anyone over 35 going for fertility treatments this year? IUI, IVF etc

[readyformore]

Beautiful dog ready so if your DH has a number of 30 millionish how many are needed to actually survive the IUI? I know IUI ups your chances because they go straight into the uterus, but what is the difference in the number of live sperm between a natural cycle and an IUI cycle ?

Ive read that of all the millions of sperm ejaculated from natural intercourse only about 500,000 reach the uterus/tubes.....not sure how true that is, but it was in one of my baby books. So IUI puts millions up there! I do think it works for a lot of people and worth trying a couple before IVF (unless theres reasons why not to)

however I had 4 follicles and 29 million washed sperm in my uterus and still didnt get pregnant

I just got back from my ultrasound, so just 1 follicle, trigger tonight, IUI on Saturday my blood test is in 2 weeks....on my birthday. I dont think Im lucky enough to get a bfp on my birthday and not too enthused about having 1 follicle so Im going to forget about this cycle as much as possible so I dont ruin my bday.

I actually prefer the thought of one egg. I mean, if you have 4, and they all fertilize, you're basically screwed unless you reduce. The likelihood of getting all 4 babies to a gestational age of viability, nevertheless to a point of gestation that will lead to a decent quality of life, is remotely slim. It's sad, but true.
Your chances of being a MOM (which is the main goal really) are vastly increased with ONE baby! Even twin pregnancies are high risk and more likely to result in a premature birth.

And the pessimest in me would test on the day before my birthday, just so I didn't ruin my birthday with a bfn.
Last year I tested on my dd birthday. I thought it would lessen the blow. It didn't. I had to give her a party in front of my entire family and act all happy and excited when all I wanted to do was cry.

 

[sarahincanada]

Beautiful dog ready so if your DH has a number of 30 millionish how many are needed to actually survive the IUI? I know IUI ups your chances because they go straight into the uterus, but what is the difference in the number of live sperm between a natural cycle and an IUI cycle ?

Ive read that of all the millions of sperm ejaculated from natural intercourse only about 500,000 reach the uterus/tubes.....not sure how true that is, but it was in one of my baby books. So IUI puts millions up there! I do think it works for a lot of people and worth trying a couple before IVF (unless theres reasons why not to)

however I had 4 follicles and 29 million washed sperm in my uterus and still didnt get pregnant

I just got back from my ultrasound, so just 1 follicle, trigger tonight, IUI on Saturday my blood test is in 2 weeks....on my birthday. I dont think Im lucky enough to get a bfp on my birthday and not too enthused about having 1 follicle so Im going to forget about this cycle as much as possible so I dont ruin my bday.

Sarah, take it from me....one is all it takes

yes but what if its a bad egg
but thats ok, your journey has inspired me and so Im feeling more optimistic about my future and hopefully having IVF asap. Thank you for sharing everything, you made it seem easy which Im sure it hasnt been, but it gives a lot of us hope

 

[LLbean]

Sarah...but what if it IS a GOOD EGG????

it will take if it is a good one, so just let nature do its thing. And yes, IVF was not bad at all!

They say the average for IVF is 1 1/2 cycles so sign up for two and hope for the best

 

[onmymind17]

Ready, I did an IUI on Monday.

the 15mm is now 16mm and the 12mm still the same

Sarah, don't give up yet! Last week I had the 13mm with another 7 smaller ones on the right side. And then 2-3 smaller ones on the left.

Then when I went in on Sunday, the 2-3 smaller ones were both 18mm and the 13mm on the right side was still only 13mm. The dr said he's sees that all the time and there's no telling which follicles will do what.

It really does only take one. And I so hope this is the one for you!

This is post is in danger of being really long, but I wanted to tell y'all about my husband's sperm. LMAO. That sounds ridiculous.

My hubs has been having SA's for the past two years. I think he's had 4-5 of them. I wanted to see if his sperm was compromised by too much BDing so we had an SA done after abstaining for 3 days, and then another one BDing the night before. Turns out that the more BDing we have, the better his sperm is. It's always been good, but it's even better after BDing.

We BD'd on Saturday night, Sunday afternoon, then he "performed" into a cup at the lab. (Which he said was the most unsexy thing he's ever done.) And his prewash number was 106 million. That was after BDing like 16 hours earlier. His postwash number was like 35 million with 85% motility.

So, my point to all this is...if you have access to inexpensive - or better yet, insurance-covered SA's. Have a few done to see what BDing actually does to the numbers.

My husband does the same thing, we know this from doing 5 IUI's lol, every time he would abstain for 2 or 3 days before the first IUI then the next day he would do it again, and it never failed he had more of the little guys the second time than the first every time.

 

[onmymind17]

Beautiful dog ready so if your DH has a number of 30 millionish how many are needed to actually survive the IUI? I know IUI ups your chances because they go straight into the uterus, but what is the difference in the number of live sperm between a natural cycle and an IUI cycle ?

