another IVF first timer- over 40 and looking for advice from others in the same boat

Hi,

I am towards the end of my first IVF cycle and this forum kept on coming up whenever I googled one of the million questions I had. So it finally clicked I should join!

I am 41 (soon to be 42) and my partner is 45. He has 3 children from a previous relationship but we have been trying unsuccessfully for 2 years for one of our own.

We are into the 2ww after a blastocyst was transferred 2 days ago. That is the the exciting part. The downside is that out of 8 follicles, 4 fertilized and the one inside me is the only one that made it.

I'm feeling disheartened today - today it seems so much effort for 1 little shot.

Is that a normal ' result' considering my age? If this doesn't work out and we go again can we expect the same or is it more of a lottery?

Would appreciate any advice,

R

Hi Rachel,

Welcome to BB and I hope you get your BFP very soon :pray:. There is a 2WW thread, I think it's under LTTTC.

To answer your question, I had my first IVF cycle in May 2008, and had 11 eggs fertilized, 7 became embryos, and I had one transferred on day 5 or 6 (blastie). This one resulted in pg, but I had a loss (not related to IVF).
After my transfer, I found out that they froze one more blastie, but I'm not sure if it it AA grade. So all up I had 2 blasties from that cycle. When I asked what the average number was for my age, they said 2 or 3.
I will have the frozen bub transferred next month, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Good luck again!!

Beata.

Hi Rachel,

Im 37 and I did 3 full stimulated IVF cycles of which 10 eggs were retrieved and I only got 2 embryos.

However, it only takes ONE and Im now lucky enough to be pg :D

Good luck and lots of :stickyvibesgirl: for your embie.

Tania

Hi Rachel and welcome to BB...

Congrats on completing your first round of IVF - may it be your last!!

Believe me when I tell you I know how much hard work it is physically and mentally.

Unfortunately as we get older, our egg quantity and quality deteriorate as I am sure you've been told. Try not to compare your numbers to other people as everyones numbers vary so greatly. There is 2 ways of looking at your result...yes one can be disappointing (but it only takes one..) and many people at 41 never make it to blastocyst...so I guess you ended up with a great bit and not so great bit..

Here are 2 threads below you might be interested in. One is for 'older women' and the other for Long Term Assisted Conception.

all the best for your TWW - I really hope it works for you...

http://forums.bellybelly.com.au/foru...2009-a-13.html

http://forums.bellybelly.com.au/foru...09-2-a-13.html

Thanks to all who replied - it made me feel better to get some idea of what's 'normal'! Good luck to each of you as well.

R