Seeing an RE after 35-what were your experiences?

[jwalk16]

Some background information: I am 38 years old and have been trying for a second child for 13 months (going into 14 months). My son (who is 15 months) was born when I turned 37 (in July). I had a miscarriage in May at 37 years old. Baby made it to 7 weeks but no heartbeat was detected. I ended up doing a D & C. At the time, I had a herniated disk at the time of the pregnancy that I have since had surgery for.

We were on a 3 cycle of clomid when we became pregnant before the miscarriage. We are currently approaching our 6th cycle of clomid since the miscarriage.

I decided to contact an RE and get scheduled for a consultation because I am getting worried that one child might be it for us. I am hoping that is not the case!!!!

My OB had my husband go in for a SA. I had a HSG before getting pregnant with my son. Both were done in 2011. Everything looked good.

So if I may ask-what were your experiences? What did you end up doing to get a baby? What was the cost for you?

 

[usamom]

Hi there... I saw my RE last year and was just over 35 at the time. I switched to him because I felt that another RE in his practice was not taking me seriously- and after several rounds of IUI- nothing was happening. I would get a positive pregnancy test and it would turn negative in just a few days. LIke repeat chemical pregnancies. It was very upsetting to me. My AF would come too soon for the pregnancy to stick if that makes sense at all.

Anyway- I switched to this new guy in the same practice. He sat down and listened to what I had to say. Agreed with me 1,000% and said this is what I would do for you: HSG just to make sure your tubes are clear, etc. Then if that comes back okay- I want to do a round of injectibles and IUI cycle. Let's do an extra HCG booster in the middle. If what you are saying is really happening- that extra HCG will give you time to start producing it yourself before AF can show up.

Next cycle- I got my BFP and that was it. Now- I realize that is my experience and not the same for everyone else- but I was very pleased with how it all turned out. I had 6 IUIs before I got this pregnancy. They cost me about $700 per cycle depending on meds, etc. I used donor sperm so that was a huge portion of those costs.

Oh- and about me being over 35? He said "your body has no idea how many times it has been around the sun- so let's just not worry about that"..

Best of luck to you!

 

[CaliDreaming]

I think when you go to an RE after 35 you have to work really hard not to get discouraged because the standard line for most is that your age is what is causing your problems no matter what the testing reveals. It took me almost two years to get pregnant with #2. I went to an RE after a year of trying and my FSH and AMH were excellent for a woman of any age. Despite these encouraging results, I was still treated as if my age was the problem. I even had exploratory surgery to rule out endometriosis. After that surgery found nothing wrong and three more bf's, I did my own research and found that my hubby's sperm was not as good as I was led to believe. He started taking supplements and less than a month later I was pregnant.

So my advice is not to trust a diagnosis if the only thing they tell you is that it's your age. Another piece of advice is to remember that your hubby is 50% of the equation. REs are mostly going to focus on problems with the woman, or if they do recognize it's male factor, will just refer for IVF straight away without trying other options.

 

[vermeil]

I think when you go to an RE after 35 you have to work really hard not to get discouraged because the standard line for most is that your age is what is causing your problems no matter what the testing reveals. It took me almost two years to get pregnant with #2. I went to an RE after a year of trying and my FSH and AMH were excellent for a woman of any age. Despite these encouraging results, I was still treated as if my age was the problem. I even had exploratory surgery to rule out endometriosis. After that surgery found nothing wrong and three more bf's, I did my own research and found that my hubby's sperm was not as good as I was led to believe. He started taking supplements and less than a month later I was pregnant.

So my advice is not to trust a diagnosis if the only thing they tell you is that it's your age. Another piece of advice is to remember that your hubby is 50% of the equation. REs are mostly going to focus on problems with the woman, or if they do recognize it's male factor, will just refer for IVF straight away without trying other options.

What she said! You really have to be proactive, do your own research and keep detailed notes. It`s YOUR body and fertility. The FS is there to help you achieve that goal, not to do it for you - if that makes sense. Get a second opinion.

Despite my age (41) our first IVF cycle worked (well first FET). I think what helped most was to lose weight, become healthy and exercise etc. Pregnancy is demanding on our bodies, they have to be top shape to carry one. Cost was only medication since IVF is free here - about 800$.