Looking for older single mothers by choice going through IVF

chumina12chumina12 Posts: 12
in Single Mothers by Choice
Hello, I'm 43 in the process of going through the IVF process, currently on Lupron injections; possible embryo transfer is set for early May.

This is my first attempt

I froze my eggs 4 years ago and I am using those. I've chosen my sperm donor and now fingers crossed that this all works. I'm cautiously optimistic to say the least.

Would love to collaborate here in this forum with older single moms by choice..

Anyone else going through the IVF/Embryo transfer process??

Comments

  • chumina12chumina12 Posts: 12
    .. Oh I should mention.. I only have 4 eggs to work with . Praying for the best!
  • dragonflinursedragonflinurse Posts: 116
    Hey Chumina! I am 38, single and also going through IVF. I've had 3 inseminations with no success and then took a break. I just had an SIS today. I will be starting on BCP soon and will start Lupron the first week of June. I'm about a month behind you. That's great that you froze your eggs! How long ago did you do that? Are all your labs good? I wish you the way of luck and hope to keep in touch!

    Baby dust!

    Jennie ??
  • dragonflinursedragonflinurse Posts: 116
    That was a smiley face next to my name....not quite sure why it came out as question marks. :)
  • ah_511ah_511 Posts: 80
    Hello!

    I am almost 38 and will be doing IVF in June after 7 failed IUIs. I am praying it works as I'm not sure I can afford more than one try. I wish you lots of luck. It is scary and exciting. Never thought Id be here but it is much less lonely seeing all of the amazing women going through the same thing! Keep us posted!!

    Amy
  • chumina12chumina12 Posts: 12
    HI Jenny/Amy, Wish you both the best of luck through the process. It seems that you both our on par with the scheduling (June) . I will tell you that I have never done IUI . This is my very first attempt at trying to have a baby.

    Jennie, yes I froze my eggs when I was 39 years old and I only got 4 Oocytes. My numbers were dismal I had an AMH of 0.145. My FSH was like 12.

    I recently ( in doing this process) did my numbers again and they are actually better AMH is 0.87 and FSH is 7 ( <-- but, that's only bc my estrogen is so high so it throws things off balance).

    This process so expensive . MY insurance is not covering the procedure so I am paying out of pocket (ouch!)

    Jennie, not sure what an SIS is or a BCP is ..but, good luck with the process and feel free to reach out to me whenever . I am about a month ahead.

    Amy, Good luck and keep us posted too!! You're brave to do this on your own. 7 failed IUI attempts and your still at it.. You're my hero. I wish you the very BEST of luck!
  • chumina12chumina12 Posts: 12
    ... oh Jenny, I should also mention that I've been on Lupron everyday for about a month now. I go in to check my numbers (blood test) on Friday.

    So, you are doing egg retrieval correct?
  • chumina12chumina12 Posts: 12
    Amy/Jenny, ...also wanted to ask did you guys pick out a donor yet?
  • ah_511ah_511 Posts: 80
    Hi!

    I never thought I would still be at it after 7 failed IUIs. My initial plan was to try for a few months and if it didn't work then it was not meant to be. But then I was so emotionally invested I just wasn't ready to give up. It's been way more emotionally and financially exhausting then I ever imagined but it's all worth it in the end if I have my perfect end result or if I at least know I did all I could. Certainly didn't plan to still be single at 38!
    I wish you so much luck!!

    I have my donor! I had the same donor for 6 cycles and then he sold out. I was crushed to have to start all over but am happy with my new choice too.... 14019 (I think.... I better double check!)
  • mom2b721mom2b721 Posts: 23
    Hello!

    I am 38 and also planning on starting my first IVF cycle mid May. I have gone through 3 failed IUIs and decided it's time to try IVF. I will also be using a new donor as the donor I was previously using has sold out. Plus using a new REI as well! Hopefully it will all result in a BFP! I'd love to keep in touch on this forum as well!
  • chumina12chumina12 Posts: 12
    Hello ah_511 I just looked up your donor what a cutie!!. .loved his bio as well.
    I know what you mean, I don't think any of us of thought we would be in this situation single motherless etc.. but, you are emotionally vested to keep trying. Good for you. June is around the corner. I hope it results in a BFP for you.


