[shannobananno]

Hello, I was wondering if anyone who tried IVF due to male-factor (very low count, low motility) tried IVF with DH's sperm, had poor quality embryos and then tried IVF with donor sperm and had high quality embryos? I found a study which concluded that women in these situations had a high rate of success with DS. However, we all know that there is a ton of conflicting information out there. Any anecdotal evidence would be very helpful. Thanks so much!!

[ivfinmd]

Shanno - I'm SO glad you posted this! This is exactly where we're at. We've had two failed natural pregnancies, and two failed rounds of IVF (one resulting in a chemical/possible ectopic). We met with our RE last week and he suggested splitting my next IVF cycle with half DS and half my DH sperm. He said that our quality issues could be related to my DH sperm (he has motility and low sperm count). I never realized that sperm quality could effect the quality of the embabie, so that meeting sure was an eye opener.

I too would love to hear some success stories with DS, where there had been previous embryo quality issues. Anyone out there with a story to share??

[shannobananno]

Originally Posted by ivfinmd

Shanno - I'm SO glad you posted this! This is exactly where we're at. We've had two failed natural pregnancies, and two failed rounds of IVF (one resulting in a chemical/possible ectopic). We met with our RE last week and he suggested splitting my next IVF cycle with half DS and half my DH sperm. He said that our quality issues could be related to my DH sperm (he has motility and low sperm count). I never realized that sperm quality could effect the quality of the embabie, so that meeting sure was an eye opener.

I too would love to hear some success stories with DS, where there had been previous embryo quality issues. Anyone out there with a story to share??

Do you go to Shady Grove?

[ivfinmd]

Yes, I do! I go to the Baltimore/GBMC office and see Dr. Yazigi. Where do you go?

[tygerlilly]

I saw your other post about the adoption, and I almost posted there, but I don't have any experience there lol. I can tell you that we used DS and it was successful for us.

We did 11 IUI's with DS and it did not work. We did one round of IVF and it worked. We have no snowbabies, but my embryos were very good quality. Unfortunately DH is a cancer survivor so there is no chance of natural children so DS was our only option besides adoption. DH wanted to go this route so this is where we are. We were VERY blessed that this worked out well for us, and I hope this helps you!

[shannobananno]

Originally Posted by ivfinmd

Yes, I do! I go to the Baltimore/GBMC office and see Dr. Yazigi. Where do you go?

I go to the office in Columbia. I ask because it is controversial as to whether embryo quality could be poor due to the sperm-related factors. Our doctors seem to concur on this but, they are at the same clinic! What to do?

[shannobananno]

Originally Posted by tygerlilly

I saw your other post about the adoption, and I almost posted there, but I don't have any experience there lol. I can tell you that we used DS and it was successful for us.

Thanks and congrats! I am more confused than ever! It seems so common for women on these threads to have several failed DIUIs and a BFP their first round of IVF. Today I had come to the conclusion that I was going to try a natural IUI with DS since its so "cheap" but if the the prospects are so low...??? I also just found out that about 50% of all domestic adoptions are "failed" in which the birth parent decides to parent. Oh gosh, I don't know what to do.

[ivfinmd]

That's funny that you are at Shady Grove as well!Very interesting, thanks for the info. At this point, it's our last try with IVF before turning to adoption, so we're willing to try anything. I'm also trying accupuncture and my accupuncturist is treating my husband, because she also said that the sperm quality can effect the quality of the embryo and pregnancy. I haven't actually read any research, though, so I am definitely start looking into that as well.

[shannobananno]

Originally Posted by ivfinmd

That's funny that you are at Shady Grove as well!Very interesting, thanks for the info. At this point, it's our last try with IVF before turning to adoption, so we're willing to try anything. I'm also trying accupuncture and my accupuncturist is treating my husband, because she also said that the sperm quality can effect the quality of the embryo and pregnancy. I haven't actually read any research, though, so I am definitely start looking into that as well.

