This is a hard one. If the issue is chromosomal and/or recurrent miscarriages, I'd wait if you are anxious on timing. I assume Dr. F recommended doing PGD for the embryos given your prior issues? If that's the case, at least you'll know that the embryo will be chromosomally normal (doesn't guarantee a healthy pregnancy by any means but does mean that the embryo was normal at the outset). In most other cases, I'd say go for it. But your case seems to be one that would benefit from PGD at the outset.

OP again - let me ask you all this: We have one cycle left before we get started. My nurse said, 'Go ahead and use this cycle to keep trying on your own.' If you were in my shoes, would you? Or should I deliberately not try? I'm afraid I'll get pregnant with an unhealthy fetus and waste months. Of course, it could be healthy. Or I could not get pregnant (most likely as we've been trying for seven months now).

Also, FWIW, the chromosomal problem that my last baby had was not age-related, it was very rare and random.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so sorry for your previous losses. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you.

I totally agree about the "odds of first try" response above. I am a PP who is currently cycling with an FET at the end of the month. I am 30, perfect health, and our diagnosis was male factor, which ICSI is designed for. Based on the "odds" I should have been pregnant first cycle. But it failed. Because cycles fail unexpectedly ALL the time for no obvious reason. So please do not go into this thinking it will work on the first try. It might, which would be amazing! But you have an equal chance of it failing. I went into my first cycle 100% sure it would be successful, so I was beyond devastated when it wasn't. Much more realistic about this FET.

She actually has a greater chance of any one cycle failing, based on her age. OP, you can do this but don't set yourself up to be devastated. Stay positive but realistic. It's the only way to survive long-term.

I am not a risk-taker by nature; that's why I'm freaking out about this. The thought of gambling so much of what little money we have and ending up with nothing is too much to handle.

I really feel for you OP. I get it. But it is what it is. Don't put your head in the sand. If you end up spending the money and you have nothing, you will know you tried and that you didn't act out of fear. You are pursuing what you want. No shame in that decision.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am so sorry for your previous losses. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you.

I totally agree about the "odds of first try" response above. I am a PP who is currently cycling with an FET at the end of the month. I am 30, perfect health, and our diagnosis was male factor, which ICSI is designed for. Based on the "odds" I should have been pregnant first cycle. But it failed. Because cycles fail unexpectedly ALL the time for no obvious reason. So please do not go into this thinking it will work on the first try. It might, which would be amazing! But you have an equal chance of it failing. I went into my first cycle 100% sure it would be successful, so I was beyond devastated when it wasn't. Much more realistic about this FET.

She actually has a greater chance of any one cycle failing, based on her age. OP, you can do this but don't set yourself up to be devastated. Stay positive but realistic. It's the only way to survive long-term.

I am not a risk-taker by nature; that's why I'm freaking out about this. The thought of gambling so much of what little money we have and ending up with nothing is too much to handle.

Anonymous wrote:I am so sorry for your previous losses. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you.

I totally agree about the "odds of first try" response above. I am a PP who is currently cycling with an FET at the end of the month. I am 30, perfect health, and our diagnosis was male factor, which ICSI is designed for. Based on the "odds" I should have been pregnant first cycle. But it failed. Because cycles fail unexpectedly ALL the time for no obvious reason. So please do not go into this thinking it will work on the first try. It might, which would be amazing! But you have an equal chance of it failing. I went into my first cycle 100% sure it would be successful, so I was beyond devastated when it wasn't. Much more realistic about this FET.

She actually has a greater chance of any one cycle failing, based on her age. OP, you can do this but don't set yourself up to be devastated. Stay positive but realistic. It's the only way to survive long-term.

I am so sorry for your previous losses. I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you.

I totally agree about the "odds of first try" response above. I am a PP who is currently cycling with an FET at the end of the month. I am 30, perfect health, and our diagnosis was male factor, which ICSI is designed for. Based on the "odds" I should have been pregnant first cycle. But it failed. Because cycles fail unexpectedly ALL the time for no obvious reason. So please do not go into this thinking it will work on the first try. It might, which would be amazing! But you have an equal chance of it failing. I went into my first cycle 100% sure it would be successful, so I was beyond devastated when it wasn't. Much more realistic about this FET.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thank you, everyone.

I'm new to this, so I don't know if it makes a difference, but I was able to conceive three times on my own, and lost those pregnancies for varying reasons (one missed MC, one ectopic, one late-diagnosed chromosomal problem), but never had trouble carrying, either.

There is nothing medically wrong with me (that any doctor has found). My husband and I are both chromosomally normal. I just haven't been able to conceive since my last loss, which was a late-term D&E. So I'm wondering if this ups my chances of IVF working on the first try? I'm 39 1/2.

I'm praying that, for the price of this first round, we'll get a few viable embryos that would allow us to try for another child later.