Ive read that of all the millions of sperm ejaculated from natural intercourse only about 500,000 reach the uterus/tubes.....not sure how true that is, but it was in one of my baby books. So IUI puts millions up there! I do think it works for a lot of people and worth trying a couple before IVF (unless theres reasons why not to)

however I had 4 follicles and 29 million washed sperm in my uterus and still didnt get pregnant

I just got back from my ultrasound, so just 1 follicle, trigger tonight, IUI on Saturday my blood test is in 2 weeks....on my birthday. I dont think Im lucky enough to get a bfp on my birthday and not too enthused about having 1 follicle so Im going to forget about this cycle as much as possible so I dont ruin my bday.

I am sorry about only having one follie, but all it takes is one, just try and relax and see what happens. Sending you all kinds of hugs and positive sticky vibes!!

 

[sarahincanada]

Beautiful dog ready so if your DH has a number of 30 millionish how many are needed to actually survive the IUI? I know IUI ups your chances because they go straight into the uterus, but what is the difference in the number of live sperm between a natural cycle and an IUI cycle ?

Ive read that of all the millions of sperm ejaculated from natural intercourse only about 500,000 reach the uterus/tubes.....not sure how true that is, but it was in one of my baby books. So IUI puts millions up there! I do think it works for a lot of people and worth trying a couple before IVF (unless theres reasons why not to)

however I had 4 follicles and 29 million washed sperm in my uterus and still didnt get pregnant

I just got back from my ultrasound, so just 1 follicle, trigger tonight, IUI on Saturday my blood test is in 2 weeks....on my birthday. I dont think Im lucky enough to get a bfp on my birthday and not too enthused about having 1 follicle so Im going to forget about this cycle as much as possible so I dont ruin my bday.

I actually prefer the thought of one egg. I mean, if you have 4, and they all fertilize, you're basically screwed unless you reduce. The likelihood of getting all 4 babies to a gestational age of viability, nevertheless to a point of gestation that will lead to a decent quality of life, is remotely slim. It's sad, but true.
Your chances of being a MOM (which is the main goal really) are vastly increased with ONE baby! Even twin pregnancies are high risk and more likely to result in a premature birth.

And the pessimest in me would test on the day before my birthday, just so I didn't ruin my birthday with a bfn.
Last year I tested on my dd birthday. I thought it would lessen the blow. It didn't. I had to give her a party in front of my entire family and act all happy and excited when all I wanted to do was cry.

I totally hear where you are coming from. I guess I just never believe that the 4 eggs would ever fertilize and implant. When I was talking to the nurse about IVF and how some people have lots of eggs retrieved but only 1 or none make it she was saying they prefer a person to make about 10 eggs for IVF ....because if your body is concentrating on producing lots of eggs they are probably not quality eggs. So perhaps my 1 egg is better than 4 not so great eggs.

Im not testing at all around my birthday...in fact Im not testing anymore period, just going for my blood test like the clinic asks. So I will go the day before my birthday but wont know the results until after my birthday (and by then AF would have probably arrived)

 

[sarahincanada]

Sarah...but what if it IS a GOOD EGG????

it will take if it is a good one, so just let nature do its thing. And yes, IVF was not bad at all!

They say the average for IVF is 1 1/2 cycles so sign up for two and hope for the best

sorry its just my PMA died last month, so Im feeling negative about my chances!!

Im going to budget for 3 IVF cycles

hey LL do you know your day 3 Antral Follicle Count by chance? mine is 18 which is quite good, you had 18 eggs so assume its something similar.

 

[sarahincanada]

just wondering if anyone has been tested for Vitamin D deficiency?

at the clinic theres posters for different trials they do (I was in one for celiac disease and infertility but tested negative so didnt continue) and one caught my eye: vitamin D deficiency and implantation problems. On my last blood test with my GP she said I was vitamin D deficient and to take a supplement. This was after taking prenatals for 6 months so if theres any Vitamin D in those its not enough. So anyway Im going to get some Vitamin D...I did buy some drops but keep forgetting to take them so getting some pills to take with my multivitamin as I remember that every night.

the study is for people doing IVF, I guess they will monitor those with vitamin D deficiency and their success rate. heres some reading if you are interested:

