Making the leap from IUI to IVF?

[Anonymous]

I am 35 and DH is 40. We conceived DC #1 2 years go with little intervention (clomid and timed intercourse). We've been trying for #2 for almost a year and have been through 2 rounds of unsuccessful IUI so far. Everything on my side looks fine and for DH counts are a little low but in normal range (except for morphology which is 1%). We recently switched to a new RE who we liked (he is well respected) but we lost confidence in him/the practice on this last IUI (we feel like it was done too late- my last monitoring appointment was on CD 13 and they did the IUI on CD17). We are unlikely to switch though as the clinic has excellent rates and we haven't liked anyone else we interviewed.
We have a follow up scheduled with him this week and are taking this month off and just trying naturally. Our insurance doesn't cover any fertility treatment so at this point we have already spent $3500 on 2 cycles and meds and we are losing patience. We're wondering if we should just make the leap to IVF after this month rather then trying another IUI cycle when we don't have a lot of confidence the end result will be different.
For those who made the leap from multiple IUIs to IVF, what helped you make the decision? Our dr. initially told us we should try 3-4 rounds of IUI first but we feel like we are just throwing money away and not getting any results (or any new information about what is actually wrong). How did you know you were ready to move to the next stage?

[Anonymous]

As a single person, I knew when the iui's were not working, and time was of the essence, as I was 42. 4 ivf's later, still not pregnant, but not giving up yet. I am 43 now. There are no guarantees w/ ivf, either, at any age (unfirtunately!) However, ivf stats are better than iui stats. when to make the switch is a very personal, individual decision, so I think you need another consult to ask your RE 1)what he recommends for the next course of action, ask him why you were not monitored more closely for your last iui, explain his rational for the timing of the last iui. In other words, I think you need more professional feedback from your doc before making the leap.

[Anonymous]

For those who made the leap from multiple IUIs to IVF, what helped you make the decision?

My age (I'm female).

But at 35, with everything looking fine on your end and a successful pregnancy under your belt, I don't know that you have to make that leap right now. Yes, you're paying a lot out of pocket for IUIs now but IVF will be several times more than that.

It's hard not to be anxious, I understand. But you've only had 2 IUIs and one of them was badly timed so maybe it shouldn't count. That means you've just had one "good" IUI. I personally would give it a few more tries. Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the PP. You're only 35 and got pregnant with just timed intercourse not long ago. IVF is not only so much more expensive, but MUCH more involved. Yes, talk to your Doctor about your concerns from the last IUI but I would personally give it a few more tries too because there are no guarantees with IVF either.

[Anonymous]

P.S. I made the leap from IUI to IVF after 5 failed IUI's and because I am now 38. (I have 3 kids from a previous marriage, youngest is 9. Only problem is my husbands morphology is borderline low-4%) We did 2 NCIVF which we transferred a perfect embryo each time but that also didn't work. Now we are trying a fully medicated IVF so we can transfer back 2 embryos instead of one.