secondary fertility recomendation for over 40 in VA

[Anonymous]

I conceived 18 months ago, have a healthy 9 month old and have been TTC for 6 months. Charting, taking supplements, etc. First call to fertility clinic and they told me the only option is donor egg. Just because I'm over 40 -- doesn't matter that I just got pregnant. I can't wrap my mind around that my last egg was 18 months ago and want other choices.

[Anonymous]

That's not right! What clinic did you call? All the big ones in the area treat pts over 40, and even if they tell you that DE has the best chance of success that doesn't mean it's your only option. What is your FSH, AMH?

[Anonymous]

who told you that? did a doctor tell you that over the phone?
weird! they first run a battery of tests and then come up with a plan of action based on the results and not solely based on your age, and that too, over the phone!

[Anonymous]

OP here: all of my tests were done in August 2008 and I conceived naturally in December 08. Last week the Mausher clinic told me over the phone, based solely on my age, that DE the only option. Thanks for the support: I will call around as I do want other options.

[Anonymous]

Try Dr Gordon at Dominion Fertility, he's really good.

[Anonymous]

That's crazy! Try Columbia Fertility (Dr Sacks), Dominion Fertility (Dr Gordon) or Shady Grove (Dr Greenhouse). I assume you weren't breastfeeding? Even so, it can take a while for your hormones to get back to normal, especially if your baby isn't sleeping through the night.

[Anonymous]

You definitely need a second opinion and I vote for Dr. Gordon, he's right down the street from GIVF and Musher.

[Anonymous]

You need to see another RE, I'm at Dominion Fertility and I like them so far, but I'm sure any place would be better than your current one. I consulted 3 different places before doing a cycle.

[Anonymous]

I did traditional high stim IVF with Dr. Gordon at Dominion. I got my take home TWO with eggs retrieved the day before my 42nd birthday.

Dominion is known for doing personalized treatment...and not making ANY treatment decisions before they have seen you and made their own assessment.

Now, with that said, Dr. G did give me a cut off of what he felt the limits with my own eggs would be...and that was working with my eggs up until 44. But that didn't mean he wouldn't 'try'...just that he felt that was a reasonable stopping point.

Dominion is also giving AMA ladies (with diminished ovarian reserve- or high FSH) a lower cost option with NC-IVF...look into their "New Hope" program.

I wouldn't work with ANYONE who gave me absolutes over the phone.

WLD

[Anonymous]

OP again: I have consults w/ Sacks at Columbia and GIVF. Saw Dr. Gordon at Dominion in August 2008 and he said it would be malpractice to suggest IVF to someone w/ my results, conceived naturally 4 months later. I asked both about whether IVF was an option, given my age, and both said yes, depending on test results. So I am optimistic. Thanks for the advice - and the support. The support is awesome.

[Anonymous]

OP--I'm not sure what your results,/levels are, but if a clinic told you not to do IVF because you are just over 40, that is ridiculous. I'm 41 and I recently got pregnant from my first IVF with Dr. Sacks. He's great! Being over 40 does not mean you have to resort immediately to donor eggs. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I got pregnant naturally at 42 delivered when I was 43. I won't have another but I probably could still get pregnant. I know someone who got pregnant naturally at 50. Don't give up.