Some questions about assisted conception

[blessedatlast]

I have some questions regarding assisted conception.

1. How long did you TTC before getting a referral or advice?
2. How old are you/were you when you started getting help.
3. Why do you need help?

The reason I want to ask these questions is because I have always had trouble falling pregnant. I went to the doc at 24 and they basically laughed at me because "I was so young, and had plenty of time" Finally at the age of 27 I was taken seriously but sure enough, just 2 months before my appointment with the fertility specialist I found out I was pregnant with TWINS!! The problem is now is that I don't want to wait another 3yrs to concieve again, but since it's obvious I CAN fall pregnant I think once again I wont be taken seriously.. I am terrified of getting to 40 and still having issues so I would rather get sorted now IYKWIM?? I hope this all makes sense. Thanks in advance for your replies, I realise they are quite personal questions..

[Nicole S]

Firstly, I just wanted to say how sorry I am for your two baby boy angels
BIG Cyber

A bit of a timeline for our TTC Journey
Feb 05 Started trying
Early 06 Gyno Visit
Nov 06 UTD naturally grew wings at 4 weeks
Feb and Mar 08 x2 rounds of IUI = BFN
June 08 IVF #1 =BFN
Aug 08 IVF #2 = BFP

So three years TTC Naturally then 6 months AC.
I would have been 27 when we started TTC and 30 when I got PG with our little man.

As for why we needed AC to this day after all the tests we did we were told that we just had unexplained infertility?!?!?!
If I had my time over again, the only thing I would change is to have tried AC earlier as my DH will turn 40 next year and does not want to do IVF again.

Best of luck in your journey with whatever path you decide to go on we are all here to support you

[blessedatlast]

Thanks Nicole.. But what is IUI?? I am not up on all the terms Also congrats on your BFP

Adding: Disregard, I just found the sticky on abbreviations etc

[farmgirl77]

Hello,
on the sad loss of your beautiful twins.

1. DH and I had been TTC for about 8 months when I went to the GP to seek help. I know that it is early, but I had been charting my cycle and following natural fertility principles, using ovulation prediction kits etc so was confident that we should have fallen pg during that time. What the charting showed was that I had a bit of an irregular cycle, so it was thought that this might have been our prob. I went to see the gyno about 9 months after we started TTC.

2. We started trying on my 29th birthday, and was 3 months short of my 30th birthday when we found out we needed IVF. My DH is 1 1/2 yrs older than me so we were not over the hill!

3. We initally needed IVF due to male factor infertility, so did IVF with ICSI. However after a few transfers I was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition which was preventing embryos from implanting. I required further treatment for that condition in conjunction with the IVF.

I think that if you have doubts try and find a GP and then specialist who will listen to them and take you seriously. With any luck you will not need to go down the path of IVF, but it is good to know your options and have some timeframes in mind so that if you dont fall pg by a time you are comfortable with, you know that there are some other things that you could try.

I really hope that you dont need to go down this path.
Best of luck.
FG

[mgm]

I'm so sorry for your loss. As you have a history of having difficulty conceiving, I can't imagine you'll have too much trouble finding a FS who will take your concerns seriously. This is my history:

always had irregular cycle and anticipated difficulties conceiving.
to my surprise, conceived DS after about 6 months of trying (I was 33).
TTC a second time for about 20 months with no success.
Saw a FS who prescribed very low dose of clomid as a starting point. However, i conceived before I even filled the prescription! This one ended in miscarriage. Despite the natural conception FS thought I should proceed with clomid, which I did, and conceived again 3 months later (at the age of 37).

our problems were unspecified, and obviously I'm older and that reduces the chances, but DH did have a lowish sperm count. I suspect his giving up drinking may have contributed enormously to our conceiving, but of course I'll never know. Oh, and I also charted my cycle obsessively!! Anyway I'm telling you this story to make the point that sometimes fertility problems can be solved in non-invasive, simple ways. I hope this will be the case for you.

[Mildez]

I too am sorry that your beautiful boys are in heaven.
I am yet to have assisted conception but have been in the process.
My story. I started ttc in Au/Sep 08 (16months now) after two m/c in June I went to see a Gyno for recurrent m/c. He told me to come back in a year.
In July another BFP which ended in an ectopic pregnancy. I was then diagnosed with PID, endo, adhesions and now have one tube. DH also has a lowish sperm mobility and morphology but I have still been pregnant 4 times to my DH. Weather the sperm abnormalities contributed to my m/c's (not ectopic) I will never know.
I have had tests (lap and dye, BT etc) all show I should be able to concieve naturally. However my Gyno told me he will refer me to have IVF as soon as I want. He suggested ttc for another 6months but not leave it another year before heading down that track. I did tell him we were definately open to IVF/ICSI so he wasn't trying to push it on us as we did say when asked we would definately give it a go if needed and we didn't want to wait too long. IUI is not an option for us as my tube (only have one now) is abit damaged. So in 16months this is whats happened and what we know about our fertility. Another 6months we will be starting IVF if no BFP before hand. Clomid for me has never been discussed as I do ovulate every month.
I am 26 almost 27 and my DH is 28. We do have one DD together and I have another DD from a first relationship.
I definately think going on your history a FS would or should be more then willing to help you get a BFP quicker and see why its taking some time. Best of luck. Maybe you just need to make the appointment and you will get another BFP before the appointment like last time.