Seriously Considering IVF

[onthefence]

Hello,

I am 34 and DH is 37. We have been together since we were teens and have three children together DS 18, DS 16, and DD 11. We were teen parents and I had my tubes tied after DD post partum. In 2005 I had a dermoid cyst which resulted in the removal of my right ovary and tube. I have always regretted the decision to tie my tubes, but at the time I thought my family was complete. Over the past few years I have researched ways in which I could concieve. Recently, I realized that my insurance would cover either a reversal or ivf. I was so excited. What I didnt realize was the huge decision I would have to make as to which procedure would have the lesser impact on myself and family.

I recently went to an initial consultation with an RE about a reversal. He explained that I would need to get an HSG test and a semen analysis from my husband. I would also have to have abdominal surgery much like a c-section and the recovery is the same. In addition to this, I would have to make sure the hosptial and labs are all covered under insurance.

I have an appt for an initial consultation for IVF at a different facility. IVF is covered 100% by my insurance. I have done my research on ivf and am petrified of the injections. I have a friend who did ivf and had a healthy pregnancy, but a very negative experience with the injections...so bad that she said if she didnt get preg the first time, she would most likely would not have gone through another cycle (but thats HER experience and she is not the most positive friend I have).

There is so much to think about! Any thoughts? How long is the process from consultation to ET?

Thanks!!

[karenvancouverisland]

well if you really want more children don't let the injections scare you. they are sub cutaneous. they just go into the top layer of fatty tissue. they are super easy. some meds sting a bit when they go in, others don't at all. and seriously- that's the worst that it gets.

i was not happy at all to first learn i had to get injections, then quickly learned it's not a big deal. and most women just do injections for 9-12 days. if you really want a baby, this is no big deal. when i had to look at 'injections' , versus never having a baby- it was an easy decision.

some women take progesterone after treatment by injection, but vaginal suppositories are the other option. my clinic only uses suppositories. clinics who recommend progesterone injections- these are intramuscular and apparently do hurt. but again, we IVF women are a strong bunch, yet desperate in our maternal desires...and, this is not a big deal to us.

you are blessed to have it covered financially. i've never had this, neither have many women. (we've so far spent over 20K$ on 4 treatments...) and you also already have children.....so it seems like you already are in a good position to not be burdened by other factors... ie . the money, and the impending depression of coping with never having a family.

all the best to you in making your decision

[dogzrule]

I want to second what karen said. The injections are no big deal. It will seem like it at first, and it is intimidating, but that passes very quickly. You'll be a pro in a day! I too was fortunate to have 100% ivf coverage. If you are really wanting another child, I say go for the ivf route. Best of luck to you!

[Ghost]

I have done my research on ivf and am petrified of the injections. I have a friend who did ivf and had a healthy pregnancy, but a very negative experience with the injections...so bad that she said if she didnt get preg the first time, she would most likely would not have gone through another cycle (but thats HER experience and she is not the most positive friend I have).

If you really hate injections, it is technically possible (and inexpensive) to do IVF with almost no injections. You could stim with clomid and/or letrozole (both are pills), trigger with synarel (a nasal spray), and use Crinone (a gel) for luteal support.

But few REs in the US would try it. That's more like how they do IVF in Japan. And the success rates would be pretty low, because clomid and letrozole usually don't produce many follicles and also clomid is reportedly not good for endometrial receptivity.

[onthefence]

Thanks for the replies. You are right about the sacrifices you must go through if you really want a baby. I am trying to decide which is better for me; surgery or ivf. I am obviously leaning more towards ivf, but want some real life experiences in addition to the medical info. Im not so concerned with the initial injections. I didn't realize (correct me if I am wrong) that the day before ET you have to begin the progesterone injections (or cream) and continue for the first trimester of pregnancy?! Ouch! Is this always the case? It depends on the clinic whether they do inj. or cream? I go for my consultation on 11/30, how soon do they start treatment? Once again, thank you so much for your responses!!

