Has anyone gone through multiple IVF cycles?

lmbarrettlmbarrett Posts: 3
in Single Mothers by Choice
Hello all,

This is my first time posting here and I'm just wondering if anyone out there has gone through multiple IVF cycles (I'm sure there are lots of you) and how did/do you get through it. I've gone through 6 IUI cycles and 2 IVF. Just started the 3rd IVF cycle. At this point, I no longer feel like a human being, just a robot whose entire life has been medicalized.

I also just turned 43 this month. Despite my age and all that can mean for becoming pregnant, I actually respond exceptionally well to the meds. This last cycle, one of my nurses told me that I have the ovaries of a 22 year old (I get the weirdest compliments in this whole TTC process). In my first cycle, they retrieved 12 eggs, 11 were mature & had ICSI, 7 fertilized, and 5 were available for transfer on day 3. In my second cycle, they retrieved 21 eggs (that was shocking!), 20 had ICSI, 16 fertilized, and still only 5 were available for transfer on day 3. So although I respond so well to meds, it just hasn't resulted in pregnancy yet.

This is the most emotionally challenging thing I've ever done in my life. In some ways, it's also the most physically challenging...needles completely freak me out and I verge on tears every time I have to inject myself (twice a day for 10 - 12 days). I just keep picturing me holding a baby at the end of all of this.

I apologize if this sounds like a pity party. I don't mean for it to. There just isn't anyone in my family or friends who truly understands the toll this all takes. I feel like I'm just fooling myself in thinking that it might work. I guess that ultimately I'm looking for some hope here. Any stories of going through IVF several times and having success?

Thanks for "listening" and for anything you can offer.

Comments

  • mrswoolfmrswoolf Posts: 10
    Hi Imbarrett,

    I hope this finds you well, I know this can be a real tough road to travel. I'm doing a double donor cycle, or donor embryo cycle, our clinic uses CA Cryo, so that's why I'm here. California Conceptions might be something you'd be interested in if you're closing the book on your own eggs. I'm 35 and don't respond well to meds at all, so that's why I'm using a double donor cycle which is affordable in comparison to using an egg donor.

    I'm just throwing that out there, I stumbled upon your post and thought I'd chime in:)
  • BanditBandit Posts: 348
    llbarrett

    I am 43 just had my first child but I only had to do it once with IUI, I was just a fertile myrtle. So you know I have a friend who is 47 and just had her second set of twins. It is doable by all. She did IVF and her twins came early but they are going home from the NICU this week. It is a tough road to travel. You should wine, you are entitled to do that, you are on a lot of hormones and they do a lot to you. Keep your spirts up, try a glass of wine to relax or even acupuncture. I did acupuncture and love it. Good luck, wine all you want.
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