[CMM&CDMX2]

We've been ttc our second child for 2 years and have been in fertility treatment for 6 months. RE wants us to start IVF, but I am reluctant b/c of all the heavy duty drugs involved. I just read about natural cycle IVF and I think I might want to give that a try before doing an IVF cycle with drugs. Has anyone else heard anything about the natural cycle IVF? I've read various articles on the success rate, which is not as good as ovarian stimulation IVF, but I think it might be worth it.

Thanks for any info!
-Charlene

[kobl]

What is natural cycle IVF? We have been trying for about 18 months for #2 and have been in treatment for a few months. Currently doing Clomid but will move on to Follistim (an injectable) next cycle if the Clomid doesn't work. We will be on a fairly low dose of Follistim (compared with someone doing IVF) combined with u/s to reduce the risk of high multiples since it will be a regular intercourse cycle.

It seems like there are so many different treatment options, it's hard to know which one to go with and for how long.

Kelly

[CMM&CDMX2]

Natural cycle IVF is basically IVF with no drugs. Your cycle is monitored and usually just one egg is retrieved, fertilized and transferred back in the uterus. The success rate is obviously lower, but I like the idea of not taking all the drugs associated with normal IVF. I've already done 4 rounds of injectables (Bravelle) and IUI with no pregnancy, so IVF would definitely be the next step for us.

-Charlene

[jf5505]

B/c it is so expensive I am curious why your Dr. would recommend doing this. I would think you would want as many eggs as possible to make your chances greater. From what I hear, most said that the drugs for IVF were better on them then Clomid, if that helps at all.

[jagjah1030]

Hi,
Before you consider this, I'd recommend researching what your insurance will pay for. The state I live in (Illinois) mandates that insurance companies only pay for 4 egg retrievals (and that's only if your insurance company does not have a Catholic affiliation). I would be afraid to use one of those chances on retreiving just 1 egg. I have gone through 1 IVF cycle, which failed, but they retreived 27 eggs. I now have 11 embryos frozen. Hopefully one of them will take hold during my next transfer!

[jf5505]

27 and 11, wow, is that normal? That is really great for you b/c now you can save some money, if I understand IVF correctly, it is only about 1500 if you don't have to do ER. I have my 1st appt. in July, so all of this is really helpful.

[hopefulx2]

The transfer is a lot more than $1500 at my RE office, it's $3800 plus the cost of meds like PIO which could easily run almost 5K. I have 18 frozen embryos from my donor cycle. But like you said it's a lot cheaper and a lot less stressful than a full cycle.

[jagjah1030]

Hi- no 27 eggs is NOT normal. My RE said most women have 10 eggs, and then around 5 or 6 embryos. Quite honestly, the egg retrieval was VERY painful. I was out of comission for 3 days- and I'm not one to lay around in bed (it drives me CRAZY)!