TTC at 41 - Would you use eggs frozen at 36?

[Anonymous]

I froze eggs,

[Anonymous]

Whoops, OP here- I froze eggs right when I turned 37 and ended up meeting dh and conceiving our child naturally later that year. Now probably going to try for a 2nd. I am considering whether we should just do IVF so that we could get pre implatation genetic screening. Does this seem crazy? Cost is a factor but not determinative. Curious what others think.

[Anonymous]

Yes it seems crazy to do IVF if you don't think you'll have a problem conceiving naturally.

[Anonymous]

Are you worried about chromosomal issues? In your shoes I'd give it a go on my own first. Make sure your thyroid is in good shape (those issues creep up in your late 30s, you want your tsh 2.0 or below) and vitamin D as well, but I'd try at least. Better to try on your own now and have the frozen a as plan B. At 41 you still have a good chance of getting pregnant on your own. It will be harder in 2-3 years.

[Anonymous]

If you are serious about #2, I think I would try IVF for the reason you said (understanding that PGD doesn't test for everything and you will still want at least free cell DNA test and possibly cvs/amnio) and save the frozen eggs for back up. At 41, not everyone has success at IVF so it's nice that you have the frozen eggs to fall back on.

Either way, there are supplements that fertility doctors recommend for 3 months for egg quality before retrieval - wouldn't hurt to get ahold of the list whether you pursue IVF or try naturally in the meantime.

[Anonymous]

I would try conceiving naturally for a short period (like <6mos), and doing all genetic testing as early as possible. IVF is no guarantee, even if you haven't had prior fertility problems, and it's expensive, and there are a lot of medical appointments and procedures involved ...

And, most importantly, at 41, while the risk of genetic problems is higher, the likelihood of a normal pregnancy is still well over 90%. It seems worth it to me to take one shot at it before you really fall off the over-40 fertility cliff in the following couple of years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would try conceiving naturally for a short period (like <6mos), and doing all genetic testing as early as possible. IVF is no guarantee, even if you haven't had prior fertility problems, and it's expensive, and there are a lot of medical appointments and procedures involved ...

And, most importantly, at 41, while the risk of genetic problems is higher, the likelihood of a normal pregnancy is still well over 90%. It seems worth it to me to take one shot at it before you really fall off the over-40 fertility cliff in the following couple of years.

Not sure where you are getting that statistic? Likilhood of pregnancy after year of trying at 41 is more in the 30% range... https://www.babycenter.com/0_chart-the-effect-of-age-on-fertility_6155.bc

[Anonymous]

I conceived at age 41 naturally with no problems. Given you have conceived naturally before, it seems try low-tech first before going the IVF route. IVF is a great option if you need it, but why put your body through that if you don't have to.

Also, PP, I think poster meant, once you are pregnancy the chance of a healthy pregnancy is over 90%.

[Anonymous]

I'd try naturally first. It's a great back up to have your frozen eggs in case things don't work out with the natural pregnancy. I'd also consult a doctor to see just how significant the difference is.

And btw, you wouldn't need to do IVF since you already have the eggs. They would just need to get your DH's sperm and create an embryo. Then you would go through the Frozen Embryo Transfer protocol which includes a whole lot of injections for several months. It's not as involved and expensive as IVF but it's still quite a process in itself. But good for you for freezing your eggs earlier in life!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I conceived at age 41 naturally with no problems. Given you have conceived naturally before, it seems try low-tech first before going the IVF route. IVF is a great option if you need it, but why put your body through that if you don't have to.

Also, PP, I think poster meant, once you are pregnancy the chance of a healthy pregnancy is over 90%.

But that's not accurate either. Miscarriage rate at 41 is in the 30%+ range, and that's not counting all the earlier chemical pregnancies. http://www.advancedfertility.com/age-miscarriage.htm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I conceived at age 41 naturally with no problems. Given you have conceived naturally before, it seems try low-tech first before going the IVF route. IVF is a great option if you need it, but why put your body through that if you don't have to.

Also, PP, I think poster meant, once you are pregnancy the chance of a healthy pregnancy is over 90%.

But that's not accurate either. Miscarriage rate at 41 is in the 30%+ range, and that's not counting all the earlier chemical pregnancies. http://www.advancedfertility.com/age-miscarriage.htm

I could be wrong, but I think PP was specifically talking about "healthy" related to genetic conditions, i.e. trisomies etc that are screened in first trimester screens, not talking about losses. Regardless, I would try to conceive naturally before going through IVF.

[Anonymous]

Yes it is crazy to do IVF when there is no indication you need it. Try naturally first. you can get genetic testing at 10w w cell free DNA or CVS, you don't need testing at the embryo stage. Given the cost of IVF ($ and time), it makes no sense to start there.

[Anonymous]

If you were seeing an RE there's no way they'd start with IVF. if TI fails, IUI is where you go next.

[Anonymous]

I'd always try for the free baby first. Do the genetic testing early.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I conceived at age 41 naturally with no problems. Given you have conceived naturally before, it seems try low-tech first before going the IVF route. IVF is a great option if you need it, but why put your body through that if you don't have to.

Also, PP, I think poster meant, once you are pregnancy the chance of a healthy pregnancy is over 90%.

But that's not accurate either. Miscarriage rate at 41 is in the 30%+ range, and that's not counting all the earlier chemical pregnancies. http://www.advancedfertility.com/age-miscarriage.htm

I could be wrong, but I think PP was specifically talking about "healthy" related to genetic conditions, i.e. trisomies etc that are screened in first trimester screens, not talking about losses. Regardless, I would try to conceive naturally before going through IVF.

I'm not the PP, but I think what she means is that, if you conceive and the pregnancy goes to term, there is over a 90% chance that the baby will be healthy. I believe that is accurate. Most chromosomal abnormalities are incompatible with life and result in a miscarriage.

PP, I would try on your own and have early testing. I had a perfectly healthy baby naturally at 40. Good luck!