I'm halfway done with my homestudy for adoption. Actually, I have my home inspection tommorow and they are thorough. I had to baby-proof my house. It was exciting to be able to go to the baby aisle of Target:-) I am just still so torn. As I said in my other post, I have an idea as to what it would be like for me doing IVF with donor sperm because for my last cycle, I donated half of my eggs to another couple who did get a BFP. However, she only had one good quality 8-cell grade B (and a few 6-cell). Better than what I got with DH's sperm but still I would feel better about a couple of 8-cell grade As to gamble with. If you look at the success thread, almost BFPs were from women who trasnferred two 8-cell grade A's. Oh, I just don't know and I'm rambling. Sorry. When is your next IVF?

[ivfinmd]

Originally Posted by shannobananno

I'm halfway done with my homestudy for adoption. Actually, I have my home inspection tommorow and they are thorough. I had to baby-proof my house. It was exciting to be able to go to the baby aisle of Target:-) I am just still so torn. As I said in my other post, I have an idea as to what it would be like for me doing IVF with donor sperm because for my last cycle, I donated half of my eggs to another couple who did get a BFP. However, she only had one good quality 8-cell grade B (and a few 6-cell). Better than what I got with DH's sperm but still I would feel better about a couple of 8-cell grade As to gamble with. If you look at the success thread, almost BFPs were from women who trasnferred two 8-cell grade A's. Oh, I just don't know and I'm rambling. Sorry. When is your next IVF?

I admire you for moving forward with adoption! And it is always fun to hit the baby aisle, I agree. We plan to buy a house in the spring, so we wouldn't even consider starting the adoption process until after that, as we would want to get the house all ready for home studies, etc. Also, we're hoping our last try will work! Don't get so hung up on quality - yes, it helps, but there are plenty of ladies out there that have had successful pregnancies with low quality embabies. Actually a girl in my Oct IVF group is pregnant with twins from C quality embryos with fragmentation.

We'll be trying again in January/February. Obviously, we have a lot to think about and Nov/Dec is my busy time with my business. I feel very fortunate that my husband is so open minded. I feel a lot more optimistic about this next round, knowing that we really are doing everything we can. When will you be doing your next round? I'm so curious to see how DS effects the quality of your embryos.

[shannobananno]

I just passed my home and fire inspections!! I don't know if I am going to do IVF. I am considering trying 2 "natural" or unmedicated IUIs with DS while we are waiting on the homestudy. I don't know!!! I can recommend a good agency for you in Baltimore; hoever, hopefully you won't need it!

[Kris79]

I just wanted to add my 2 cents on natural IUI's...I did three of them and they were not successful and I feel like I wasted a lot of time and sperm on these cycles. I didn't figure I needed help ovulating since I have no problems there, but we tried Clomid for IUIs #4 and #5 and success on the 2nd Clomid cycle. I think I would have gotten pregnant much sooner if I had started out with Clomid (or some other meds). Just my thoughts, if you're not opposed to using something like Clomid, it might be worth a little extra cost to move things along.

[shannobananno]

Yeah, its a tough decision. Its about $1000 cheaper! The other reason I am contemplating it is because my last IUI with DS was canceled because I had like 6 embies and I was only on 50 mg of Clomid. The 2nd time I did IVF the lowered my meds dosage by 50% but I still had the same # of embies. I just don't want my cycle to get cancelled again (if I decide to do it). I just don't know!

[Kris79]

Originally Posted by shannobananno

Yeah, its a tough decision. Its about $1000 cheaper! The other reason I am contemplating it is because my last IUI with DS was canceled because I had like 6 embies and I was only on 50 mg of Clomid. The 2nd time I did IVF the lowered my meds dosage by 50% but I still had the same # of embies. I just don't want my cycle to get cancelled again (if I decide to do it). I just don't know!

Wow that's a lot of follies on Clomid!! I only had two with Clomid 100mg. I can see why you'd be hesitant to go that route again. Every place is different, as is every patient. My clinic doesn't do much monitoring with Clomid patients...only if you request it. I also didn't do a trigger shot so that was a cost savings. I don't know what the cost of Clomid would be as mine was covered by insurance, but the only out of pocket expense I had was my ovulation predictor kit. I know it can be a totally different story if you are paying for it all out of pocket. I would probably opt for a natural IUI too.

Good luck no matter what you do!!

[shannobananno]

Actually, today I'm feeling good about adoption. I think maybe I'm done with IF treatments. Good luck to you all!!