Confusion regarding possible IVF

[satya]

Why oh why do you think of questions after you leave the doctors surgery but can think of nothing while you are sitting there trying to digest the info they've just thrown at you.

I just got back from my first appointment with an OB/GYN who has an interest in infertility. I have no idea if he is a FS but with what he is recommending I imagine he must be. He knows my old FS (from 10 years ago) on a first name basis so he's obviously involved with Monash in some way, but of course I didn't ask.

I had an early m/c in March of this year. I took my two lots of blood tests (one follicular stage, 1 luteal stage) and ultrasound (done to check for PCOS which I don't have) that I've had done since the m/c. I'm 41 I have no children of my own. This was my second m/c the other one being a decade ago with another partner. My GP thought my estrogen was too high in both tests and that my progesterone was not as high as it should have been. The doctor I saw today disagreed and said my hormones look fine.

He has put me immediately on a waiting list for a lap and hysteroscopy to check out the possible fibroid that showed on the u/s. If there's one there they will get rid of it. He says this could have been the cause of the m/c and that if I fall pg again naturally that there's a good chance I will m/c again if it is indeed a fibroid.

He then said I should then follow it up straight away with IVF.

I know I'm ovulating regularly, I know it is possible for me to get pregnant so why would he be suggesting IVF? I'm thinking it's maybe because of my age.

He doesn't want to see me again until I've been for the procedures so I can't ask on my next appointment.

I don't have private health cover so I guess that means I go in to a waiting list for IVF too? Does anyone know how long they are? I'm thinking they are quite long, but I really have no clue about that side of things. We don't have a lot of spare money after paying our mortgage so the whole cost of IVF is freaking me out to.

Anything that anyone has to say about this subject would help my muddled mind right now so feel free to comment.

[anney]

Hi Satya,
Yes, they would be suggesting IVF because of your age. And because after doing all the preliminary blood tests, ultrasounds and lap and d&c, the actual process of IVF can help clarify whether you have any other issues going on and also it sets up the best environment for pregnancy ie. they can put the "best" embryos back in and you get progesterone support to make sure the environment is right in the TWW.
We TTC'd naturally for 3 years between the ages of 41 and 44 and we already had one child so in theory my only problem was age. I did IVF at 44 and got pg. on the first cycle. (but miscarried, but at 44 my chances of miscarriage are over 40%).
So I would go for the IVF, if I were you and I would be ringing around to make an appointment as the first appointments are often about a 10 week wait.
On the public / private thing. The IVF treatment cycles are not covered by private health insurance. Only your egg pick up, as it is done in hospital is covered by PHI. I think the royal womens is where you go to get the egg pick up done for free. I am not sure how much you have to pay for the treatment cycle.
Monash prices are reasonable and you would probably end up about $2500 out of pocket including the egg pick up and treatment cycle if you went through them. the money thing is confusing so ask me for clarification if you want. hopefully someone who has gone public through royal womans may be able to help
good luck

[Chez67]

Hi Satya

I am 39 and have just started my first IVF/ICSI cycle. I am with Melbourne IVF and was recently given the choice between public with RWH or private with Freemasons for my EPU. As we have private insurance we opted for Freemasons but from memory there was about a $500 difference between the two prices - about $730 for the day procedure covered by PHI in Freemasons or $230-ish for RWH. We didn't look into the public side of things too much but if you call the MIVF Accounts people they will give you a list of costs over the phone or by post I believe.

Good luck with your journey - I hope it is short for you.

Cheryl

[satya]

Thanks for all the info Anney & Chez67. I've already racked up 9.5 years TTC in total without success (8.5 years last time around) so I doubt my TTC journey will be a quick one, but I guess it's one of those things you just never know.

[Lenny]

I am with Melbourne IVF and was recently given the choice between public with RWH or private with Freemasons for my EPU. As we have private insurance we opted for Freemasons but from memory there was about a $500 difference between the two prices - about $730 for the day procedure covered by PHI in Freemasons or $230-ish for RWH.

Some FS's will work out of either for you. Mine has seen me at Freemasons and Royal Womens although they couldn't definitely promise me Royal Womens, they said they would try their best (and i got it). Cheryl is right the diff is $500. Pretty obvious choice!

[satya]

Thanks ladies. Does anyone know what the waiting lists are like to even get into IVF treatment? Silly me, I forgot to ask the doctor..... I think after he said IVF my brain just went elsewhere.

[Lissie]

Satya,
I too agree its an age thing - i know cause im there too. There isn't to much difference financially public to private so just ring around i'm doing mine with Sydney Ivf however it is there satelite team that visit Coffs Harbour. I too have no children of my own and figure the best way to go is ivf as our chances are actually higher than naturally however i did not have the choice of natural. I have done my own eggs , i have done donor eggs, and now i am doing my eggs again with donor sperm, so basically now we are trying whatever works. I wish you so much luck Satya and i do hope its not a long TTC with ivf.
Sending you some

[Lissie]

Hi Satya,
I think it just depends on what clinic you go to, Sydney IVF will pretty much get you in asap, so i would just make some enquires at clinics. Good luck hun.

[Lenny]

There is no waiting list for MIVF and i doubt there would be one for Monash IVF. You just have to get an appt with an FS and then fit into their schedule.

[Chez67]

Hi Satya

I agree with Jo - our biggest wait was getting in to see the FS, which was about 3 months, although we were referred from an andrologist. I guess we could have rung around for an earlier appointment but we were still finishing off tests with the andrologist so we really didn't end up waiting too much, with the final results having to be faxed to our first FS appointment anyway. I only had to wait for AF to arrive - which ended up being about 4 days early (unusual for me) - to begin our first cycle. Good luck with your first appointment!

Cheryl