I am an old BnB member but have been MIA for a long time as I was really stressed.
I am 37 years old and was diagnosed with high FSH (14) and DOR (amh:0.35). We had tried 4 IUI rounds, two with clomid, and two without meds. No success there. I had two hysteroscopies to have a persistent uterine polyp removed. After my diagnosis our RE said our best chance was with IVF. He followed a really aggressive antagonist protocol with high dosage of meds. 300 IU menopur and 225 IU Gonal-F. I produced six follicles and we got 6 mature eggs. 4 of them were fertilized (without ICSI). One of them didn't look very good on ET day, and we transferred three, two of which were of an excellent quality. Fast forward two weeks later I got a BFP with a huge BETA number and I am now about 10 weeks pregnant with twins! Today I had my second ultrasound and all seems good.
We had been trying for three years and also had some mild MFI. DH was on antioxidants and l-carnitine since December which helped his sperm. I was on a lengthy list of supplements, Vit-D, Ubiquinol (during stims I was on 900mg per day!), Zita West conception multivitamins, Vit E, Krill and Calamarine oil, 3mg of melatonin (only during stims) and on 25-50 mg DHEA (didn't wan't to take more my levels were high). I forgot to mention that I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and a mild blood clotting disorder. So, my RE had me on steroids, antibiotics after EC, two intralipid treatments and a daily heparin injection starting on ET.
There is a new book by R. Fett, "It starts with the egg" which I recommend to all women with DOR. We might not be able to affect the number of remaining eggs but there's definitely so much we can do to improve the quality. I followed her guidelines to the letter. I did my best to eliminate chemicals and toxins from my life, and followed her advice on supplements. Upped my protein intake during stims, and tried to minimize the starchy carbs.
I also had some acupuncture sessions during the attempt and have been following a hypnofertility program for about a year now, which I highly recommend. Hypnosis helped my change my attitude and believe it was possible. I had been through so much disappointment, sorrow, bitterness during the ttc time that I needed help. My hypnotherapist helped me to be more positive and believe there was a baby for me somewhere out there...
I didn't experience the ivf as a negative procedure. OK, it was very tough, but I managed somehow to find strength and believe it was possible to have a baby at the end of it, although the initial prognosis wasn't very good. All the imagery exercises helped me visualize my babies and was so moved on the ET day. I had started knitting a baby blanket and during the transfer I was imagining my babies snuggling in my uterus under my blanket, trying to forget that I was in the surgery room.
I am really sorry for the lengthy post. I hope it can be of some help to those who need it. I hope every woman longing to be a mother to be able to be one. Everyone who wants to have a baby should have one. It might be more difficult for some of us, but there might be some good in that. The ones who struggle appreciate things more, sometimes even before they have them! Good luck to all!!!