To IVF or not to IVF, that is the question?

Question

After 2 miscarriages this year (one from IUI, second natural conception right after first miscarriage) and 2 years trying we are contemplating IVF with genetic testing. I’m 38 years old, husband is 41. I have had a full term pregnancy 13 years ago from another partner. I am just curious what other people’s experience was like. How long of a processes was it from beginning to end? How did the medications affect you? If you don’t mind sharing the cost of it all? What else would be helpful for me to know? Thank you in advance for sharing your experiences.

Answer

For just the ivf (we did iui before) we took the classes end of jan, started stims February, egg retrieval march. Fresh transfer 5 days after retrieval(beginning of april) that didn't take. Then beginning of may did a fet that stuck and is our daughter. Total for meds/process/transfers/testing was about 35K.

Answer

I had my consult in May and was pregnant by October. First FET worked. For me it was covered by insurance so I only spent about $500, but we didn’t do embryo testing which would have been $4k even with insurance. The hardest part is all the appointments, blood draws, and obviously the emotional roller coaster of it. No crazy side effects of medication for me. Just huge ovaries during stims but that’s what you want 😂

Answer

I’d say it was about a three month process from start to finish due to birth control regulation. I responded well to most of the medications, but I didn’t feel fabulous during stims due to being a hyper-responder. I’ve had serious food aversions the whole time that have continued into pregnancy and was probably a bit more moody than usual. Some breakthrough bleeding. Start, to graduation, this cycle ran us about 23k including medications. We did ICSI, FET and PGT for 12 embryos.

Answer

I don’t remember how long the process was because it’s been a few years.  On stim drugs for egg retrieval I had headaches, hot flashes, and just an overall icky feeling.  On transfer drugs I again felt just generally bad and tired.  For the diagnostic testing, egg retrieval, lab fees, medications, 1 transfer, blood work and ultrasounds, and copays for visits we ended up paying close to $30,000.  We had no insurance coverage for infertility at the time.

Answer

Go for it as soon as possible. Eggs decline fast after 35 and even faster after 40. Risk of miscarridges increases and of complications too. Keep in mind it is not garantee for life birth at this age and it is not garantee you will not miscary even if you test the embryos generically. And around this age RE start talking about donor eggs. I had 3 biochemicals with ivf icsi not genetically tested but good embryos. Unfortunately many of the pregnancies after 35 are not viable. I also have normal egg reserve and very good afc and I never smoked or drank alcohol. I still cannot go last 5th week.

To IVF or not to IVF, that is the question?

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