The Trials and Tribulations of Trying to Conceive when its just not happening (12m+)

jujugaboo

Congrats Runner great news on embies hope you get some good blasto ones, fingers crossed hun.

Sorry Blue that you are having a hard time. Try not to blame your OH he didn't know he was going to meet you and want to have more children. Its hard I know as I could probably have children normally if it wasn't for OH but since having IVF I have discovered my own problems to add to it.

Bluemeanie_2

Thanks really trying to get rid of the bitterness! I forgot to answer how old I was, I'm 29 in 5 weeks.

fluffnutter

Bluemeanie, your OH's sperm analysis doesn't sound too bad. Better than my husband's and he was deemed 'good enough' .

It was only when I started IVF that we discovered the real problem - my poor egg quality, even though, like you, I'd had a earlier pregnancy. I think it's best to just wait and see what further tests reveal.

If it is a problem with your OH's sperm, there are still other alternatives before IVF; there are things that can be done to try to improve sperm quality or you could try IUI (which is much cheaper than IVF).

Bluemeanie_2

Thanks Fluffnutter. The consultant who did the reversal said it was good enough to achieve a pregnancy and I've heard stories of lower. I have read mixed reviews of IUI, some say it's not very good for low sperm count. I've been looking for the discounted IVF for egg sharing in case that becomes the only option. Not sure I want to go through IVF but hen I suppose the desire to have a child (though I do have mixed feelings sometimes!) will not go away.

fluffnutter

Bluemeanie wrote: »

Thanks Fluffnutter. The consultant who did the reversal said it was good enough to achieve a pregnancy and I've heard stories of lower. I have read mixed reviews of IUI, some say it's not very good for low sperm count. I've been looking for the discounted IVF for egg sharing in case that becomes the only option. Not sure I want to go through IVF but hen I suppose the desire to have a child (though I do have mixed feelings sometimes!) will not go away.

We tried IUI (with a poorer sperm quality than you face). It didn't work (but then it wouldn't ever have worked because of my dodgy eggs).

It's true that the success rates are lower, but they do 'spin' the sperm to achieve optimum concentration of quality swimmers. TBH, they wouldn't do it if they didn't think the sperm was up to it, so if this is offered to you, you can feel confident that it's a reasonable thing to try.

Bluemeanie_2

fluffnutter wrote: »

We tried IUI (with a poorer sperm quality than you face). It didn't work (but then it wouldn't ever have worked because of my dodgy eggs).

It's true that the success rates are lower, but they do 'spin' the sperm to achieve optimum concentration of quality swimmers. TBH, they wouldn't do it if they didn't think the sperm was up to it, so if this is offered to you, you can feel confident that it's a reasonable thing to try.

Thanks. I am back at the Docs 2 weeks today for "the next stage" as my bloods came back fine. Think I have to be checked to see if my tubes are blocked next. :eek:

fluffnutter

Bluemeanie wrote: »

Thanks. I am back at the Docs 2 weeks today for "the next stage" as my bloods came back fine. Think I have to be checked to see if my tubes are blocked next. :eek:

That's the next stage really. You'll have a quick exam to check for fibroids (if they've not done this already). It involves a finger up the mooer plus a squeeze of your tum. Takes seconds and is completely painless. They might also do an ultrasound scan (although I didn't have this).

If all this looks OK, they'll refer you for either an HSG (squirt dye through your tubes) or a laparoscopy and dye (have a look at your ovaries, womb and tubes via a camera and squirt some dye through).

You'll be awake for the first but under a GA for the second. I think it depends on your local PCT. Mine does lap and dyes but HSG's appear to be more common going by the experiences on this thread.

I don't think you should think ahead (to IVF) at this stage. Just wait and see what the rest of the tests show.

miss_hh

Hi Can I ask a few questions?

Has anyone had ICSI type IVF? How did it go?

How long is the NHS waiting list approx?

If I have all the initial treatment with my NHS IVF session and it fails, will my next IVF session be cheaper (paying ourselves) as I have already had al the initial tests completed?

Any Belfast IVF participants?

fluffnutter

miss_hh wrote: »

Hi Can I ask a few questions?

Has anyone had ICSI type IVF? How did it go? We had ICSI (which worked a treat). TBH, the only difference you notice is the extra cost! (NHS funding wasn't available). It's a clinical decision and depends on the andrologist's decision on the day when he/she checks the sperm quality. We had no choice but to go with ICSI.

How long is the NHS waiting list approx? Not sure, but I suspect it will depend on local factors. Some PCTs will have long lists, some short.

If I have all the initial treatment with my NHS IVF session and it fails, will my next IVF session be cheaper (paying ourselves) as I have already had al the initial tests completed? There are some tests that only need to be done once, e.g. a lap and dye (if you've had this). In that sense, it might well be cheaper. However, a private clinic might still want to order their own tests, e.g. sperm analysis, infection screening, smear test (if you've not had one in the last year).

TBH, it's an odd question because you're not comparing like with like. The cost to the NHS is (I assume) hidden to you. The cost of private IVF will be what it is so it's difficult to say whether it's cheaper or not. Cheaper than what? The original one? But you didn't pay for that, so in one way it doesn't matter.

Any Belfast IVF participants? I'll leave that to others - I'm in England.

Answers above

miss_hh

fluffnutter wrote: »

Answers above

Thanks for replying. My oh has a really low sperm count (I cant remember what though) and we are advised our only option is ICSI. He has had several sperm analysis and each one was as bad as the other.
I have had a sterilisation but I have also had numerous tests and I am still fertile with everything in good order.

We are entitled to one treatment on the NHS. The hospital giving us our free NHS treatment also provides treatment privately so we will be using the same hospital which Im hoping will keep costs down.

I am 35 and my oh is 34. We have had our 1st app at the IVF centre and filled out all the application forms, I had an internal scan and also gave more bloods. We are now on the waiting list for treatment.

I just dont know what to expect.

Edit to add - When you say your ICSI worked a treat - do you mean you have a baby )) Congrats

How many treatments did it take you to conceive?