I'm really sorry to hear about everything you are going through. You are a tough cookie!
You mentioned some 'look outside the box' suggestions, so I thought I would mention 2 natural fertility experts that I know of working in Perth. They are loaded with info and advice that you are most likely not ever going to hear from your GP or IVF specialist (no offence to them- the things I'm referring to are just not their forte).
One specialist is Natalie Pickering, of Perth Natural Medical Clinic in Mt Lawley, the other is Jane Lamprell-Jarrett, who works at both Pivet Medical Centre and Synergy Clinic in Leederville.
They conduct intensive 3 month pre-conceptual care programs (sperm takes 3 months to fully mature) which incorporate intensive diet control and supplementation tailored to each partners individual constitution, as well as rigorous detoxification. They are also able to conduct blood, saliva, and hair analysis tests to ascertain any hormonal imbalances, heavy-metal and pesticide toxicity, as well as many other common barriers to conception.
Friends of mine fell pregnant after following Natalie's pre-conceptual care program- although they had been trying for 2.5 years to fall pregnant naturally prior to this and were ready to board the IVF train.
I wish you both all the very best in your journey to becoming parents. I will say a little prayer for you, your DH's sperm and your eggs!! Remember, miracles DO happen every day........ I believe your time will come.
Bec on the surrogacy front - most of the laws in Australia are focusing on gestational surrogacy rather than traditional surrogacy. To do gestational surrogacy you would still have to under go IVF and risk OHSS. Also normally there are ethical boards you would need to sit before and normally they have conditions attached to them like GS to be used at risk of maternal life/health, or uterine issues. Occasionally they will consider repeat failed IVF however this is often when someone has done 12 transfers or more.
Currently in WA it takes over a year (maybe 2 from what friends tell me) just to get to the basic level of information classes for adoption, my advice is to put your name down now and continue with IVF until then at the very least.
I advise you to have a lap done as it can show up issues not seen at egg collection - this can assist with things like placement of embryos when transferred, etc. EPU is not the same as a lap.
Has your DH had SCSA or a tunnel assay for DNA breakage in his sperm?
M7Missy - Thanks for the info on surrogacy. I think Ive pretty much decided that it is out for us, I dont believe that I could cope with another woman growing my baby inside of her, its too big an emotional trigger for me. That being said who knows about the future.
DH hasnt had SCSA or a tunnel assay, his issue has been very low sperm motility for which they have told us there isnt much they can do. He is on Menevit tablets to see if they make a difference but so far they haven't done anything.
Jellybean - That sounds really interesting, Synergy Clinic is near my work, so I might pop past and find out some more information.
Well we ended up with a BFP from this FET cycle but unfortunately the beta levels were low from the beginning and we lost it at 5.5wks. But it really has given us renewed hope that we know we can at least get pregnant. Up until that point I honestly didn't think we could and was feeling terribly hopeless. Unfortunately for us finances will probably pose our biggest problem in going forward with treatment, but I think we will continue on with a FET and then probably another stim cycle later in the year.
BW - I am definitely going to be requesting some additional testing to be done, and if our finances allow it, I might even get a lap done - will speak to the FS about it at least.
Thank you all so much for your advice and encouragement, it has really helped me out.
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