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.
Next month my infertility clinic is going to have a clinical research trial on on natural cycle IVF - this includes the same retrieval process and fertilization process as IVF, but without you taking any drugs. I am 29 years old and my egg quality is good, my husband has low sperm count and motility. The expense of this all would be covered by my dr.'s office. Questions is, has anyone else done this or does anyone have any opinions on this? At first I was all for it with no doubts when he told me about it, but now I am just wondering if it's worth the time since no fertility drugs will be given to me to produce more eggs and better quality eggs. I'm just very unsure of which way I should proceed. If I decide not to do it I still could have more IUI's done, this time around with injectables, but that too may or may not work. Any thoughts would really be appreciated!
I would think since DH's sperm is your issue that you are a great candidate to try natural IVF. The point is to get the one egg you produce every month and the fertilize that one. The US aren't big on this process because of the cost associated with the retrival and transfert is the same as a stimulated cycle but you only get one egg. Since quality of the egg is what matters my clinic has a 40% succes rate with the process. The only thing I would look into is that you still have to take some meds, at least that's the case here.
If you've already done multiple IUI's and get to do it for free, I say go for it.this way, the can up your chances of fertilization with DH's sperm.
Good luck. I'm sure whatever you decide will be the right decision for you.
Here is an article on why: http://www.shadygrovefertility.com/natural-cycle-ivf
This is what drew me away the most: "Although these methods are described as patient friendly, proponents often advise that patients undergo multiple cycles with their repeat operation, anesthesia and cost of egg retrieval, in order to achieve a successful pregnancy. Repeating a procedure with a 7-10% success rates four or five times is NOT the same as doing a single procedure with 40 50% chance of delivery in one cycle. In addition, with one egg there is no possibility of additional embryos to cryopreserve for future use, embryos which retain their potential for pregnancy even if the mother experiences a further decline in fertility over time."
I am a mathematician. I know our odds. If the odds of success are 10% then it will take 6 cycles to get 53% of the patients a BFP. But, we all have about a 20% chance of miscarriage after that so it could even be lower. IVF is too emotional a journey and takes too much out of us to o through this 6 times without completely stripping our sanity (which of course can be regained with friends, meds, or a shrink...but...).
With regular cycle IVF about 95% of us will have a BFP. In just 2 cycles, over 80% of us will have a BFP.
For free? I would try it, why not? Otherwise I would only do this if I had a health reason why I couldn't take some of the meds.
Sounds like Roxy's clinic is much more advanced which is awesome. 40% is almost as high as the FET cycle I just did (45% success rate with a FET). :-)
@RoxyD I will find out about the meds - they made it seem like I wouldn't be taking anything except the trigger shot but I will confirm.
@endowife I am still waiting on more info regarding this so I'm not sure if I would have to go through multiple retrievals before fertilization. If that's the case I don't think it would be worth it either.
@hopefulinNYC I am now going to RMA (Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey). Have you went in for retreival yet? Hope your first cycle is a success.