Starting IVF when my BMI is under 30

[Tarkwa]

Hi everyone!
I need some advice and thought this was the best place to ask - it's my first time posting in here. First, a bit of background: I'm 31, DH 34. Been TTC since June 09 and not even a sniff of a BFP in that time (have wanted babies for a lot longer - waiting for DH to be ready). I am overweight, with a BMI of 32.1 (taken today by the hospital), down from 37.7 (at it's highest). Since losing weight my periods have regulated a bit (though this last one was a bit crazy). I had a FS appt today and he looked very excited when I told him about the strange period, until I said I had two BFNs. He prescribed more clomid (50mg is working for me) and said that if I lose enough weight to get my BMI under 29/30 then IVF is most likely the next step. My next appt is 29 June which seems like ages away, but is probably realistic enough for me to lose the weight (if I can! It's not easy). I was very distressed in the appt and had already been there for a while so we don't have any more info on IVF, but my question is, how long after that initial consultation did the process start? I couldn't bear the thought of waiting even longer when I go to that appt as it will be two years TTC by that point (which I know is not as long as some ladies out there). Any advice or information would be really helpful.
Thanks in advance
xxx

 

[Tarkwa]

Has no-one had a BMI > 30 when they started TTC and had to delay IVF because of it? I can't be the only one, can I?!
xxx

 

[Please]

Hey! I didn't want to read and run, although I can't really help...I wanted to say a big well done for losing the weight you have already and wish u the best of luck for losing the rest. My referral for IVF left the addenbrooks hospital and went to Bourn hall the week before Christmas, I was then booked on the next available group seminar which is 3rd march and we have our first appointment with the consultant 13th March, I will know then when we actually start. I have to say our last appointment with the fertility specialist at addenbrooks was 17th November, I can't believe it's been nearly 4months it's gone super fast...so what's another 3months wait to know if we have our BFP when u've been trying 3 yrs : ) sorry I'm rambbling now. Fx'd u get ur BFP before u need to hop on the IVF boat. Xxx

 

[Robyn321]

Oh, Tarkwa, I haven't had the bmi issue but I have been trying to lose weight and I know it's a nightmare. You seem to be doing so well though! Why did fs suggest ivf? If clomid is working for you and you don't have any mf issues that bfp may well happen before June!

 

[SillyMoo]

Hi Tarkwa

When I first saw the FS my BMI was 36 and I was told that after a lot of failed clomid cycles that IVF was our next step for which I had to have my BMI at 29.9 or below to be referred. It took me a year to get it to 29 but there is no greater incentive

I was really unlucky that my referral meeting came AFTER they cut IVF treatments in Surrey so we went private, I understand though that its the same process for NHS or Private once you are at the top of the waiting list, it just depends how long the waiting list is in your area. For reference I was on the long protocol and from first IVF appt to test date was 3 months.

Really well done on your weight loss so far, what diet are you doing?

Good luck in your journey and fingers crossed that you wont need IVF at all

Moo xxx

 

[Blue12]

Some places and the nhs demand that you are below 30, my clinic didn't and my bmi was 35.

Best wishes.

 

[LizzB]

Hi Tarka, I've been in the same position as you - told to loose weight in order to get NHS treatment. GP's never mentioned it while I was discussing it with them, referral to the hospital in Feb 2010 - consultant said 'you do weigh alot' that's why you haven't got pregnant. Go away and loose weight before we'll even consider you for help. I asked if I drank a bottle of scotch a day and smoked 40 fags would I get treatment now - they said yes. I weighed 99kgs. It feels so unjust. I cried and cried and cried. I've always been a bit overweight but also INCREDIBLY sensitive about it.
Anyhow, I lost 22kgs last year and had my first shot at ICSI in dec/jan, unfortunately it wasn't successful, but i'm looking to March for the next one.
I'm in Sussex and am very lucky with my clinic - as soon as I was properly referred by the NHS I was scheduled in within a month or so. The treatment starting then depends upon your cycle and the protocol they put you on.
I have been told that by my clinic that you are really no better off clinically losing the weight, but the NHS choose to do it as a selection process. It feels so unjust when you can see so many people with kids who clearly don't give a damn.
Sorry I'm ranting now, it does feel so unjust, hope this helps.
Liz

 

[Tarkwa]

