shared risk at Shady Grove

[Anonymous]

When, if ever, does it make sense NOT to do shared risk for IVF?

I am struggling with this decision. My dr. told me I have a 50-60% chance of success of it working on the 1st try. I obviously don't want to give 20k when it could only cost 10, but what if it doesn't work? I really need advice. Thanks all!!

[Anonymous]

My husband might answer that we shouldn't have. I'm now 12 weeks pregnant after first IVF was successful, and we signed up for Shared Risk even after having been told that there was a good chance it would work on the first try. (36 years old, 1 DS who is 2.5). And, we've got 5 blasts frozen and don't want more kids.

We're out of pocket payers, and I just knew I'd be a mess especially during the first three months with worry of miscarriage. It looks like this will be a viable pregnancy, and I have to say I'm OK with the fact that we're out an extra 10K. I just wish I could funnel that money directly to others who are paying on their own, rather to the SGF's bottom line!

[Anonymous]

I have insurance coverage so am not doing shared risk. However, when I first started the IVF process I was told that I would likely be a fairly straightforward case and that there's a good chance I would get pregnant on the first try. My diagnosis was unexplained infertility. I have now gone through two cycles and learned that I am a poor responder. Doctors are baffled and can't tell me why, and now they are pushing donor eggs. I'm now looking at the possibility of shared risk with donor eggs. What I know is that I wouldn't regret having paid another $10-$15k for shared risk if I get pregnant the first time. But I would regret not getting any money back if I didn't do shared risk, and went for multiple IVFs without a viable pregnancy. I think it really just depends on level of risk aversion.

[Anonymous]

11:56- OP here, thanks so much for your answer.

You REALLY are OK that you're out the 10k? All you care about is that you have a viable pregnancy, and the money is a non-issue in the end, right? I feel like I would think the same thing- thank GD this whole thing is behind me, and I can carry on with my life. I have a daughter already, and just want one more too. Seems like we have very similar situations- please send me some baby dust!!

What led you to do the shared risk in the first place? The miscarriage worry?

[Anonymous]

11:56- how did you conceive your first child, btw? If you don't mind my asking. If this was your first IVF ever- how do you think it compared to IUI (or other treatments if you've had)?

[Anonymous]

I did shared risk (was a very promising case -- age 32 and unexplained IF). I was devastated when my first cycle failed -- if it had succeed I would have been so happy even though I would have been out $10K. In the end I did three cycles, all failures. I then got my $$$$ back and went to Cornell.

If you think you'd only do one cycle either way, then I think NOT doing shared risk might make sense. But if you think you might do 2-3 cycles if you could afford it, then I would do shared risk. It was so nice to not have the added financial stress on top of the emotional stress!!!!!

[Anonymous]

I signed up for shared risk in the hopes of having more than one try if needed but after two attempts SGF told me I can't continue and gave us our money back. The money back is nice, but what I really wanted was an RE to help me succeed. I feel like I didn't fit their mold so I was kicked out despite having a normal FSH and AMH.

[Anonymous]

what makes them kick you out?? what is "their mold"?

[Anonymous]

were you successful at Cornell?

[Anonymous]

11:56 poster here. I thought the first child was conceived mainly due to my being on Metformin for PCOS (although both my OB and I believe that this is not really an accurate diagnosis). Regardless, I started again on Metformin the next time around, assuming it would work -- and I was wrong. Could have been stress (although I think that is bunk); it was probably just age (I was 2 years older... who really knows). Fast forward 1.5 years later, at least 8 timed cycles of Clomid alone, then Clomid plus injectables, then 1 round of IUI (complete waste of money IMO) and then 1 round of IVF.

To answer your question though, yes, I really am OK with losing the 10K. It's a LOT of money yes, but, big picture wise, one just can't put a price on a child. At least not for me/us.

Finally, the reason we did Shared Risk is because I was a slow starter... and I was worried about not being a good responder at all. So, we signed up due to that, and then of course, days later, everything started going smoothly....

Hope that helps. Good luck with your decision!

[Anonymous]

Who qualifies for shared risk at Shady Grove?

[Anonymous]

13:45 here - yes I was successful at Cornell.

[Anonymous]

I did shared risk TWICE and got pregnant both times on the first attempt. I was so scared of failure and wanted the insurance but looking back, I wish I hadn't done it. I feel like I bet against myself. Obviously the plus is I have 2 wonderful kids but I sure wish I had that extra 20K now!

[Anonymous]

I did Shared Risk with ICSI -- young, no fertility issues on my side, just male factor. I did one fresh cycle resulting in miscarriage, and then a FET cycle that worked. So I'm out about $5000-$7000, I think, and it was worth it to me. Yes, I could use that $5000 -- I took out a loan and will be paying it off for a while, and we're now thinking about a second try. But not "losing" the money made the failed cycle/miscarriage much less stressful, and I only had one embryo to put back in for the FET, so I would have been much more stressed out about that cycle working if I knew I'd have to pay and start again if it failed. Starting to try for #2 now, and I probably won't do it again, though, since I have one child and am not yet as desperate for a second one.

[Anonymous]

Signed up and accepted into shared risk but kicked to the curb after one cycle despite normal FSH and AMH, looking into other options like DE locally or CCRM for last try.