Infertility is a common and psychologically devastating problem for 20% of Canadian couples. Approximately, 20% of infertile couples are diagnosed with unexplained infertility and left without an explanation for their inability to have a baby. Pathological uterine receptivity and embryo implantation are hypothesized mechanisms underlying sub-fertility in these couples. Embryo implantation requires a complicated sequence of events involving the differentiation of endometrial cells to attain uterine receptivity and the synchronized interaction between maternal and embryonic tissues. Vitamin D has been hypothesized to play a role in this poorly understood process. Vitamin D is a known regulator of signal transduction pathways involved in embryo implantation and its receptors are involved in calcium-regulation in various reproductive tissues including, the ovary, uterus, and placenta. In Canada, the prevalence of Vitamin D insufficiency is approximately 34-50%. The goal of the proposed study is to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in an infertile population and whether this prevalence is higher than in average Canadian reproductive age women. More importantly, we will investigate whether vitamin D insufficiency in our infertile population translates to impaired implantation and reduced clinical pregnancy rates. Insight into vitamin D's role in reproduction is essential not only to provide scientific understanding of the mechanism underlying embryo implantation, but also because vitamin D supplementation could provide an easy and safe means of treating infertility.

 

[Natsby]

Oh Sarah I´m so sorry to hear you feeling negative! I know it is so hard ever month that passes feels more desperate and we feel less and less in control of our futures. But I was feeling like that last time I got my BFP. I didn´t even want to test I was so sure it wouldn´t be pos and didn´t want to see another bfn. It is a game of luck and chance and that it doesn´t work one month really doesn´t mean it won´t work the next. I am trying to keep super busy and not think about it because it was ruling my life, but strangely I feel more positive than I have for ages as a result. This could be your month and if it isn´t it could be next month or in 6, but it will happen and when it does you will forget how hard it was and how long it took and be a great mum. Huge hugs and I´ll be stalking you around your birthday and hoping you get a great late birthday pressie.

 

[LLbean]

Look through my journal but I believe on my first scan I had 6... So 3 on each side

 

[googly]

Hey all, I have been stalking this thread a bit because at some point I think we'll be switching to IUI/IVF (is free here after you've done a certain amount of clomid cycles). Very interesting to hear all your stories - thank you so much for sharing.

I just wanted to chime in on the 'sperm' discussion - that my FS told me my DH should 'clear the pipes' (as he put it) a good 4-5 times a week - even if we're not DTD - for optimum sperm quality. When I got home and told DH he was all "gahhh, if I HAVE to... only for you.... " LOL

(best doctor's orders ever!)

So I guess it depends on their count etc., but all things being equal, it's apparently good to keep a decent turnover down there!

Best of luck with all your procedures... I'll be following and FX for you!

 

[crystal443]

Beautiful dog ready so if your DH has a number of 30 millionish how many are needed to actually survive the IUI? I know IUI ups your chances because they go straight into the uterus, but what is the difference in the number of live sperm between a natural cycle and an IUI cycle ?

Ive read that of all the millions of sperm ejaculated from natural intercourse only about 500,000 reach the uterus/tubes.....not sure how true that is, but it was in one of my baby books. So IUI puts millions up there! I do think it works for a lot of people and worth trying a couple before IVF (unless theres reasons why not to)

however I had 4 follicles and 29 million washed sperm in my uterus and still didnt get pregnant

I just got back from my ultrasound, so just 1 follicle, trigger tonight, IUI on Saturday my blood test is in 2 weeks....on my birthday. I dont think Im lucky enough to get a bfp on my birthday and not too enthused about having 1 follicle so Im going to forget about this cycle as much as possible so I dont ruin my bday.

I actually prefer the thought of one egg. I mean, if you have 4, and they all fertilize, you're basically screwed unless you reduce. The likelihood of getting all 4 babies to a gestational age of viability, nevertheless to a point of gestation that will lead to a decent quality of life, is remotely slim. It's sad, but true.
Your chances of being a MOM (which is the main goal really) are vastly increased with ONE baby! Even twin pregnancies are high risk and more likely to result in a premature birth.

And the pessimest in me would test on the day before my birthday, just so I didn't ruin my birthday with a bfn.
Last year I tested on my dd birthday. I thought it would lessen the blow. It didn't. I had to give her a party in front of my entire family and act all happy and excited when all I wanted to do was cry.

I totally hear where you are coming from. I guess I just never believe that the 4 eggs would ever fertilize and implant. When I was talking to the nurse about IVF and how some people have lots of eggs retrieved but only 1 or none make it she was saying they prefer a person to make about 10 eggs for IVF ....because if your body is concentrating on producing lots of eggs they are probably not quality eggs. So perhaps my 1 egg is better than 4 not so great eggs.

