Gearing Up for IVF

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hey, AA, it may just be you and me here! My CD3 are slightly worse than yours, but not awful. That estradiol is a touch low (I think over 50 is best), but maybe that depends on your age? Mine, with DOR at age 34, was 53 for reference. With my numbers, I won't be disappointed if we can't bank any embryos, but hoping to get at least one good one per retrieval cycle. Did your RE talk about protocols yet? They said estrogen priming for me, which is what I expected with the DOR.

Thanks others for the tips. I can't speak for everyone, but yes, I read TCOYF years ago and have been on FF for 4ish years. I started It Starts with the Egg, but aside from CoQ10, my RE didn't recommend anything else (and discouraged DHEA). I should probably finish it soon though, since we're getting close to starting IVF. No BPA, yes CoQ10, DHEA, melatonin, and "clean/organic" eating, right? I had a hard time getting through the author talking about her successes.

--SS

AMA (formerly AA) here again. Seems like we have a few others. So people are not confused, let me explain: we have a TWW thread over in TTC where somehow everyone has taken to signing their posts with their initials.

For estradiol, I was told the normal range is wide. Who is your provided at GW? I'm with Dr. Comstock and love her so far. We haven't talked about protocols yet because we're waiting for my husband to finish a course of antibiotics before he can give his sample.

I hear estrogen is fun, i.e. that people feel great on it, so perhaps there's an upside to all this...

-AMA (appropriate, as i'm about to turn 40. I had my first as a spring chicken, at 36)

[Anonymous]

Thanks for clarifying, AMA!

How did everyone decide between trying IUI first or going right to IVF, assuming money/insurance coverage wasn't the biggest factor? We were given an 8-10% chance at IUI working and were urged to go right to IVF, but said we could try IUI if we wanted. I've been pretty decided on IVF immediately, but am now second guessing myself. Anyone else have the same decision to make?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for clarifying, AMA!

How did everyone decide between trying IUI first or going right to IVF, assuming money/insurance coverage wasn't the biggest factor? We were given an 8-10% chance at IUI working and were urged to go right to IVF, but said we could try IUI if we wanted. I've been pretty decided on IVF immediately, but am now second guessing myself. Anyone else have the same decision to make?

--SS

[Anonymous]

SS, I decided based on two factors:
1) I had no reason to believe an IUI would be successful with my numbers, and given that we had been successful on the first try with #1
2) I didn't want the HSG, and you can only skip it if you go right to IVF. I travel a lot for work longhaul and try to minimize my medical radiation exposure. Call me paranoid but that was a part of my decision.

What are your reasons?
-AMA