IVF - help

[Sarah03]

we have been trying for a baby now for 4 years+ and I have PCOS although not too serious. I had my ovaries drilled in November 2002 and the consultant said I must wait a year - just in case. We are nearly at the deadline and I am still not pregnant. We are thinking of going for IVF, does anyone know how expensive it is and how easy egg donation is to reduce costs. I'm also not sure how I will take it if this does not work - how do you get through this. Everytime I hold someone elses child I desperately wish it was mine. We haven't told any family or friends about our 'unexplained infertility'. How do we not loose hope. Sorry to sound so depressing! but any help would be very much appreciated.

[Di]

Hi Sarah,<br>Don't feel bad about being down - you're bound to be I know I left like my world had crashed when I was told my tubes were blocked and I'd need IVF. With the support of others going through the same you will find the strength to get through it.<br>Also see if there's any groups in your area - we ran 1 for 4 years and got a lot of positive feedback from other couples who attend, not to mention support for ourselves and also have now alot of friends from the group!<br>The cost of treatment varies from place to place - you might want to go to the HFEA website and get information on centres near you and then look at there websites for costs.<br>Good luck and try to remain positive,<br>Di

[bubblymichelle]

Hi There<br><br>Costs of IVF vary from place to place, I am in the West Midlands and I had ICSI and including drugs ours cost £3000. We was one of the lucky ones really because it worked for us 1st time. It does help if you do egg share and I know with what I am going to say may sound a little selfish. We found it hard to save the money for ICSI but we wanted the best chance possible. I produced 12 follicles and they managed to get 7 eggs from mine. Only 5 of them was suitable for fertilisation. If I had gone for the egg share I wouldn't of had the best chance possible because my eggs but of been shared. Only 2 out of my 5 fertilised and 1 survived so I have one miracle. The choice is yours but you have to think of it all ways.<br><br>Love<br>Shell.<br>xx