Anyone else have mixed feelings about IVF?

[2have4kids]

Oh I got a little teary reading you're reply I'm SO happy for you, you go girl!! Two feet forward and exuding your confidence-you will be a mom soon. I really wish you some big healthy eggs from your IVF, I'm glad you can share your experience with your best friend too, that always helps!

 

[Driving280]

Hi all - I started the IVF consulting process last month, and had serious qualms, but for now we are hoping the natural BFP I got is sticky. At my age, and having had two miscarriages before, I am sort of mentally preparing to miscarry. Then we will probably move on to IVF. Ok, maybe we'll try some more naturally... For me, the first issue is actually that there is evidence that there is definitely a higher risk of premature birth (a serious issue) and some risk for higher chance of congenital anomalies for IVF babies. So I am thinking of trying as long as possible, naturally, but at my age, that might only be a few more months.

I am also annoyed at not getting straight answers from my RE, at a clinic with great results. They did an antral follicle count, and said they wanted it to be at least 10, and 12 would be excellent at 40. So mine was 26, apparently fantastic. So the first thing the RE says is that yeah, your ovaries are very robust but 80% of those eggs are no good and it might take you for a long time to get the good one. Do IVF, and we'll to genetic testing and pick out the good ones. Sigh. She was pretty down on us keeping to try on our own though we are not technically even infertile yet (6 months without BFP - I have gotten 2 BFPs within 5 months). It's not like women in their 40s cannot have babies without IVF ever!

Third for me is the invasiveness of the procedure. Concerned about being put under, etc. Cost is a factor - insurance will basically cover only one cycle. Hoping I won't need to make this decision, but it is tough.

 

[Emmi]

We just had a failed IVF and no matter how my embryos were made - they were my little babas. When I realised that my bleeding was not good and I was basically miscarrying my 2 future miracles - I just cried and cried.....What did matter how they were made?? They were going to be loved more than anything in this world.

I never thought that I would have IVF but then I never thought that I would meet Mr Right at 40 - that wasn't what was supposed to happen in the perfect world that I envisaged!! We are trying naturally and there's no reason apart from our age (hubby's swimmers are a tad slow!) that we can't hit the jack pot but turning 43 in January means that we don't have months to waste.....So we try for these next few months and give IVF a whirl again in January. I am more prepared for the heartbreak but I have to give it my best second shot....

I have faith in my body, the universe and what will happen when it's time.

Just my thoughts

 

[2have4kids]

Hi all - I started the IVF consulting process last month, and had serious qualms, but for now we are hoping the natural BFP I got is sticky. At my age, and having had two miscarriages before, I am sort of mentally preparing to miscarry. Then we will probably move on to IVF. Ok, maybe we'll try some more naturally... For me, the first issue is actually that there is evidence that there is definitely a higher risk of premature birth (a serious issue) and some risk for higher chance of congenital anomalies for IVF babies. So I am thinking of trying as long as possible, naturally, but at my age, that might only be a few more months.

I am also annoyed at not getting straight answers from my RE, at a clinic with great results. They did an antral follicle count, and said they wanted it to be at least 10, and 12 would be excellent at 40. So mine was 26, apparently fantastic. So the first thing the RE says is that yeah, your ovaries are very robust but 80% of those eggs are no good and it might take you for a long time to get the good one. Do IVF, and we'll to genetic testing and pick out the good ones. Sigh. She was pretty down on us keeping to try on our own though we are not technically even infertile yet (6 months without BFP - I have gotten 2 BFPs within 5 months). It's not like women in their 40s cannot have babies without IVF ever!

Third for me is the invasiveness of the procedure. Concerned about being put under, etc. Cost is a factor - insurance will basically cover only one cycle. Hoping I won't need to make this decision, but it is tough.

Where did you ever hear that there are 'anomalies' with IVF babies? If you're getting BFP's that frequently it's shocking that your fs actually recommended IVF over M/C mitigating treatments. Yes, there are many risks with ivf but when you're never even able to concieve it's really the next step if you want a child without adoption, you're obviously very fortunate that you have no troubles getting a BFP.
I hope you look into autoimmune factors, clotting and get karyotype testing before you consider ivf. There was a scientific study published by the BBC in the past 6 months that shows some womens' bodies are overly-efficient at getting pregnant, they're system doesn't recognize an egg that doesn't have a level of quality that would allow a healthy baby to grow or simply the right chromosomes for a baby to grow. Normally if an egg comes down and it's not viable the body will pass it through and out- the study homed in on this failure of the body to get rid of bad eggs. There's lots of really great science-based information on recurrent m/c's. IVF doesn't sound like a treatment appropriate for you.

 

[pbl_ge]

As the original poster of this thread, I just wanted to come give an update to say that I am currently feeling very pro-IVF! We completed our first round and got the official positive pregnancy test today. I have no idea if it will stick or not, but it's the first bfp in 15 months, so I'm glad we did the IVF. Thanks to everyone who posted here! I hope others will read this and get a chance at a sticky bfp, too.

 

[2have4kids]

Pbl - congratulations and h/h 9 mnths! My fs says to watch loads of comedies snd laugh as much as possible in first tri. Keep that bean in there with positivity

 

[CaliDreaming]

Congratulations pbl_ge!! I'm so happy for you!!!

 

[Briss]

Pbl, congratulations!! great news! h&h 9 months.

afm, I still hate the idea of IVF but it's necessary evil. just started our second mild IVF. after 3.5 years TTC with low sperm count I just do not believe we can make it on our own. I am trying to stay positive. our first IVF ended in chemical but at least there was some kind of attempt at implantation. while TTC naturally there was no movement of any kind just BFN after BFN while I was getting older and my FSH was getting higher. it was time to move to IVF.