How long before moving on to IVF?

How long did you try other methods (Clomid, IUI, anything else) before moving on to IVF? Was there a reason why you held off?

I'm worried about the medications so that makes me hesitant, but since we are lucky enough to have insurance that covers it, I don't want to waste too much time, either. I know we will probably figure out a plan of action when we meet with the RE, but I just want to prepare myself as much as possible.

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

IMO, it's really up to the RE but if you feel it is possible to happen without IVF than keep trying. We, personally had no other option. But in my case it was cut and dry and somewhat easy to decide.

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

I did 3 Clomid/IUI cycles with the RE (I had done 3 with my OBGYN prior to moving to the RE. The RE only wanted to do 2 rounds of IUI since we found out at that time we had MF issues as well. But since they don't do IVF in December, I didn't want to waste a month so we did the 3rd round.

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

I did two rounds of clomid (50 and 100) with no success, one round of gonal-f with IUI (negative), and went straight to IVF. My DH and I decided we wanted to get more aggressive and my RE was supportive.

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

I've done 4 IUIs (2 natural, 2 medicated). The nurse practicioner brought up IVF since DHs numbers are a bit low.

I'm a little nervous about the meds and injections too, but if we're dealing with MF, then it's the best way to go.

Good luck!!!

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

My insurance will pay for IVF, but requires that I have 6 IUIs first.

My RE said that they would like to move onto IVF after 4 failed IUI cycles. I'll probably have to do 6 to avoid shelling out the $$$.

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

we did three months of IUIs w/Clomid and then moved to IVF due to my age....getting aggressive...dont want to waste anymore time.

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

We did two months of clomid/IUI. Did the first just because it was my first month with my RE and we were still running tests. Knew we needed to move onto IVF as I have a blocked tube & a fibroid plus I was 37. Did another round of clomid/IUI as I waited for my cycle to line up with my RE's practice.

I am a pretty aggressive person when it comes to getting things done. If IVF was what I needed to do - why waste time with other treatments?

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

I did about 6 IUIs before moving on to IVF.

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

Let me preface this by saying it really depends on what kind of IF you are dealing with. Some couples with severe MF, tubal issues, etc. will go straight to IVF. In my case, DH and I are unexplained IF. I did 5 IUI cycles (1 natural, 2 with Clomid, 2 with Follistim injections). After my second chemical pregnancy, I knew I was ready for IVF. I needed to get more aggressive and increase my chances.

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

It's a very personal decision and really depends much on what your issues are.

I have been off the pill since January 07 - we never thought we would have a problem conceiving because we conceived my DD first try (ok, second, I miscarried but then conceived a week later). But time was passing, so by October I consulted with an RE.

My diagnosis was hypothryoidism, which has now been allayed by synthroid, hostile cervical mucous, and likely endometriosis, though probably not severe.

Based on the above, we assumed we would have no issue conceiving with IUI. Well, we did 3 rounds of unmedicated IUI's and nada. Then another 3 rounds of medicated IUI's with at least 3-4 eggs each round, and nada.

Enough is enough- I'm done torturing myself and shelling approximately $1k per medicated cycle and would rather just stop and put that money towards something that has a higher success rate. So we are moving forward with IVF this fall.

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

We did 1 natural IUI and 2 clomid IUI cycles. Our doctor would have liked to see us do one more Clomid IUI cycle but I wanted to do IVF in the summer b/c my schedule at work is much lighter.

Re: How long before moving on to IVF?

We did rounds 3 clomid/iui. They wanted me to do a 4th and I had read that clomid is really bad for the uterine lining (I have a uterine problem to boot) and didn't want to do a 4th. The RE would not talk to me about it so I left. Plus they didn't have good stats for IVF for my age bracket if it came to that. New RE had me do 2 IUI's with injects. Though we ended up doing a 3rd while working on the IVF b/w etc...