OP, I don't think anyone, including Dr F, can tell you whether you will get pregnant on the first try. I am not trying to be a downer, but I will say that at 39 1/2, that isn't the most likely outcome. Just be mentally prepared for that and hope for the best at the same time. That's all anyone can do. I think the thing to focus on is that you are going to a great doctor who will really listen to you and will help you make the best choices you can to try to get pregnant. There are no guarantees, but all you can do in the awful IF game is take one day, one decision, one procedure at a time. You are doing everything that you have control over. Good luck OP.

OP here - thank you, everyone.

I'm new to this, so I don't know if it makes a difference, but I was able to conceive three times on my own, and lost those pregnancies for varying reasons (one missed MC, one ectopic, one late-diagnosed chromosomal problem), but never had trouble carrying, either.

There is nothing medically wrong with me (that any doctor has found). My husband and I are both chromosomally normal. I just haven't been able to conceive since my last loss, which was a late-term D&E. So I'm wondering if this ups my chances of IVF working on the first try? I'm 39 1/2.

I'm praying that, for the price of this first round, we'll get a few viable embryos that would allow us to try for another child later.

Currently a Dr. F. patient. First IVF failed and wasn't particularly successful (only had one to transfer and one to freeze). Second IVF, he switched up the protocol and I have 6 frozen. Doing an FET at the end of April (he didn't want to do a fresh transfer this time to let my body heal). I totally echo the sentiment that he is a perfectionist. He will start conservatively with your first cycle and if it doesn't work, he takes personal care and attention to change the protocol. This doesn't happen at other clinics generally as I understand it. You will not get a calendar, you will not be fit into a one size fits all box, etc.

We had insurance for 3 cycles, so it's easy for me to be down with Dr. F because while I was beyond devastated when the first cycle failed, I knew we had 2 more chances to get it right and he did on round 2 (just in terms of response - I am not yet pregnant so can't comment on that!) If you are on limited funds and just want to play the numbers game, go to Shady Grove. They do the shared risk, 6 cycle for I believe 22K. GWU does not do that. But, you will get personalized attention and a doctor that really, really wants to get you pregnant. I have never for one moment felt like Dr. F did not care about us or about helping us get pregnant.

I hope this helps! Happy to answer any more questions you have

Dr Frankfurter is amazing. Smart, thoughtful, and will give you and your case serious thought and attention. He is a busy man and you will see and sometimes feel that he is busy. But when he's with you, he is efficient, focused, and fully present. You will not just be a number at their practice. He's terrific. Good luck OP.

Frankfurter was nice and kept switching protocols with us until we were successful. Great bedside manner coupled with real technical skill and knowledge. Hard to find.

We did IVF with PGD at GW with Dr. F. We had no normal embies from that cycle. Switched to DE and got pg on our first try. IMO GW is the best IVF practice in the area. We loved, loved, loved Dr. F.

However, if you only have limited funds, you might want to look at Shady Grove. They have a shared risk program that gives you 6 tries for the same price.

Anonymous wrote:Don't give up. I was so defeated (3 miscarriages, 2 rounds of clomid, failed IUI, and chemical pregnancy with IVF and two failed frozen cycles). I switched to Dr Frankfurter. My first cycle failed, and I did another fresh cycle (my insurance was running out so I decided to do another fresh rather than frizen) and I now not only have twins, but another beautiful baby. I was praying for one child and never in a million years thought I'd be blessed with three. I swear he is the reason it worked because he will keep changing the protocol until it works. He is a perfectionist and really loves the medicine. I know it's so awful and is probably taking a toll on you so I am sending good vibes your way. Also, I have friends who have had success with him too

OP here - thanks for this. Unfortunately I have zero insurance coverage and limited funds, so I'm really counting on getting it right ASAP. I'm praying that we get at least a few healthy embryos out of this (we'll be doing PGD as well) because we can't afford to keep trying if we fail.

Don't give up. I was so defeated (3 miscarriages, 2 rounds of clomid, failed IUI, and chemical pregnancy with IVF and two failed frozen cycles). I switched to Dr Frankfurter. My first cycle failed, and I did another fresh cycle (my insurance was running out so I decided to do another fresh rather than frizen) and I now not only have twins, but another beautiful baby. I was praying for one child and never in a million years thought I'd be blessed with three. I swear he is the reason it worked because he will keep changing the protocol until it works. He is a perfectionist and really loves the medicine. I know it's so awful and is probably taking a toll on you so I am sending good vibes your way. Also, I have friends who have had success with him too

I am about ready to pull the trigger on IVF and have already met with Dr. Frankfurter a few times. My husband and I like him, but I want to be sure we're making the right choice in doctors. Anyone have an opinion on him and his practice, one way or another? Thanks.