Mumof5,

I hope you don't mind me being completely honest here, coz I've been reading everyone's posts and didn't feel like bringing down the mood.

Yes I did have my tubes tied after my third child, but I'd been pg 6 times in total before then. In addition to my three children, I also had had two terminations and 1 miscarriage. I was considered very fertile.

I had my reversal ('a complete success' declared the surgeon) and when nothing had happened in 12 months, we started investigations, including a HSG which showed that my tubes were completely scarred over. I went to see an FS and a fertility clinic and everyone was quietly confident that I'd be pregnant in no time. After all, I'd had children before and never had an issues falling pregnant.

By the time I started IVF, I was 35 and DH was 33. We had a good amount of eggs, over 95% fertilisation and everything seemed on track. But that cycle failed, and so did the following 6 other cycles.

No one could explain why we were not succeeding. We had our notes reviewed by the head scientist of the clinic, who also came back none the wiser. It was just bad luck, they said. IVF is not an exact science. There were no guarantees.

But perhaps it was because I knew that I could get pg that we kept trying, long after many would have given up. It cost us financially and emotionally, but we finally did conceive our miracle IVF baby.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is, no matter what the Drs tell you about your chances, and how they believe you to be the best case scenario, and they're confident etc, please go into IVF treatment with realistic goals, and be prepared for it not to work immediately. Then if it does happen fast, it's such a bonus. But if it doesn't, it won't crush you.