Is this a totally crazy idea???

I lost my precious Ellen at 41 weeks in Jan. She was naturally concieved. It took us 8 years to concieve but we didn't do anything except temps and cycle tracking and we didn't do that every month....... I am 42 Hubby is 46.
We planned to start a stim cycle IVF this week (when AF arrives)
This month we tried accupuncture and Chinese herbs.
AF is due tomorrow.......I have not done a preg test......... :crossfingers:
Is it totally crazy to have another try with accupuncture and herbs rather than stress out with IVF?????
Before we had Ellen we always said IVF was not for us, but now we know how wonderful it is to be parents we really want an earthside baby.
The FS (Sydney IVF) told us she really wanted us to start before the end of the year. By starting this week we can possibly fit two cycles in before the end of 2010. This will mean we can afford two cycles.
IVF gives us about a 15-20% chance of success...............
Help me decide...........:dunno:

Kate I think you need to do whatever it takes to feel like you are following your dream of having an earthbound baby.... if that is acupuncture and herbs, or 2 rounds of IVF or both, then go for it.... lots of love and gentle :hug: for you

I am so sorry for the loss of little Ellen hun :hug: Could you maybe try the acupuncture with the IVF cycle, get the best of both worlds? We did IVF for 5 years with no success and then along came our mircale naturally, we were given a 1% cahance of conceiving naturally and an over 90% chance through IVF according to our specialist (obviously not in 1 cycle). So maybe your little one just needs a little push with herbs or something. Big :hug: I hope your earthside bubba is not far away. Sorry, thats probably no help but I guess I just wanted to let you know that sometimes the 'unconventional' thing works.

I guess the thing that frustrates me is there is no known reason for us not to get pg except now, our age. We have "unexplained infertility"
I am wondering if we are "wasting" a month by going with Herbs and Accupuncture instead of IVF. I plan accupuncture with IVF anyway if we do go ahead....
I have a "feeling" we'll get pg naturally with just a bit of help but perhaps this is wishful thinking and I should bite the bullet and get on with IVF.
As side note I have a HUGE fear of needles and due to extremely bad experiences I have a huge distrust of the traditional medical profession..........
I am wondering if my feelings leaning towards another "more natural" month are more about my personal issues than about the reality of the need to try IVF.....
Thanks for your comments. More help gratefully accepted. Only one or two days until I need to decide......

I believe you need to do whatever you both feel is the best for you physically and mentally as we all know it can be a tough journey! I wish you all the best which ever way you go and perhaps you will wake up on decision day (tomorrow or the next day) totally committed to your next step which ever one it is! xxx