RE Comments about Age?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

My OB wants me to go for a consult with an RE, as we have been TTC #2 for five months and in addition to some mild male factor issues my Day 2 numbers aren't great (I just turned 39). Given how much of a role stress plays in TCC, I'm hesitant to go into a situation where we're told that we have no hope because of my age. So before I pick an RE, I wanted to see if anyone had experiences being told that right off the bat that they were "too old" and should just go to donor eggs.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Yes- washington fertility center- don't go there- great at donor egg - but that's not what we wanted to hear- go to a few re's-pick one you feel comfortable with- the "standard" is to go to an re after 6 months if over 35 and no success (which we did both times) don't lose hope before even going- but above all- lake appts iwth a few places (check out washingtonian's top dr to get a good list) soif one tells you egg donor- then move on.. also- ask for %'s- I asked for % solo (after 1 yr of no success and 5 iuis), % iui and % ivf..best wishes

[Anonymous]

I got pregnant at 41 through Shady Grove using my own eggs. The use of donor eggs never came up. Discussion of age was raised, but I was the one asking the questions and my RE (Dr. Greenhouse) was actually the one reassuring me. I'll admit that I was worried since the stats for women over 40 are not that great. I do think that docs look at the whole picture -- not just your age. What you have going in your favor is that you already have a child and I believe that greatly improves your odds of getting pregnant again.

[Anonymous]

What was your FSH when it was measured?

[Anonymous]

I was 42-just shy of 43-when I had my first child with my own eggs. I had 3 m/c before I had a successful pregnancy. I had had a consultation with Dominion Fertility-but was pregnant at our first u/s (I didn't know I was). I know lots of women over 40 who have had babies!

[Anonymous]

OP here. My FSH was 11.3, Estradoil was 86, which worries me more. (My understanding is that FSH fluctuates, but I'm not sure about estradoil.)

If anyone has any good resources that could help me understand the numbers better, I'd appreciate hearing about them. I'm hesitant go in without being able to ask intelligent questions about their meaning. (Particularly interested in how much stress impacts the numbers).

Thanks!

P.S. What is the usual wait time to get in with an RE?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi,

My OB wants me to go for a consult with an RE, as we have been TTC #2 for five months and in addition to some mild male factor issues my Day 2 numbers aren't great (I just turned 39). Given how much of a role stress plays in TCC, I'm hesitant to go into a situation where we're told that we have no hope because of my age. So before I pick an RE, I wanted to see if anyone had experiences being told that right off the bat that they were "too old" and should just go to donor eggs.

Thanks!

after suffering 3 miscarriages, last one at age 40, I was told it was age related and to accept the fact I had one and be happy. I changed Doc's and he did a simple test that showed I had a IV Factor problem, I now have number 2, had him at 41. Change doc's if you do not like the answer you are getting. Had I listened to my doc my little girl would be an only child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My FSH was 11.3, Estradoil was 86, which worries me more. (My understanding is that FSH fluctuates, but I'm not sure about estradoil.)

Your FSH is low enough that I would not imagine an RE would begin talking about donor eggs at this point. If you visit one and they do, then I would leave.

Some smaller clinics do select out older women from their IVF practices because they want their success rates to appear higher (so they like working with younger women with younger eggs who just have ovulation challenges or other issues). However, most practices - from what I understand - will work with almost anyone for IUI with injectibles because those numbers are not reported to the NIH as the IVF numbers are.

FSH does fluctuate, but you are usually kind of branded by your highest measurement because the doctors see the highest number as the true measurement of your ovarian reserve (how many eggs you have left - higher FSH means your body has to work harder, send out more follicle stimulating hormone, to get the follicles to respond).

I got pg with my own eggs using IUI and injectibles - along with acupuncture and traditional chinese medicine (which I highly recommend you consider) - at the age of 40 and my highest FSH was 18.5 (although it fluctuated down to 11-14 and was 9 on the cycle when I got pg - and that was specifically due to the fact that I had been doing the acupuncture as well for a month and a half). This was in NYC, so I won't bother giving the referral. However, I will note that I was NOT a candidate for IVF due to my poor response to the injectibles alone (I was producing only one mature follicle each cycle - whereas they need AT LEAST 4 in order to proceed with IVF) and my RE had begun talking about donor eggs. Then the effects of the acupuncture kicked in, I produced 4 mature follicles and one healthy baby. And this was using frozen donor sperm - which lowered the odds even further.

So, my message to you is to quit wasting time feeling self-defensive and get yourself to a couple of visits to different RE's and then pick one and get started. Also, there is lots of info on acupuncturists on here if you do a search.

GL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. My FSH was 11.3, Estradoil was 86, which worries me more. (My understanding is that FSH fluctuates, but I'm not sure about estradoil.)

If anyone has any good resources that could help me understand the numbers better, I'd appreciate hearing about them. I'm hesitant go in without being able to ask intelligent questions about their meaning. (Particularly interested in how much stress impacts the numbers).

Thanks!

P.S. What is the usual wait time to get in with an RE?

I would agree w/PP, just make apts with REs and take it from there- it doesn't take long to get in.. rather than assume the worst, just know that you'll find people you like and ones you don't- I'd recommend visiting at least 3-4.. it's worth it since once you start down a form of treatment, it's harder to move away- i was wrapped up on wanting to get pregnant yesterday after so many m/c's and waiting for AF.. good luck and let us know how it goes!