    =---MOM2b721, Welcome!!.. good luck with your cycle, hopefully you will get a lot of eggs :) Do you know what your numbers are? AMH? FSH?
  • dragonflinursedragonflinurse Posts: 116
    Hey ladies!! Looks we have a good group of IVF'ers, all within a month or two of each other :)

    Chumina - BCP is birth control pills and SIS is saline infusion sonogram.....what that means not very comfortable at all! Glad it's over...I had a resident so maybe it was her first time. I will be starting meds the first week of June and retrieval and transfer around the middle of the month. My AMH is 0.29, FSH is 7.1, LH is 3.4 and Estradiol is 40. I'm so excited and can't wait to get started!!! My donor is 12874. I bought his last two ICI vials. Which donor are you using?

    Mom2b - We have the exact same story! 38, 3 failed IUIs, changed donors and changed RE!! Your name is familiar...wonder if we were going through our IUIs at the same time. Were they recent? Regardless....welcome!!

    Amy - what's up girlie!! You are most definitely my cycle buddy since we are on the exact same time line :) It's hard to be patient, isn't it? So your HSG was ok? Not too bad? I had some bleeding after mine. :(

    Where do you all live?? What do you all do for a living? Amy I know you are a teacher in Ohio :)

    Baby dust!!

    Jennie :)
  • chumina12chumina12 Posts: 12
    Hi Jenni: I live in Miami, work in Tech sales. I just finished my birth control still on the lupron shots. Going in for my blood test tomorrow. My email is: katiebr58@gmail.com if you want to communicate . Maybe we can even talk on the phone :)
  • ah_511ah_511 Posts: 80
    I know I shouldn't but I get so nervous when I read that others are doing things I am not. My doctor said nothing about birth control. Maybe I'm doing a different protocol?
  • SoGr8fulSoGr8ful Posts: 1
    Hi there!! I'm 39 and will be doing an IVF cycle starting in mid-May. It's my 2nd cycle, but my first with donor sperm. Long story culminating in: "Hi! I'm trying to be a single mother with donor sperm!" LOL oy

    I've never done IUI because when they did all the various testing, my hysterosalpingogram showed both tubes blocked. Not sure I 100% believe that's true, but hey...let's just get this going however seems most likely to work, right?

    I live in NJ (commute to NYC for work).

    Fingers crossed for all of you going before me!

    Erin
  • ComeonbabyComeonbaby Posts: 9
    Hi ladies! I'm 39 and turning 40 next month.. Did IVF after 3 failed iuis. My amh, etc were very low and didn't want to waste anymore time with iui and completed IVF in January. I had 7 eggs retrieved and only two made it to transfer day. Both were implanted and one made it. I'm currently 4 months pregnant. The process was overwhelming, very expensive and an emotional roller coaster. In the end it was all worth it. Please feel free to ask me any questions you have. Good luck ladies! Hoping you all have your baby dreams fulfilled.
  • mom2b721mom2b721 Posts: 23
    Hi again!

    Jennie, your name is familiar as well! I think we did go through IUIs around the same time too! Glad we can support each other this time around as well and hopefully this will be the successful time for both of us! Keep me posted on your progress and I'll do the same! Good luck to everyone else as well and I look forward to traveling this journey with you all.
  • dragonflinursedragonflinurse Posts: 116
    Hey everyone! Hope all is well!

    Erin - welcome! It's awesome that there seem to be so many of us very close with our cycles. Mine will be in June. First cycle for me, but did 3 IUIs in the past. Do you mind me asking what happened with your first cycle? Did you transfer 3 day or 5 days? Which donor did you end up choosing? Hope you don't mind all the questions! :)

    Comeonbaby - Congrats!!! So exciting! That's awesome that your first cycle worked! I'm trying to decide right now if I should gamble with one cycle or do this promotion with my fertility clinic called IVF Succeed which is 4 cycles within 2 years for $6k more than what I'm already going to spend. I wouldn't get the money back if I didn't need/want another cycle. Also, if for some reason first cycle doesn't work, I would have to pay the same amount as what I'm going to spend. What are your thoughts?

