.
The meds I took were buserelin and puregon
At least with a male factor, once they are transfered, surely there is more chance of a woman with no probs with her womb to carry the baby and have it stick than one with probs? just a thought?
I paid 500 (is that 250 dollars??)extra for blastocyst which is a 5 day transfer instead of 3 where they are further advanced and the embryologist can pick out the best quality. Out of my 25 eggs, 5 reached ths stage, 3 didnt look great(they can tell more at this point) and 2 were v good. They resulted in twins. Hope this helps

Crystal, welcome to DS, although I am sorry you are going through this. I have just completed my first IVF and am awaiting my results in the next 10 days. I too had to resort to IVF due to male factor infertility. Although it is an emotional journey, you have many things going for you. First, you are young. The younger you are the more likely it is for IVF to succeed. In your age group, the stats are much better. Second, you have had a child and therefore you know that there is not likely to be an issue with you. Third, you have insurance lucky you! Finally, you are dealing with male factor, for which there are things that can be done. If your DH has a complete blockage, which it sounds like, than you will most likely do something like TESE where they remove fresh sperm, followed by ICSI where IVF is achieved by manually fertilizing each egg with one sperm.
There are many protocols out there that your RE may put you on. I was on a long protocol where I started on birth control pills, baby aspirin and pre-natal vitamins. Then a Suprefact shot, which suppresses the system, was added. The BCP is stopped and you have your period, followed by a suppression check. If all is well, then you start taking stimulants. I was on Repronex and Gonal F shots. Lots of blood work and ultrasounds later, you take a trigger shot 36 hours before the egg retrieval, followed by an egg transfer either 3 or 5 days later.
Good luck with your journey!

Welcome to DS Crystal! I am sorry you need to go through this process, but am glad to hear they were able to get some sperm. I pray the results are good.
Depending on what the results of his tests are, I would think they would do IVF with ICSI (that is when they inject the sperm into the follicle.
The IVF process went like this with us:
We did a class on how to give injections. We both got to practice giving me shots of saline solution. We also signed what seemed like papers on a house! It was all the legal stuff. We got a folder full of information and the basic instructions for my meds.
The doctor placed an order with a pharmacy that specializes with infertility. I got a big box in the mail and was a bit overwhelmed at first.
I also met with an anesthesiologist to discuss my the egg retrieval.
Then on day 21 of my cycle I went in for lab work. They were testing progesterone levels to be sure I ovulated. I got a call that night telling me to start Lupron shots the next morning. That supresses the hormones. After being on that for 10 days AND having my period, I went in for baseline testing. That is ultra sound, Estradiol and Progesterone. I got a call that night to start my stimulation medications. They help produce a lot of follicles. Around day 7 of stimulation meds (I used Gonal-F) and a lower dose of Lupron, I went in for another U/S and lab work. I got a call that night with instructions to continue what I was doing. Over the next few days I went in a few more times for the same tests until day 10. That night I got a call telling me I was to take hCG shot (to trigger ovulation) and a time to go in for egg retrieval (exactly 36 hours later).
I was given anaesthesia for ER. I had a tough time with ER and experienced a lot of pain. BUT, most women don't. I have other medical conditions that probably made it worse. The woman in the bed next to me declined pain meds and was up walking around before she left.
We were told they retrieved 19 follicles.
I was taking an anitibiotic and Medrol to keep from getting an infection and to keep swelling down. I also started taking one baby aspirin a day and Estrace (estrogen).
The next day I received a call that 13 of the 19 matured and 12 of the 13 fertilized normally. I think I started my progesterone shots the day after ER too.

Three days after the ER we went back for the egg transfer (ET). We put two nice 8 cell embryos back in me. They reviewed all the embryos before hand and suggested the two we use. They also gave us a picture of them.
We knew before going in that they would suggest how many we use and it would probably be two, based on my age. But, it would also depend on the quality of the embryos.

We waited the two weeks until my beta test. Unfortunately it came back that I was not pregnant. We grieved. Then I went back to ER to discuss how to proceed.
She made some changes to my medications for the second IVF round, which I am in the beginning of right now. She added Repronex (another stim med) to this cycle. I will go in the day after Thanksgiving for baseline U/S and labs and then start stim meds.

It is normal to obsess, especially since this is your first time doing it. The unknown can always be a bit scary. But, we are all here for you.

Lioness81 and I had almost the same regimen (her second round), but I just had my first ET. I had some medium cramping upon waking after ER, but they gave me some meds and it went away. They also gave me a prescription to take home. I filled it, but only took one late afternoon. Blessings to you during whatever the doctor chooses for you and your DH.

hi-DH and I are about to do IFV, we also have male factor. I have a new ins plan so, that won't kink in unil '08. SO just waiting now. It was not any easy choice but here we are. If you decide to do IVF, maybe we'll start our cycles at the same time. Good luck

My husband and I are just starting this journey as well. I just wanted to wish all the best for you.

Thank you so much for your support. I am just waiting to get going, and to find out whats next. Just waiting for hubby to call his doc for all the info.
I am so afraid!!! Of the shots... of multiples.... of failure.
I am sure you all felt the same way. I am hoping we will start this before December. I am very irregular with my cycle, I do ovulate. So i dont know.
Ill keep you updated.
Thanks !!!!