Hmm...that is tough. I am currently working on my Masters Degree and started it originally so that I could get a jump on it before we had a baby. Well 3 years later, I am 2/3 done and still no baby. IVF can be stressful but it is how well you manage the stress. I suffered from mild OHSS after my ER which laid me up for a few days but other than that, the meds didn't really make me ill or anything. If you think you can handle the stress of both, then I say to go for it! GL in whatever decision you make.

I wish I would have started earlier on and not waited until I was 38 years old to deal with IF and starting IVF. The research and RE's state that after the age of 35, things take a turn for the worse when it comes to fertility/conception. My RE was just telling me today that gynecologists are just now starting to use certain types of testing such as looking at FSH and estrogen levels as part of the yearly exam process so these types of issues can be discussed, planned for and decisions made earlier on...so a woman has a better idea of what her time frame is. I wish they would have done this for me many years ago. My poor sister (only 34yrs old) had so many female problems/issues over the past 3 or 4 years and when they FINALLY did some testing they found out she had already gone through menopause. Can you believe it? So to make my long rambling story short, if you can do it now, I say go for it. Don't get me wrong, I have a great career that I am very passionate about but I wished I had noticed a few other things sooner. Best of luck!!!

Lauri ;)

I went throug IVF last month and it just worked out that I was off from work and school and so I just stayed at home (I am currently getting my Masters and Teaching certification). We jumped into IVF a lot faster than I had planned as well, and because of it, we are pregnant and expecting our baby (or babies) to arrive somewhere around May 8th. This means that I have to put off my last two Masters courses for another semester because of when the babies are due but I could care less. Being a mom is the most important thing to me.

Going through IVF wasn't so terrible, but I can tell you that your first trimester is DRAINING. My bedtime has moved up two hours if I don't get an afternoon nap in. You just have to think what is the most important thing - especially since IVF doesn't always work the first, second or third time. Good luck with everything!

In many ways I felt the first cycle was the easiest. Maybe because I was working out a lot and had a many other things going on that kept pushing me forward. But, it is draining, physically and emotionally. Not to mention there are a lot of appointments plus the ER and ET. I found with all the cycles I was tired more, especially the week or ER. I think part of that is the trigger shot (hCG). I am not on my "A" game lets just say.

Only you know you and your body though and how you might handle the extra stress. I wouldn't say you get ill from the meds but you do get moody and tired (those are two common ones) Then if it works (praying it would) I heard the 1st trimester is tiring and if you get sickness then that too.

It depends on what you want to do first and would it upset you if getting pregnant put off getting your Masters.

I wish you the best of luck with what ever you decide!

We are in the same place as you with PCOS on my side and recently diagnosed male IF with DH. It is so frustrating! We are now trying to see what the insurance can cover as we don't have the money at this point to pay out of pocket for the IVF. I have no advice, just wanted to say "I'm there too."

In no uncertain terms, go with the IVF now. Your PHd doesn't have a biological clock, you on the other hand....

I've done IVF twice; first time back in June, resulted in a chemical pregnancy. Most recent time this past August resulted in a BFP.

I wasn't sick at all and didn't gain any weight, but I'm an exerciser and health conscious (despite my occasional whoofing of Oreos).

In my opinion, the IVF process wasn't that bad. I was petrified of it at first, but after going through it in June, I was like, wow, this isn't that big a deal, physically. Emotionally, is another story. For my second IVF, I had a change of attitude, I was like "this is a job, this is what I have to do do achieve my goal, let's do it, get it done, and what will be, will be", I left the emotion out of it. Now, I'm pregnant.

It took a lot of soul searching and constant self analization to get to that point, but I got there.

I don't think you should work on both at the same time. You can put your PHd on hold for a few weeks, it will still be there.

Best of luck!

I don't have a college degree but i do have the wisdom that age will bring.your classes and degree will be there when you are in your 60's, your fertility won't. I was diagnosed with low ovarian reserve and am now doing IVF with donor eggs. This will be my last IVF because of my age. don't wait, make your family your priority. they will be there for you much longer than a degree or any job.i have been at my job for 30yrs now and wish i had kept my family my priority instead.

I think the process of IVF can be stressful if you are uneducated. Yes there is ALOT of infoe about it and a lot of things that you as the women have to go through. I say if you have the support of a loving Hubby who is willing to understand that yes there will be days that you are not yourself and you need your space and he will be willing to give this to you, that is great. My Doc talked to us both about things for us to expect and it was great. Also you have this site to come to and ask question no matter how stupid they my sound to you but most of us have been there. I will tell you that the medication does effect your hormones so yes you will have some bad days where people will bug the HELL out of you.
I would think of it like this IVF is expensive and if you need to save for it then ma by finishing up your education is the way to go. If you have the money to go through with it and your body is telling you that you can not go another day with out a baby then maybe you should try. I wish nothing but the best of luck for you and hope that everything works out will.

I concur......... More education will always be there, but your eggs have an expiration date! I have put my doctoral work on hold too. I would rather have time to spend with my baby.

I say go for your baby!!

Just a note: REs tend to over exagerate the over 35 fertility downhill thing. My sis was 39 when she conceived, without meds. There is a woman who will turn 45 in one week who is 11 weeks pregnant after many, many, very man miscarriages. But she has miscarriages in her younger days too. She has just been prone to them all her days.

There is a web site, pregnancy and birth over 44. There are many women over 35 on there having babies.

Baby dust!

I went through IVF one year ago and had my baby in May this year. It was extremely stressful for us, emotionally, financially, and for me physically. I found that once I started the process it's all I could think about because I wanted it to work so badly. I'd do it again, and would put aside work, school, anything to get what I wanted the most which was to have a baby. I guess it comes down to what you want more.