Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

I have been TTC #2 at RSONY for 7 months. I've had 3-4 failed IUI's, one complete miscarriage, and a chemical pregnancy. They were all Clomid cycles. Now the RE is talking about IVF as the next step and I am scared to death about it. It just seems so overwhelming but maybe that's because it's the unknown for me. Can you please share some of your IVF experiences and recommend your RE as well as I would like to consult with some other RE's before going forward. I've heard amazing things about Dr. Braverman so I know he's one I will make an appt. with. Anyway, thanks for any help. I appreciate it.

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

why would you go straight from clomid to IVF and not do an injectable cycle IUI first?
i LOVE dr. b, so i would HIGHLY recommend him. he is one of my favorite people in the world!

also - have you been tested for immune and clotting issues since you have had more than 1 m/c? dr. b specializes in recurrent m/c so he may be exactly what you are looking for/need.

Message edited 8/3/2010 10:37:45 AM.

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

I think you already know, but I am a patient of RSOFNY and conceved both my DS, DD and #3 on the way with them

My DS we conceived on the 3rd Clomid/IUI cycle in 05'

We tried Clomid/IUI to have #2 and all 7 cycles were a bust....They did not want to do injectables because I might over-respond and I was happy to go ahead with IVF at that point...Never quite sure "whey" it didn't work ( I was a couple years older maybe ? )

The 1st IVF cycle, I did conceive but the pregnancy ended up being a chemical ( with no frosties left)

2nd IVF cycle, we tweaked the meds a little and we had my DD


We had 3 frosties left over....

Just last month we put back one and I am now 6 weeks pregnant again


If you try to keep in mind, that in essence it IS science it makes sense that it can take a lot of trial and error for a pregnancy to occur...I am very happy we finally went w/ IVF and it was not nearly as bad as I ever thought it would be ...I have mentioned before on previous threads that I am actually so in awe of the process and how I actually have a pic of my DD as an embryo Of-course I would never wish anyone to go through this process, but in a strange way- I am glad I did (hard feeling to describe to me , but the whole experience was incredibly amazing)


Good Luck !!!!

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

Posted by Hofstra26

I have been TTC #2 at RSONY for 7 months. I've had 3-4 failed IUI's, one complete miscarriage, and a chemical pregnancy. They were all Clomid cycles. Now the RE is talking about IVF as the next step and I am scared to death about it. It just seems so overwhelming but maybe that's because it's the unknown for me. Can you please share some of your IVF experiences and recommend your RE as well as I would like to consult with some other RE's before going forward. I've heard amazing things about Dr. Braverman so I know he's one I will make an appt. with. Anyway, thanks for any help. I appreciate it.

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

Posted by Hofstra26


They just mentioned discussing other options after this next cycle and IVF came up so we'll see I guess. I didn't get into too much with them at that time. I have not been tested for any immune and clotting issues but I really only had one miscarriage. I miscarried at 9 weeks. The other BFP was just a chemical which is so not the same as what I went through with the miscarriage. Not even close. I ended up just getting my period a day and a half late with the chemical. My BFF mentioned Dr. B does all that testing which would be fine with me. I have one more IUI/Clomid cycle but I guess in the meantime I will meet with some other RE's so that is we need to move to something else in the next month I will be ready. Thanks for the responses.

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

Posted by Shaun'sMommy

Posted by Hofstra26

I have been TTC #2 at RSONY for 7 months. I've had 3-4 failed IUI's, one complete miscarriage, and a chemical pregnancy. They were all Clomid cycles. Now the RE is talking about IVF as the next step and I am scared to death about it. It just seems so overwhelming but maybe that's because it's the unknown for me. Can you please share some of your IVF experiences and recommend your RE as well as I would like to consult with some other RE's before going forward. I've heard amazing things about Dr. Braverman so I know he's one I will make an appt. with. Anyway, thanks for any help. I appreciate it.

You know I'm here. Call me ANYTIME

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

Posted by FlowerWife

Posted by Hofstra26


They just mentioned discussing other options after this next cycle and IVF came up so we'll see I guess. I didn't get into too much with them at that time. I have not been tested for any immune and clotting issues but I really only had one miscarriage. I miscarried at 9 weeks. The other BFP was just a chemical which is so not the same as what I went through with the miscarriage. Not even close. I ended up just getting my period a day and a half late with the chemical. My BFF mentioned Dr. B does all that testing which would be fine with me. I have one more IUI/Clomid cycle but I guess in the meantime I will meet with some other RE's so that is we need to move to something else in the next month I will be ready. Thanks for the responses.

to dr. b a "miscarriage" and a chemical are technically under the same category as recurrent miscarriage regardless of how far along. they may not be the same to a person emotionally, but the fact that the pregnancy terminated and didnt continue does count. i had two chemicals, but he counts them as having had two miscarriages. i was actually downplaying the fact that they were chemicals but he said not to and that a positive beta is pregnant and any dissolution of pregnancy after that is a miscarriage. so to a doctor it shouldnt be downplayed just because emotionally you went through a rougher time with the 9 week miscarriage.

i really think you should see him, if for nothing more than just a consult to see what other options you have. i also really think you should consider an injectable IUI cycle at least once before moving on to IVF. i specifically think you should see dr. b to get tested for immune/blood clotting issues. he is very thorough but he is also very caring and amazing.

good luck with whatever you decide

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

Well I also went from Clomid straight unto IVF. Both my doctor and I agreed that my best bet to get pregnant would be IVF and because of my age at that time (25), he was afraid I would end up as octomom with an IUI also.