Thank you ladies. I really do hope that the clomid works, but the way things have gone so far I don't hold out much hope TBH. It looks like I have a lot to learn about IVF - don't even know what protocols are all about !
Robyn, the FS just said it would probably be the next course of action if clomid failed. I think the best thing for me to do is cross that bridge if we come to it, and I can see it in the distance, I just hope our journey takes another path.
The waiting times sound typical of NHS - several months before things get going, but I guess I'm used to that now. Maybe I should move to Canada where blue12's clinic accepts a BMI of 35!!!
FX'd for all you ladies still TTC, and wishing you a H&H 25wks (what's left of your PG journey!).
Thanks again
xxx

 

[Tarkwa]

Liz, that is one beautiful pussy cat you have there!
xxx

 

[Robyn321]

Fx's for clomid to work! Did they discuss doing iui?

 

[Tarkwa]

Nope, the FS I saw said it would probably be IVF, but is all dependent on the consultants decision (this is the consultant/FS who was really mean and said I was too fat for clomid back in August - he upset me so much that I was so worried on my last appt on 23 Feb that I was in tears before I even went in! Didn't see him in the end which was nice, but it's horrible knowing that my destiny lies in his hands ). I guess my appt at the end of June will discuss which course of action to take - IUI/ICSI/IVF or whatever else they can do. I don't care as long as we can have a baby. Waiting on DH to do another SA as his results last year (Apr & May) weren't great. He's been on Wellman Conception so he'll do the SA when I'm on my next AF/get my next BFN (to get the number of days of not right before the test). I guess the consultant's decision will be based on that too (IUI if ok and IVF if not ok??????).
Have missed clomid this cycle because of strange AF (FS thought I might be PG but I had two BFNs). I've got everything X'd apart from my legs !
I see you had IUI and are moving onto IVF - GL with that, lots of . Can I ask how old you are and how long you have been TTC? Also how come you only had one cycle on clomid? I've got 6 cycles in total (2 down, 4 to go).
xxx

 

[Robyn321]

Some of these consultants are outrageous! I've learned to really question what they say - my first fs did things so strangely I felt very uncomfortable.

I'm 29. Actually had 4 clomid cycles - 1 without iui and 3 with iuis. Unfortunately as we did the iuis it seemed that DH's sperm was getting worse - the morphology kept dropping each time - so that why we've moved on to ivf. The original plan would have been to do another 2 iuis before considering ivf, but as the morphology dropped to 2% on our 4th iui the fs decided it would be better to go straight to ivf/icsi - at least that way we'll know whether fertilisation can actually happen.....

 

[Blue12]

Thank you ladies. I really do hope that the clomid works, but the way things have gone so far I don't hold out much hope TBH. It looks like I have a lot to learn about IVF - don't even know what protocols are all about !
Robyn, the FS just said it would probably be the next course of action if clomid failed. I think the best thing for me to do is cross that bridge if we come to it, and I can see it in the distance, I just hope our journey takes another path.
The waiting times sound typical of NHS - several months before things get going, but I guess I'm used to that now. Maybe I should move to Canada where blue12's clinic accepts a BMI of 35!!!
FX'd for all you ladies still TTC, and wishing you a H&H 25wks (what's left of your PG journey!).
Thanks again
xxx

Many clinics in the us have the same and in austrailia - and even uk.

It is because in Canada the only option is to go private - so if you can pay you can have treatment. They do suggest things and say they would prefer you to be at a healthy weight - but ultimately you are paying.

 

[LizzB]

Funny how lots of us are cat people! Tarkwa your tabby is gorgeous too - I have two great hairy black cats as well as my tortie - in fact if this ICSI malarkey doesn't ever work I WILL be the mad woman on the hill with 75 cats.....!
x

 

[Tarkwa]

I personally think those who are caring enough to have pets and love them to bits will make the best mummies (and I think we fall into that category!). I have my puss and a rabbit (I did have two rabbits but my boy bunny passed away last summer) and they are my furbabies! And I won't love them any less when a little baby comes along (unlike my puss cat's previous owners who gave her up for adoption when they had a baby!).
xxx

 

[LizzB]

Completely agree - all 3 of my cats are rescues. Nothing winds me up more than people ignoring their pets when the baby comes along. You make a commitment to them and it's awful to think some people don't care enough and put them in rescue centres.
When this ICSI works (please please please) all my cats will have a very important role to play!
x