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Lessons I've learned from IVF experience. Please read if you are going through IVF
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Anonymous
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In my experience, SG is very much like that. They canceled cycles due to low egg count so they could avoid the bad numbers.
To each his own . . . |
Anonymous
| I was told by my Shady Grove RE, that they need you to have a leas 6 eggs before they cancel or urn it into an IUI. But...I think this is waived quite often, esp. wih older patients. |
Anonymous
In my opinion, IVF is a crapshoot. Both times for me failed, but I had drastically different results (eggs/fertilization/3 day vs 5day) both times. When you are 40 or over and the stats say 20-25% chance, that is the TRUTH! Realize that before doing it, and hopefully you won't be so disapointed if it doesn't work out. Think of it, you and 3 other women, perhaps only one of you comes out with success. If you are younger, obviously there is a better chance, but for those over 40 don't get your hopes up. Now, if I could afford to do it again, I would try one last time. But, Virginia is terrible for insurance and we don't have the money for this anymore.  
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Anonymous
| Our insurance doesn't cover anything either. Have you talked to a financial counselor at SG? They can get you a loan through Capital One. Or if your annual income for the past two years is under $85K they can provide a huge discount, something like 40-50% possibly. They also have payment plans available. Also, SG is allowing patients who got pregnant to give their unused meds to other patients. I'd confirm this last option as I'm not sure about it. But maybe there are other options. I feel badly that you want to but are not trying one more time. |
Anonymous
| I donated my unused mess back to SG. My understanding is they can use them as long as the box has not been opened. |
Anonymous
May I ask how old you were when you have your 2 cycles? |
Anonymous
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I was 40 the first time and had just turned 41 the second time. We went to Domininon in Arlington VA. It's hard because you really hope it will happen the first time, because you hear so many stories like that. The OP stated it took her 6 times. I don't think I could do that, as there is so much caught up in it. Not just your body, your life, the waiting, everyone wondering, asking, etc. And I know I could borrow the money but in today's economical climate I don't think it's a smart move. I'd like to build our savings back up to at least 3 months worth. AND, I should state I have a son who is almost 4 and had him naturally, although at the time we were going thru testing and thought we'd have to do IVF. It was a brilliant surprise. I love him so much and am so grateful for him each and every day. He is a beautiful, loving child who made Christmas what it is supposed to be.
Right now I keep praying, doing acupuncture, and starting chinese herbs. I started to eat better too, but the holidays have killed my good habits. |
Anonymous
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It is a crap shoot...
I guess I was lucky. My first IVF worked at age 38. I'm doing another IVF in Feb. I will be 39 (will be 40 in April) and I know my chances will not be so hot because I'm older. I do think your chances are higher if you've already had a successful cycle though... |
Anonymous
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OP - great post - it is nice to have support from any and everywhere as you go through IVF, etc. I have had 3 successful IVF cycles with SG (Dr. Saffan). I was 35, 36 and 38. I had one unsuccessful attempt betwen the 2nd and 3rd attempts using frozen embryos. No insurance coverage so cost a small fortune - but I have 3 beautiful children.
I wish there was better coverage for everone - as a result I am a working versus a SAHM for a few more years - (a few more now b/c of economic turn!) but well worth it in the end. I did donate back all unused meds. I recieved some also when I had to extend a few more days b/c of numbers - over a holiday no less. Wishing everyone the best of luck! |
Anonymous
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Thought I would weigh in on what got me through my 13 IVF attempts (with 2 children to show for it).
This may not work for some, but I never really got too depressed b/c I knew I would be a Mom whatever happened -- meaning, I could do donor egg or adopt. I was determined and just plowed through all the tests/injections, etc, saying OK, that didn't work, what next. What was the hardest for me was knowing when to stop trying with my own eggs and move to donor eggs. As someone mentioned, it only takes one egg, but that can be a bit misleading. If you only have a couple of eggs, chances are very slim that the numbers will work out for you. And I have to really thank Dr. Sacks at Columbia for letting me try a few times even though my odds were basically close to zero. (Not sure SHady Grove would have done that). At least I know I gave it a shot, and that meant everything to me. I did get pregnant using donor eggs the first time I tried, with 7 blasts left over. On my second try, none of the blasts took, and we had to do two more fresh cycles to get our second child. I had actually already started the adoption process and had paid a number of fees, including the $800 for immigration papers. I understand that some don't agree with doing donor eggs and do not want to adopt. I respect that. But for the others, you will likely be a mom, one way or another! Good luck to all of you . . . |
Anonymous
HOLY COW!!! 13 IVF's!!!  That has got to be so hard on the bod to do that many cycles! I hope you didn't do any long term damage to your body! How old were you when you used your own eggs and why did the Dr. say they did not take? Good Luck on #2, I think it will happen soon! 
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Anonymous
On another note, I have a friend who was seeing one of the best REs out west (in Denver) and they told her she would never conceive with her own eggs, her egg quality was too poor. She decided to try one cycle with her own eggs and with just one embryo to transfer conceived her son. When he was 6 months old she got pregnant naturally. (A lot of people say your body needs a jumpstart and pregnancy does that, but she had poor egg quality). So, while the doctors do know a lot, remember THEY DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING. 
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Anonymous
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Hi PP, just want to point out that this is what your friend TOLD you. I obviously don't know if she was telling the truth or not, but it is at least possible that she went the donor egg route and has chosen not to tell anyone. I told no one, not anyone in my family or even my best friend.
The odds of conceiving with only one or two eggs is close to zero, but hey, I suppose it can happen. My only point is that people hear these stories and keep trying when maybe they need to move to other options. If the story is true, that is OK, but if it is not, it is doing people a disservice. Listen, b/c I havent' told anyone, I am sure I gave people false hopes and I am not proud of that. |
Anonymous
I was 37 when I tried with my own eggs. 39 going on 40 when I moved to donor eggs. Had my first child when I was about to turn 41, and had my second when I was 43. Dr. said my egg quality was low, probably do to age. The 13 number includes the donor cycyles, which isn't as damaging on my body but still, I did do tons of estrogen and progesterone. I did 5-6 cycles trying with my own eggs. I have great insurance, thank god, though for my first donor cycle, my insurance did not pay for the donor side of things. When I tried the second time, our firm had moved to a different plan, and the donor cycles were covered. And let me just throw in here that for my second child, my first pregnancy test after the cycle registered at 19 -- yes 19. But I still had a beautiful baby girl. . . . Now trying to convince my husband to try for a third -- have 4 blasts leftover. |
Anonymous
| Thanks for the encouraging stories. It is good to be reminded that as long as I am willing to be flexible, I will be a mother some day!!! |