I can say from experience that IVF is really not THAT bad... Yes its time consuming, yes you have to get up early for monitoing, yes it can be scary at first injecting yourself for the very first time, but honestly after 2 days of doing it all, you get used to it. I had my first cycle of IVF while i was working full time so it def is possible as long as you find a place with the hours you need. For that reason, I went to LI IVF and saw Dr. Kenisberg. Their hours are great- they open at 630 for blood and monitoring which worked out for me perfectly. You will need to take a few days off for your retrieval and transfer, and the next day if you feel like you need it.

Just remember to take it one day at a time, when you receive the box of your IVF meds you will feel overwhelmed, but remember, the doctor will explain everything to you and if you take it day by day its not overwhelming at all....

As for LI IVF I have nothing but positive experiences there. The staff is is fabulous, the doctors are knowledgable, they have three locations- Lake Success, Melville and Stonybrook, so if you live in Queens like I do, Lake Success was perfect. On holidays and weekends though you have to go to Melville but it really wasn't a big deal!

If you need anything else please let me know!

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

Posted by Athee

Well I also went from Clomid straight unto IVF. Both my doctor and I agreed that my best bet to get pregnant would be IVF and because of my age at that time (25), he was afraid I would end up as octomom with an IUI also.

I can say from experience that IVF is really not THAT bad... Yes its time consuming, yes you have to get up early for monitoing, yes it can be scary at first injecting yourself for the very first time, but honestly after 2 days of doing it all, you get used to it. I had my first cycle of IVF while i was working full time so it def is possible as long as you find a place with the hours you need. For that reason, I went to LI IVF and saw Dr. Kenisberg. Their hours are great- they open at 630 for blood and monitoring which worked out for me perfectly. You will need to take a few days off for your retrieval and transfer, and the next day if you feel like you need it.

Just remember to take it one day at a time, when you receive the box of your IVF meds you will feel overwhelmed, but remember, the doctor will explain everything to you and if you take it day by day its not overwhelming at all....

As for LI IVF I have nothing but positive experiences there. The staff is is fabulous, the doctors are knowledgable, they have three locations- Lake Success, Melville and Stonybrook, so if you live in Queens like I do, Lake Success was perfect. On holidays and weekends though you have to go to Melville but it really wasn't a big deal!

If you need anything else please let me know!

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

I was a patient of Dr Brenner at LIIVF and was very happy with my care there. IVF can be very overwhelming, but if you take it one step at a time, it is definitely manageable. The monitoring will be the same, the shots aren't exactly fun but don't really hurt too much, the actual retrieval was much better than I could have expected, and the tranfser was very similiar to an IUI. Best of luck and I would definitely seek a second opinion - it can never hurt!

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

I think a lot of this is personal....

You already have a child, and have gotten pregnant. This makes your "decision tree" different from others (including mine).

I don't know how many follies you are making on Clomid and how big they are.

My RE's viewpoint is that there are MANY reasons people don't get pregnant & that much of the diagnostic testing is not 100% necessary because the next step would be the same. I liked this viewpoint (RMA).

I did IUIs, did not respond wonderfully to Clomid, did an injection cycle, and went on to IVF. IVF is def. $$ and time consuming. They suppress your immune system no matter which RE you are with during IVF... so a $$$ immune workup may not be that critical if you are going that route. Now that it's over, it wasn't so bad... but I'd make sure you get finances & opinions from whomever you need first.

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

I also went from clomid (with my obgyn) to IVF (with my RE). I go to RS of NY, also and see Dr. San Roman. The first cycle seems to be a blur to me now, which seems crazy because I know at the time it consumed me. Our first IVF cycle was in March 2007. It did not work, but we were able to freeze five embryos from that cycle. I had a FET in July2007 and had my son in March 2008. I headed back to the RE this past winter. In the spring we defrosted two embryos, one did not make it, so the last was defrosted and two were transferred. I had an early miscarriage. We are now in the middle of an IVF cycle. For me, the biggest difference is the length of the process. It is beginning to make me nuts. The anticipation is the hardest part. I've gotten used to the injections and have become a pro.... I only need my DH when it comes time for the IM PIO shots.... otherwise I'm good to go. Overall, I have been very happy with the practice. There are days when I don't love one of the NPs there, but in the end she is very good and helpful so I don't let the lack of smile bother me!

I hope things go well for you!

Re: Please talk to me about your IVF experiences

I only tried IUI once. Then moved straight to IVF. I agree with the others that the anticipation was much worse than the reality. I got pregnant on the first shot of IVF. It definitely increases your odds. Good luck!