New to Board and New to IVF

[JennLB25]

I'm new here and just want to share my story to date.

My DH and I are just now looking into doing IVF. I don't know how long everything takes from your first consult appointment with an RE till you actually get to start the IVF process, but we will be seeing the RE within the next 2 weeks for the first consult.

My DH and I have been married 11 years (as of Sept. 13, 2008) and have been trying for children the whole time. I am 34 (in October) and my DH is 33.

We did some infertility testing about 6 years ago, but the RE wasn't very informative. I think I remember reading in some of my papers that DH has 1% normal morphology, low motility and low count. They think my tubes are damaged. So, it seems that we may both be the cause for our infertility.

My husband's employer was just bought-out a year or so ago and I just decided, since our insurance changed, to check into whether or not the new insurance covers IVF....and thanks be to GOD!!!!, it does.

So, with this new development, we are looking into IVF.

We weren't able to afford it otherwise. And adoption costs are WAY TOO HIGH. The cheapest I found locally was about $20,000.

I'm really nervous about getting the new tests done. It's been about 5 or 6 years and I am getting older. I'm nervous about how these new tests will come out and what they'll show. This process is so emotionally overwhelming. It worries me to get back into actively TTC. It does wreak havoc on your nerves and your relationship.

Well, being new here, I just wanted to share my story thus far and start getting the emotional support that these forums offer. It really does help to be able to talk to you gals who are going through the same torture.

May God Bless you all with the children that you desire.

Much love,
Jenn

[AMAZU]

Hi Jenn,
Welcome to this board! The ladies are very supportive and you can ask them anything you want. It is good that your new insurance covers the treatment. Good luck to you and hope to hear good news soon,
Annie.

[alimoyni]

Welcome aboard! Your only 34 years old so although you have been trying for a long time your still pretty young and hopefully in good shape

[jen8675309]

Hi Jenn ~

We are very similar creatures! My DH had low count, low motility also. We went through our first IVF earlier this year. My first consult appt was in January and we cycled in Feb/March. Normally you have to have a period or 2 before you start the cycle. Congrats on having rock-star insurance! That is so awesome that it covers IVF! We participating in a trial study, so we only had to pay about $5K, otherwise we wouldn't have been able to do IVF either.

I don't think it's too late for you at 34. I will be 32 in Sept. You are still young, it's good you are doing this now! As for the stress of IVF, I won't lie, it is overwhelming. The best advice I can give you is to take each step one at a time and try not to get caught up in looking too far forward. And most of all, don't stress out over it! Try to stay positive and optimistic. I also wouldn't recommend doing a lot of research on the web- it can be really scary and the info isn't always accurate. Rely on your RE and nurses!

Good luck and keep us posted!

Jen

[JennLB25]

Jen:

LOL....the research on the internet....that's all I've been doing since we decided to try IVF.

It has scared me a little.

Also, my husband's shape of his little guys is only 1% normal. At least that's what the tests showed when we did the infertility testing 5 or so years ago. He has lost about 23 lbs and has been eating better and taking vitamins. Who knows, maybe that has helped. I guess we will soon see.

If I understand how the sigs (signatures) work, Jen are you pg with twins? If so, congrats! Was it your first IVF that worked?

alimoyni:

I'm in fairly good shape. I am about 15 lbs over weight, not much I know. I also have high bloodpressure. I'm on the only medicine that my doctor says is safe for pg ladies. I told him I wasn't ready to give up on having a baby yet. However, about 6 months ago he had to double my dosage because it just wasn't keeping my bloodpressure (BP) low enough. He said that my dosage is has high as it can go with this weaker medicine and that if I can't keep my BP low enough, he'll have to change my meds. I don't want that to happen cause he said that if I have to change meds, then I have to stop trying to get pg. He said the meds cause fetal deformity and fetal death. I'm a little concerned about getting pg and having high bloodpressure, but I guess we'll see what the RE says.

Good luck on your IVF cycle. Baby dust.... coming your way.

[jen8675309]

Jen:

LOL....the research on the internet....that's all I've been doing since we decided to try IVF.

It has scared me a little.

Also, my husband's shape of his little guys is only 1% normal. At least that's what the tests showed when we did the infertility testing 5 or so years ago. He has lost about 23 lbs and has been eating better and taking vitamins. Who knows, maybe that has helped. I guess we will soon see.

If I understand how the sigs (signatures) work, Jen are you pg with twins? If so, congrats! Was it your first IVF that worked?

alimoyni:

I'm in fairly good shape. I am about 15 lbs over weight, not much I know. I also have high bloodpressure. I'm on the only medicine that my doctor says is safe for pg ladies. I told him I wasn't ready to give up on having a baby yet. However, about 6 months ago he had to double my dosage because it just wasn't keeping my bloodpressure (BP) low enough. He said that my dosage is has high as it can go with this weaker medicine and that if I can't keep my BP low enough, he'll have to change my meds. I don't want that to happen cause he said that if I have to change meds, then I have to stop trying to get pg. He said the meds cause fetal deformity and fetal death. I'm a little concerned about getting pg and having high bloodpressure, but I guess we'll see what the RE says.

Good luck on your IVF cycle. Baby dust.... coming your way.

Hi Jenn ~ Yes I am preggers with twins and it was my first IVF! We are so lucky to have "scored" so big the first time, so it can happen to you too! I would be glad to share more with you about my experience if you'd like.

Have a great weekend!