My opinion--you're 35, and with the issues both of you seem to have, I wouldn't waste any time. "Working your way up to drastic procedures" is going to take a long time. The IVF procedure(w/ drugs) takes about 8 weeks--& that's assuming everything goes well. Again, this is just my opinion. You and your DH are the only people who can make the decision. Good luck to you.

I agree with Minik myself. I'm 36 and my husband has issues with his sperm. Because of my age, and even though we have no indication anything is wrong with me, we will mostlikely start IVF as soon as possible. Aside from the age factor, it's probably best with going with your instinct. I know that I would not be able to go through months and months of treatments, appointments, etc.

We tried for over a year before seeing a specialist. We did use Clomid and other hormones through my ob before seeing a specialist but it was unsuccessful (no testing or evals, it was just something she chose to use with me). We did all the tests the specialist wanted us to do. When we sat down to discuss the results (partially blocked tube, PCOS, no male problems)we were told about IUI and IVF. IUI had a lower success rate and IVF was more expensive, but had better success rates. We chose to go straight to IVF.

What I am saying is, do what you think is best for you. We saw IVF as our best chance and we were tired of negatives. (I am not 14 weeks pregnant from my first IVF cycle.)

Can I ask why you have done Clomid if your tubes are blocked? In my opinion I would go for IVF because you have both male and female infertility. IVF will give you a better success rate and even though 35 is not old, when we are talking about fertility age is a big factor. But when it comes down to it, it is something for you and your husband to decide what is best.

Good luck!

oops...I made a huge typo...I am now 14 weeks pregnant. I put not pregnant. Yikes! I wanted to say IVF can be successful the first time.

I think you and your husband should really discuss all concerns with the doctor. We trusted what our doctor had to say and in the end, our treatment was our choice.

B/c your 35, i dont think you should wait long. fertility is possible after 35, but starting to get a lot harder. I dont know if you could unblock your tubes and try injectibles/iui first and then consider IVF. What you dont want to do is try ineffective things and then find yourself at 38, 39, 40 and not pregnant w/ even lower chances. I guess i just dont want you to miss the boat so to speak. lots of luck to you.

I want to thank you all for this good input. I guess what I was feeling myself was that I am sick of being disappointed every month, I'm feeling panicked about getting older, and I just want to go for the gusto and do IVF right away. What was making it tough was that my husband wanted to do the intermediate stuff -- simply because he didn't want to see me suffer with the fertility medicine and what he sees as a more intrusive procedure. But it's all going to be traumatic, so why not go for the trauma that will yield better results? I think he'd also like to be macho and be able to impregnate me the normal way -- that just requires lots of procedures before that could happen, if it ever could. I think that might be a luxury. At this point, who cares how it happens? I'm not concerned with how macho he is. He can be a man all he wants when he gets the chance to be a father to an existing child.

By the way, Pug Girl, we did 4 cycles of Clomid before ever finding out that my tubes were blocked. When we saw the HSG X-ray, the doctor said, "OH. THAT's why Clomid didn't work." Gr. But Pug Girl, CONGRATULATIONS on having it work for you. I usually hate hearing when people are pregnant, but for you and IVF, I'm THRILLED.

Thanks! -Kay

My advice would be to not do anything with the tubes and go right to IVF. I had 2 surgeries this year alone on my tubes. One surgery to try to fix them ( they were hydrosalpinx- totally scarred shut) and after waiting for months to see if the surgery was successful it was crushing to find out it was a failure. So I had them removed.

I wish now I would have had the guts in January to just remove them and be done with it. I could have already started IVF instead of having to wait. After all the money we wasted on surgery and clomid and the HSG tests I could have used that towards the IVF procedure instead.

We were hoping to be able to get pregnant "naturally", but looking back I see it was an impossible dream for us. The point is to have a baby, it doesn't matter how it happens.

Good luck to you whatever you decide!

I hope my last post doesn't come across as saying someone is gutless because they don't do IVF...I only meant that I was (and still am!) scared to go that route. Sorry if I typed it wrong!

Hi Kay.. I agree with you wanting a baby now and I agree with the other girls that with your age and everything you should just move to IVF if you have that option with cost and everything.

I wouldn't waste your time with clomid, you have structural issues and low sperm count, you need more drastic measures to benefit, I would go straight to IVF!