    Mom2b - That's pretty cool that we are back doing the same thing again! My cycle as you can read above will be a little later, but I hope this is finally our time to get our BFPs! Wouldn't this be great to all be pregnant around the same time?? :)

    Hope well keep in touch! Feel free to email me at dragonflinurse@gmail.com

    Baby dust ladies!

    Jennie :)
  • ah_511ah_511 Posts: 80
    Comonbaby that is GREAT news!! And I agree about the emotional roller coaster- more challenging that I ever thought!

    Erin good luck to you! I hoped IUI would work for me but 7 failed and I am moving on to IVF! You just never know where your journey will take you.

    I did find out that my doctor is using the "antagonist" protocol so it makes it seems so real now!

    Jennie- that is a tough decision! With each IVF being around 12,000 you will get 4 for 6 grand more and that is a huge deal! I bet if it works right away you won't worry about the extra money you spent because you will be over the moon happy!
    Good luck with your decision. Keep me posted!

    Baby dust to all!

    Amy
  • gauthhngauthhn Posts: 8
    I am SMC - and I did IVF in summer of 2013 ...fast forward to today...I am playing with my twin girls as I type!!!
    Any SMC who needs information or support can email me at hngauthier@gmail.com ! I have had a wonderful IVF experience and would be happy to help others!
  • singleteachersingleteacher Posts: 1
    Hi all, I'm 44, turning 45 in June - yikes! I tried 2 IUI with no luck. A bit sad that I didn't follow my gut and ask for a bit more aggressive approach. All initial testing looked great. My biggest area of challenge was not ovulating regularly. It's hard to trust an over the counter ovulation kit. The other reality is the cost. It hurts so much to be excluded from insurance just because of age. I did find an amazing group that has helped me so much. Gateway Women. Its an international group, with many states & cities with representation. The groups are made up of women who have not had success with getting pregnant. I found it so cathartic to be among other women of various ages and lifestyles and to be able to share feelings. Now, I"m considering at home insemination - just for the cost factor. I've read up on how many women are finding success this way. Any thoughts?
  • mmaormmaor Posts: 13
    Hi my name is Michelle and I am an older single mom. I am 41, turning 42 this year. I bought 10 vials from one donor and used 2 vials from another donor.

    My 5th vial worked and I now have a beautiful son whom I love more than words can say. I am completely smitten by him and feel so blessed every day that I get to be his mom.

    I tried for a second child and used 6 vials for IUI and none of them worked. I saved one vial from my son's donor just in case I would need to do IVF.

    I am now going through IVF since the last 6 tries did not work and I so much want a second child.

    I am going to Oregon Reporoductive Medicine in Portland Oregon. I am waiting to get my period, which should come any day to start birth control pills which will begin my IVF cycle.

    Everyone whom I have told about my journey has been so supportive and happy for me. I have not experienced any judgement. I never thought that this would be my path, but I am happier than ever!

    I would love to connect with other single moms by choice :)
  • dragonflinursedragonflinurse Posts: 116
    Hey ladies!

    Mom2be - How are you? Where are you in your cycle? My IVF was supposed to be next month but mother nature took over and now I am starting in May! I'm super excited! I started BCP last week, Lupron started today and my stim meds start on 5/30. I'm looking at a retrieval around 6/9. It would be great if we were around the same time. I have a couple friends that I have met on this site that are around the same time already. The more the merrier!

    Michelle - Welcome!! Congrats on your little boy! I am so excited to get started and can't wait to be a mama. This is my first IVF cycle. I have had 3 failed IUIs...I'm 38 and single :)

    Teacher - have you had labs done? Does everything look ok? I would just make sure you get everything checked out before spending any money. My insurance doesn't cover fertility so everything I've spent is out of pocket. Yikes! I wish you luck with your journey!

    If any of you would like to email me, my address is dragonflinurse@gmail.com.

    Prayers and baby dust!!

    Jennie :)
  • mom2b721mom2b721 Posts: 23
    Hi all!

    Just wanted to update on my journey. I had to postpone my cycle start day due to finacial issues. I'm aiming for a cycle start in September now. In the meantime, I'm eating gluten free and as healthy as possible, and doing acupuncture in preparation. I love the acupuncture and am feeling great physically and mentally. I'd love to hear where everyone else is at in their journey as well!

    Colleen
Sign In or Register to comment.