AMA--Is testing with an RE worthwhile if we probably won't do IVF/DE?

[Anonymous]

I went to GWU after SG. Some of the tips and ideas they gave us - who knows what worked? - we think helped us conceive naturally. We didn't realize DH's slow sperm was a factor so that was good to know. IMO, it's best not to rule any answer out until you know the problem -- I would not say not to IVF/DE until you can make an informed decision. Only you can tell if testing will get you the information you need. DH was very opposed to IVF, so didn't want to test -- didn't need IVF as it turns out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am in a similar situation - 39, with a young child (10 months) conceived easily. I was also told to do a bunch of tests, including HSG (I guess this is the one you mentioned as being "very unpleasant"). This was at CFA. I have resisted doing HSG so far but the pressure is mounting.

Our RE is apparently a big fan of tests which I don't understand. All they can do is IUI and IVF. If IUI works, it works, if it doesn't work I don't need to know why it doesn't work because either way I will either do IVF or not.

I hate how there is this culture of testing that is expensive, takes a lot of time, is painful.. and then the REs take all of 2 seconds to look over the results.

IUI and IVF are definitely not the only options. There are definitely drugs and shots you can take to help you get pregnant. We had medical help for both our pregnancies, and never did an IUI or IVF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would say go on with the tests that way you can know and move one with life. Closure is a good thing and you may be surprised at what you are able to achieve with a little assistance. GW is great at working with people who have limited resources, just ask your nurse for some help

Agree, plus you don't know that your solution will be IVF/ DE, it could be something much simpler. I went to an RE for testing and didn't need to use ART.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would work everything available to you as others suggest, but if it comes down to it, be sure to look at the more affordable options for DE before you rule it out. SG has some of the most affordable split cycles in the country. CNY in the Finger Lakes region of NY used to be a lower cost DE option, but I understand they've gone to a new pricing model; still might be worth checking out. I went overseas to the Czech Republic as the bottom had just fallen out of the stock market. I have twins from my second cycle there. And, if you can live without a genetic connection, demand for donor embryos exceeds supply, but it's worth researching.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

IUI and IVF are definitely not the only options. There are definitely drugs and shots you can take to help you get pregnant. We had medical help for both our pregnancies, and never did an IUI or IVF.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but can someone tell me more about this? I have asked my RE at SGF and they have told me more than once that my only options are IUI or IVF. What drugs/shots are there that can help? What did they help do? TIA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

IUI and IVF are definitely not the only options. There are definitely drugs and shots you can take to help you get pregnant. We had medical help for both our pregnancies, and never did an IUI or IVF.

Sorry to hijack this thread, but can someone tell me more about this? I have asked my RE at SGF and they have told me more than once that my only options are IUI or IVF. What drugs/shots are there that can help? What did they help do? TIA.

Not the PP, but one example would be taking Clomid or the same injectibles that lead up to IUI, doing the trigger shot, and then having timed intercourse instead of the IUI. That route might be less expensive and invasive, but it is only an option in certain circumstances. I've also heard of taking suppressant injections to treat certain female conditions and then having timed intercourse for a few cycles afterward. Again, neither was an option for me personally, so your RE could be telling the truth for your diagnosis.

[Anonymous]

HSG was not at all painful for me either. I took a pain reliever ahead of time and was shocked how not bad it was after all the talk on the internet. And this is coming from someone with apparently blocked tubes!

[Anonymous]

HSG: First time pain-free. Second time was excruciating!!!

[Anonymous]

PP who hates testing here. I finally took HSG today and it didn't hurt at all.

[Anonymous]

Maybe I am missing something here, but if the OP has had a child naturally, why would an HSG even be necessary? I imagine the likely hood of your tubes becoming blocked when they were recently open, is very slim, correct? In your case, I say skip it for sure...it just doesn't make sense. I have had a long journey with IF but only one HSG (4 years ago now and currently undergoing IVF), and have had a child since, and no one has asked me to repeat it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe I am missing something here, but if the OP has had a child naturally, why would an HSG even be necessary? I imagine the likely hood of your tubes becoming blocked when they were recently open, is very slim, correct? In your case, I say skip it for sure...it just doesn't make sense. I have had a long journey with IF but only one HSG (4 years ago now and currently undergoing IVF), and have had a child since, and no one has asked me to repeat it.

That was my situation as well - healthy baby 11 months ago. I resisted HSG but after 3 failed IUIs I had to please my RE. It turned out not to be a big deal (at least for me this time around).

[Anonymous]

You can have blocked tubes with secondary infertility. My DD was born in fall of 2009. A couple of weeks ago, my HSG showed that both of my tubes were blocked.

Here's the awesome part--the radiologist was able to open both tubes. So, yeah, HSG is totally worth it.

[Anonymous]

PP from 22:35. DD was conceived on the first try. This time, we've been trying for about a year with no luck. Hopefully, our luck with change with this HSG.