Decision to Skip Beta Bloodwork? (And a bunch of other questions!)

So beta is scheduled for Wednesday AM and I feel AF coming. I've taken multiple pregnancy tests -- all BFN. What is your thought process in terms of skipping beta? Its obvious if you get your period, but if you take a BFN that morning, do you skip? If you skip, do you have to call and cancel? Or just no show? I go to LIIVF in Melville. Also, I'm on Endometrin suppositories -- do I just stop taking them? So many questions! The bigger question is -- how many IUI's are you willing to go through before you decide to try IVF? (Assuming your insurance doesn't require a minimum # of IUI's prior to authorizing IVF)

Re: Decision to Skip Beta Bloodwork? (And a bunch of other questions!)

I personally would not stop Endometrin without a beta unless AF shows. You never know. Good luck!

Decision to Skip Beta Bloodwork? (And a bunch of other questions!)

AF may not show while you are on Endometrin. So, I wouldn't skip BETA. Iknow how disappointing it is, but I always went for peace of mind. I would do between 3-5 IUIs, but it would depend on the issues causing the IF

Re: Decision to Skip Beta Bloodwork? (And a bunch of other questions!)

Agree with the other posters. If you're on progesterone, you may not get AF. So I wouldn't skip the blood work until you have confirmed that you're not pg.

As for how many IUIs before moving to IVF...it depends. What is your diagnosis?

In general, I would probably try 3 of the same "thing" before trying something new. So for example - try 3 IUIs with Clomid. Then 3 IUIs with injectables. Then confisider IVF. Unless you have a dx that really points to IUIs not working (ie: severe MFI).

Decision to Skip Beta Bloodwork? (And a bunch of other questions!)

I used the three theory too
3 clomid
3 clomid iui
3 injectable iui
And I did one more iui bc two had taken but not lasted.

Decision to Skip Beta Bloodwork? (And a bunch of other questions!)

in the 3 rule as well
tho didn't do injectable IUI as I saw no point with DH's count on the lower side while I was responding great to clomid

as for beta. I would go as sucky as that is. if u weren't on those meds I wouldn't, but as u are def go just to have ur answers regarding how to get off/continue the meds

Decision to Skip Beta Bloodwork? (And a bunch of other questions!)

Thanks so much ladies for your input -- I really appreciate it! This month and last month were my first IUIs -- natural cycles -- I ovulate on my own. DH has low sperm count. I think I will do 1-2 more natural cycles, as DH's sperm count is improving slightly (he's on Clomid). Even though I ovulate on my own, would it make sense for me to talk to my doctor about doing a clomid/injectable cycle? I always assumed that these were only for women who didn't ovulate on their own.

Message edited 4/28/2014 3:23:13 PM.

Re: Decision to Skip Beta Bloodwork? (And a bunch of other questions!)

I wouldnt skip a beta unless i had AF.

Clomid will not only help those who dont ovulate on their own, but it will also help you release more than one egg, so there are more "targets" for teh sperm to hit, therefore increasing your chances for a BFP.

Re: Decision to Skip Beta Bloodwork? (And a bunch of other questions!)

With low count, I'm surprised your RE didn't offer you a medicated cycle. It would potentially give you more targets, increasing your chances for a BFP. I O on my own but only ever did medicated cycles.

Re: Decision to Skip Beta Bloodwork? (And a bunch of other questions!)

i'm sorry you have gotten BFNs so far.... I personally skipped MANY betas (but, I was not on endometrin)... I always knew when I was getting AF and couldn't bring myself to go to the office... so I would call and cancel. One time AF was then three days late so I called to make an appointment and then AF decided to come...

If you are on the suppositories, AF may come later then usually and that would probably drive me crazy because I would sit there thinking what if the HPTs were just wrong and now I stopped the progesterone.... Ultimately, its your choice...

As for the IUIs...I did 6 before switching to IVF... Our decision was mainly based on cost because the IUIs were covered and IVF was not...so it was a tough call, but now I wish I had done it sooner. I just became so tired of getting hopeful with the IUIs only to be disappointed. We are unexplained and have a DS (without any issue) so I wanted as close to a guarantee as possible...I wanted to eliminate the question of whether or not the egg would fertilize and jump right to having implantation be our only concern so IVF it was....

If you are covered with insurance, I would say move to IVF...it seems really scary, but honestly it was not that bad and I wish I made the move sooner!!

GOOD LUCK!!

Re: Decision to Skip Beta Bloodwork? (And a bunch of other questions!)

on my third round of IUI, I kept getting BFN. I didn't go for my beta.