tfahn
November 11th, 2016, 11:01 AM
I need to make a decision in the next 2 weeks about whether to try an IVF cycle or not. Some Background:
I just turned 40 two weeks ago. I have a daughter that I conceived at 36, only 2 took months after stopping the BCP that I was on for 18 years. We would like a second child and have been really trying for the last 1.5 years. I got pregnant last December but lost it about at 6 weeks. Started Clomid the month after that for 2-3 cycles with no luck. Did Femara 7.5mg for 2 cycles, both resulted in chemical pregnancies. Since then I have done 3 combo cycles with Femara and 75 units of Gonal F, with no BFP's, 1 cycle was with IUI. All tests and AMH come back as normal, so I have unexplained secondary infertility.
My insurance covers 4 cycles of IVF. So this was always going to be my back up plan for in the future if nothing else worked, we would possibly try that. I was going to try another month or 2 of just Femara and then stop medicated cycles for a few months to lose some weight. ( I am about 20 pounds over for the IVF limit). Unfortunately as of last week our company was sold and most likely our insurance plan will be ending at the end of this year. This has created a time crunch. My RE has suggested and agreed, even though I am 20 pounds over the weight limit, to do an IVF cycle before the end of the year due to the extenuating circumstances of me losing my insurance and IVF would be there next step regardless since nothing else has worked.
I started some of the IVF pre-testing process this week but haven't signed any paperwork yet. Yesterday the box of medication for the IVF cycle came and to say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. 12 boxes of Gonal F, 5 boxes of Cetrotide, 5 days worth of Doxycycline, a Trigger shot, and 2 boxes of Progesterone Vaginal inserts. It really has me second guessing going through with a cycle. That is so much medication to put into my body with no guarantee that I would even get a BFP if I produced enough eggs that would make it to a 5 day transfer. If we do lose the insurance I would not pay out of pocket for another round.
I know a lot of women would kill for the opportunity to get a chance at IVF so I feel foolish at possibly giving up on that chance. I really worry about the side effects in the future of taking that medicaition, some studies save there is an increased risk of Cancer later in life from the IVF meds. My own Mother died of Cancer 5 years ago so I really do not want to up my chances of getting it. Since she died I tried to really change the products I use and try to buy non gmo/organic as much as possible.
My husband always thought IVF seemed so unnatural, screwing with science basically, but he is on board with whatever I decide. We both had the same thought, that maybe being on Birth control pills this month, in preparation of an IVF cycle, might somehow help us when I am done taking them. Last time we conceived when I came off of them; I know this is wishful thinking but it is in both of our minds.
So would love some thoughts on IVF safety and if I should try a cycle knowing I won't be able to try again if it doesn't work. So confused as to what to do.
I just turned 40 two weeks ago. I have a daughter that I conceived at 36, only 2 took months after stopping the BCP that I was on for 18 years. We would like a second child and have been really trying for the last 1.5 years. I got pregnant last December but lost it about at 6 weeks. Started Clomid the month after that for 2-3 cycles with no luck. Did Femara 7.5mg for 2 cycles, both resulted in chemical pregnancies. Since then I have done 3 combo cycles with Femara and 75 units of Gonal F, with no BFP's, 1 cycle was with IUI. All tests and AMH come back as normal, so I have unexplained secondary infertility.
My insurance covers 4 cycles of IVF. So this was always going to be my back up plan for in the future if nothing else worked, we would possibly try that. I was going to try another month or 2 of just Femara and then stop medicated cycles for a few months to lose some weight. ( I am about 20 pounds over for the IVF limit). Unfortunately as of last week our company was sold and most likely our insurance plan will be ending at the end of this year. This has created a time crunch. My RE has suggested and agreed, even though I am 20 pounds over the weight limit, to do an IVF cycle before the end of the year due to the extenuating circumstances of me losing my insurance and IVF would be there next step regardless since nothing else has worked.
I started some of the IVF pre-testing process this week but haven't signed any paperwork yet. Yesterday the box of medication for the IVF cycle came and to say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. 12 boxes of Gonal F, 5 boxes of Cetrotide, 5 days worth of Doxycycline, a Trigger shot, and 2 boxes of Progesterone Vaginal inserts. It really has me second guessing going through with a cycle. That is so much medication to put into my body with no guarantee that I would even get a BFP if I produced enough eggs that would make it to a 5 day transfer. If we do lose the insurance I would not pay out of pocket for another round.
I know a lot of women would kill for the opportunity to get a chance at IVF so I feel foolish at possibly giving up on that chance. I really worry about the side effects in the future of taking that medicaition, some studies save there is an increased risk of Cancer later in life from the IVF meds. My own Mother died of Cancer 5 years ago so I really do not want to up my chances of getting it. Since she died I tried to really change the products I use and try to buy non gmo/organic as much as possible.
My husband always thought IVF seemed so unnatural, screwing with science basically, but he is on board with whatever I decide. We both had the same thought, that maybe being on Birth control pills this month, in preparation of an IVF cycle, might somehow help us when I am done taking them. Last time we conceived when I came off of them; I know this is wishful thinking but it is in both of our minds.
So would love some thoughts on IVF safety and if I should try a cycle knowing I won't be able to try again if it doesn't work. So confused as to what to do.