article on when to stop trying--new research not good

[Anonymous]

I've failed two IVFs with 2 blastocysts and I'm gearing up for a FET when I read this article--http://healthland.time.com/2010/10/28/researchers-question-when-to-stop-trying-with-ivf/

Not good--totally bummed. This makes it seem like if is hasn't happened within the first two tries, it's not going to.

[Anonymous]

Don't be bummed: "While this type of data could potentially be of great help to doctors and hopeful women deciding how long to continue trying IVF — an expensive procedure at $12,400 per cycle on average — the results of the current study are too preliminary to guide treatment. Also, the researchers did not control for factors that affect fertility, such as age, weight and other factors. Because it is so difficult to predict the individual response of each woman attempting IVF, it is equally difficult to say when or whether a woman should quit trying or switch to other options, such as using donor eggs. Further study will attempt to clarify the odds."

[Anonymous]

Third time was the charm for us! One failed cycle, one pregnancy with FET (m/c @ 9 weeks), then our DD with the third try (a fresh cycle). That said, you need to know your emotional and financial limits with all of this. We have some frozen embryos and will do one more FET, then we're done with this entire process. I can't hack any more than what we've done already.

Talk to your doctor, or get a new one if you think you need to, and see what they say. Our docs at GW, I feel, have always been honest with us about our chances for success. If they had said not to go forward, I think I would have listened. Best wishes to you.

[Anonymous]

Also studies like that don't take into account that switching to a better clinic could increase your odds.

[Anonymous]

Read it again. The article clearly says that Half the people who try a third time succees.

[Anonymous]

For my close friend, the 3rd time was the charm (at 42 no less). I hope the same for you. I also would look at your clinic's statistics more closely than t national averages--they are far more relevant to your personal experience, as there is significant variation in experience, competency, procedure types, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Read it again. The article clearly says that Half the people who try a third time succees.

What they say in the article is a cumulative percent--by the third time, the success is roughly one-half, but that is very little improvement over 2nd.

[Anonymous]

My BFF and I both went through IVF. I was lucky on my first cycle. My BFF got lucky on IVF cycle #10.
Yes. You read that correct.
IVF cycle#10.

[Anonymous]

If you are considering cumulative success rates then you should consider natural cycle IVF, we were successful with our 4th try.

[Anonymous]

some times it takes a while to find the right protocol. I did ivf 5 times - last time stuck. took three different protocals, but then ended up with ectopic before it worked.

[Anonymous]

it took me 8 IVF cycles and several different protocols before I got lucky... I'm just glad I didn't read that article sooner.

[Anonymous]

3 IVFs, first IVF tragic T18 loss...2nd IVF BFN and third IVF b/g twins.

For us, it was an 'age' thing...and getting the right protocol...and probably a lot of luck!

[Anonymous]

We finally got our BFP on our 4th IVF try. We went to 3 different clinics, used 4 different protocols and finally got our BFP. You may have to try several times to find the right protocol. That doesn't mean its not gonna ever happen. I agree with the previous poster that said you may have to go to a better clinic. We ended up going out of state for our BFP but it was totally worth it.