[onthefence]

Thanks for the replies. You are right about the sacrifices you must go through if you really want a baby. I am trying to decide which is better for me; surgery or ivf. I am obviously leaning more towards ivf, but want some real life experiences in addition to the medical info. Im not so concerned with the initial injections. I didn't realize (correct me if I am wrong) that the day before ET you have to begin the progesterone injections (or cream) and continue for the first trimester of pregnancy?! Ouch! Is this always the case? It depends on the clinic whether they do inj. or cream? I go for my consultation on 11/30, how soon do they start treatment? Once again, thank you so much for your responses!!

[TammyS]

I would honestly never do the surgery that may or may not even work...and would not correct any problems that may have occurred in the past 11/12 yrs since last being pregnant. That is major surgery and very painful, too. The shots...are soooo easy. Honestly. No big deal at all. I'm going on my 4th fresh IVF cycle in 4 months...and even the PIO shot is no big deal. You'll probably start IVF in Jan/Feb if going for your consult Nov 30th...depending how flexible your schedule and their schedule is with the holidays coming. Good Luck in your decision.

[Ghost]

Thanks for the replies. You are right about the sacrifices you must go through if you really want a baby. I am trying to decide which is better for me; surgery or ivf. I am obviously leaning more towards ivf, but want some real life experiences in addition to the medical info. Im not so concerned with the initial injections. I didn't realize (correct me if I am wrong) that the day before ET you have to begin the progesterone injections (or cream) and continue for the first trimester of pregnancy?! Ouch! Is this always the case? It depends on the clinic whether they do inj. or cream? I go for my consultation on 11/30, how soon do they start treatment? Once again, thank you so much for your responses!!

Progesterone can be supplemented in different ways. There are pills (not very effective), suppositories, gels, effervescent vaginal tablets, and injections. The injections are very effective and relatively inexpensive.

The start and stop points vary from one clinic to the next, but the start point you mentioned (day before transfer) is later than most. Most clinics start progesterone around the time of egg collection. They are usually continued for about 6-7 weeks total duration. That gets you to 8-10 weeks gestation.

[klinger13]

onthefence - I've had a tubal reversal and now have done IVF too so I felt the need to respond. If I were you, I'd skip the reversal and go straight to IVF.

My kids are 21 & 18 and I had my tubal ligation (rings) in 1996. I had my tubal reversal in August 2008 as my new husband does not have any children of his own and we wanted to have a child together. The tubal reversal surgery itself was quite easy, outpatient surgery (very small incision), my tubes were reconnected with a good length (8cm both sides) and I recovered quickly. In May 2009, I had a HSG and both tubes showed as open. Aug 2009 we had our first pregnancy but it was a chemical. Feb 2010 - second pregnancy and it was an ectopic. I lost my right tube AND right ovary. Aug 2010 - 3rd pregnancy and it was ectopic. Lost my left tube. While my tubes were open as shown by the HSG, I just don't think they functioned properly after the reversal. So as of mid-August I was down to no tubes and one ovary and IVF was our only chance. Our insurance did not cover the reversal nor the IVF so we could only afford one cycle. My 1 ovary (on huge amounts of stims and an antagonist protocol) was able to pump out 5 eggs, 3 fertilized, we transferred all 3, and I'm currently 5 weeks and 3 days pregnant. We go for our first u/s on Thursday and we're just hoping and praying that this one is viable.

I know that not everyone gets lucky on their first cycle of IVF so we're very lucky and I know we're not out of the woods yet. I also know that tubal reversal works for a lot of women, it just didn't bode well for me. So if I had had the ability (financially) to go straight to IVF, I would have jumped to it in a heartbeat. The injections are not bad at all, believe me. Feel free to PM me though if you have any questions and good luck with your decision.

[Sunshine1576]

Klinger13, Good luck this Thursday!
Anyone out there who might can share with us insurance providers that cover IVF? I'm definately interested!

[onthefence]

I cannot thank you all enough for the replies. Your wisdom and experience is very comforting!! I wish you all the luck and success in your journeys! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

@Klinger13- Thanks for sharing. Thanks for the offer to PM, I will definitely take you up on that. Lots of luck to you with your u/s!!!