Im not testing at all around my birthday...in fact Im not testing anymore period, just going for my blood test like the clinic asks. So I will go the day before my birthday but wont know the results until after my birthday (and by then AF would have probably arrived)

We were told the same about egg quality/ quantity it depends on each clinics methods and beliefs. Our clinic will be looking for about 10 good quality eggs, fingers x'd

 

[sarahincanada]

Oh Sarah I´m so sorry to hear you feeling negative! I know it is so hard ever month that passes feels more desperate and we feel less and less in control of our futures. But I was feeling like that last time I got my BFP. I didn´t even want to test I was so sure it wouldn´t be pos and didn´t want to see another bfn. It is a game of luck and chance and that it doesn´t work one month really doesn´t mean it won´t work the next. I am trying to keep super busy and not think about it because it was ruling my life, but strangely I feel more positive than I have for ages as a result. This could be your month and if it isn´t it could be next month or in 6, but it will happen and when it does you will forget how hard it was and how long it took and be a great mum. Huge hugs and I´ll be stalking you around your birthday and hoping you get a great late birthday pressie.

thanks natsby I prefer to think negative and then be surprised with a bfp! I allowed myself to get excited last month as I was late for the first time ever and temp didnt drop and was devestated when it was a bfn so dont want to do that again. Im so happy you are feeling positive, I think when you have some time off and dont overthink it does help, so Im going to try not to overthink this 2WW.

I told my husband that if he wanted to on my birthday he could call home (we will probably be in a hotel in niagara falls) and check the messages and hear the result of my blood test. if its positive it would be the most wonderful bday, but if its negative he doesnt need to tell me he called and I would get it after my bday so thats ok. Just because if it was positive wouldnt that be amazing!! but Im not that lucky

 

[sarahincanada]

We were told the same about egg quality/ quantity it depends on each clinics methods and beliefs. Our clinic will be looking for about 10 good quality eggs, fingers x'd

FX'd for you! cant wait!!

any chance you will be pregnant this month before you start IVF??

 

[LLbean]

On the egg quality over quantity... My doctor says the eggs are what they are and producing more or less would not effect the quality. They are all in there from birth really but some have "aged" better than others. The thing with age she explained was that the outer shell gets harder hence it makes it more difficult for the sperm to penetrate and that is why she recommended ICSI for us to make sure the eggs did fertilize.

 

[sadie]

How can we tell how the outer shell is? What causes it?

My hsg left me feeling a bit crampy tonight.

My OH arrives sunday and a sonogram is on Monday. Who knows yet when the trigger and IUI will be.... Should we not DTD sunday evening? We are going for the sonogram at 8 am Monday morning.... He will also do a sperm analysis on Monday, to see whats going on.

What have you girls been told? I am confused as to the different things I have been reading on here.

 

[sarahincanada]

On the egg quality over quantity... My doctor says the eggs are what they are and producing more or less would not effect the quality. They are all in there from birth really but some have "aged" better than others. The thing with age she explained was that the outer shell gets harder hence it makes it more difficult for the sperm to penetrate and that is why she recommended ICSI for us to make sure the eggs did fertilize.

yes I think I would do that too, do you know if theres a benefit to saying ahead of time do ICSI....or can they try to have the sperm and egg do their thing themselves and if not happening do it (or is it too late then). sorry if a silly question just wondering whether to order it ahead of time, its $1500 here.
she mentioned you can do 50/50 too, not sure if thats cheaper.

 

[sarahincanada]

How can we tell how the outer shell is? What causes it?

My hsg left me feeling a bit crampy tonight.

My OH arrives sunday and a sonogram is on Monday. Who knows yet when the trigger and IUI will be.... Should we not DTD sunday evening? We are going for the sonogram at 8 am.... He will also do a sperm analysis on Monday, to see whats going on.

What have you girls been told? I am confused as to the different things I have been reading on here.

its best to ask your clinic as each one is different, but if he is having a sperm analysis on monday they usually want you to abstain at least 2 days before that, but also for the sperm not to be too old so you should perhaps tell him to release today or tomorrow if he hasnt for a while!

its hard to time when you dont know when your IUI might be, but we tend to BD the night before the appointments, as IUI is usually 2 days after the appointment....for example we BD on a Monday, appointment is Tuesday and they have me trigger that night and come in Thursday for the IUI....so Monday BDing and Thursday IUI is a good enough time for replenishment.

 

[LLbean]

She told me because of my age they just did ICSI on all that were big enough. I asked at transfer and that is what she said and explained about the outer shell hardening. She says that way they don't run any chances and just fertilize them all

 

[crystal443]

On the egg quality over quantity... My doctor says the eggs are what they are and producing more or less would not effect the quality. They are all in there from birth really but some have "aged" better than others. The thing with age she explained was that the outer shell gets harder hence it makes it more difficult for the sperm to penetrate and that is why she recommended ICSI for us to make sure the eggs did fertilize.

That makes sense LL, we won't be going in having ICSI but we were told they just go ahead and do it if they find the eggs aren't fertilizing on their own. Clinics are of two minds with the quality/quantity , as you've proved it really only takes one good egg. You do have me thinking on the embryo testing though, I have asked in the past about it and she said we didn't need it but you proved otherwise on that theory so I might ask again and see what she says