3rd round of NC IVF?
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Anonymous
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Background: We are at DF. Our primary issue is male factor (extremely low sperm count, below 1mm), and testing revealed that I also have low AMH (I think it was 0.57). I am 30, husband is 31. We did 2 rounds of natural cycle IVF, and transferred an embryo each time, but both were negative. Trying to decide whether to go whole hog with stimulated IVF or try natural cycle one more time. I had been hoping to avoid stims since I ovulate regularly, but this process is really no fun and I'm starting to think stims might be the way to go.
We are paying out of pocket, but will have some insurance coverage for IVF starting in January of next year (will be capped at 10k, so not enough to fully cover a round of regular IVF). I'm leaning towards doing one more natural cycle this fall OOP (possibly trying an endo scratch first?), then moving on to regular IVF in January if that fails. But we could also just go straight to stims and pay for the whole thing OOP, which could make the whole process shorter (assuming I respond to stims, which is not a given with my AMH #). I know it seems nutty not to wait three months to save $10k (especially as I write this out!), but this whole roller coaster is making me crazy and I want it to end. So this is a long-winded way of saying, did the 3rd (or more) cycle of natural cycle IVF work for anyone? |
Anonymous
| I have no experience with NCIVF but have you considered mini IVF? Often this is cheaper than traditional IVF -- at least the meds will be. Hardly any injections. It worked for me when I was 29/30. My AMH is the same as yours, and actually j just had 3 failed full IVF cycles (high stim) and am moving onto a lower stim cycle at a new clinic. |
Anonymous
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I also did NCIVF at Dominion. I found the process to be pretty easy, and I don't trust what pumping your body full of the drugs does. so, I'd try another NCIVF. I feel like if you transferred two already you have a good shot.
Were they 3d or 5d embryos? |
Anonymous
| I had an amh of 1 at 28, a year before I actually cycled (who knows what it was by then) and l didn't get as many eggs as I should have, even with higher stims. In fact I think all it did was fry the ones I did get because the quality was horrid. Had success while on a break cycle. I'd recommend either continuing with the ncivf or trying low stim elsewhere (I don't think dominion does low stim). |
Anonymous
OP here - I agree the process itself isn't too bad, it's mostly just that it's starting to take an emotional toll. I had one 3d and one 5d embryo. Mini-ivf does sound like it could be a good option for me, but I like DF and would like to stay there if possible. All the docs and staff are great, plus it's really close to my house. |
Anonymous
| With your medical history and stats you're completely wasting your time doing this type of ivf. Wow. You need to find another re and o ky out yourself through procedures that may work. |
Anonymous
| Given your age, I think you can wait before spenDing 10k out of pocket unless money is not an issue. I don't know anything about NC IVF. |
Anonymous
Do you know why they did a 5d with one? I would just keep slugging away. |
Anonymous
+1. DF is strining you along. |
Anonymous
| I love DF and although they do NCIVF they also do a lot of stim IVF. I was afraid of the drugs at first but given my age 34, and desire to have two kids (not at the same time) stim IVF was a better deal. I'm currently pregnant from first transfer and have 5 frosties for later. |
Anonymous
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OP - You really need to think through - what is a stimulated cycle going to get you?
Quite obviously, more eggs. But more eggs means more embryos means more choices for transfer. So if your problem is that you think your embryos making the transfer are not of the highest possible quality - then go with a regular IVF. If you don't think that's your problem, then I'm not sure a stimulated cycle will get you much. |
Anonymous
| Dominion does not do low stim IVF. I asked about it since it is supposed to work well for women with low AMH. |
Anonymous
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I would wait until January when you have coverage to do a regular IVF. Does you insurance cover the meds and the cycle? That would be really generous.
I know it seems that every month that passes is wasted time, but really 3 months is not a lot, especially considering that you are only 30 years old. Also, it takes 2-3 months for the male body to make a sperm so this can give your husband the time to eat healthy, exercise and do the "baby dance" with you (regular ejaculation improves sperm quality over time). Also, I don't think you are the ideal candidate for NC IVF. Usually it's for older women who have poor egg quality. Age is strongly correlated to egg quality, so even though you have low AMH, the eggs you do produce should be good. I have to add the caveat that if it takes an unreasonably high dose of meds to stim the quality can be severely compromised. So try to enjoy the next 3 months and head into IVF refreshed and motivated. |
Anonymous
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Other questions to consider
1. Have you done PGD testing? i.e. do you know if the embryos you are testing are chromonsomally normal? 2. Have you considered a FET? |
Anonymous
I think #1 is premature at this point. Assuming they both had normal karyotyping and given their ages, the chromosomes should be normal. |