Good very early morning everyone,

Unfortunately I was visited by AF yesterday, six days early, so I did not even make to the end of 2ww. I was hoping to beat the odds and have success with my first IUI...

We are now going to go straight to IVF, because of my age (39). So I was wondering, I have not been able to talk to my doctor, but is it really true that the treatments start mid-cycle? How long is a cycle of IVF treatment? I have not done enough research on IVF yet but I know there is a wealth of information here.

I also need opinions - I am likely to be offered a new job this week. It is a great opportunity, but would mean paying COBRA to maintain my current health benefits because my insurance pays for 3 IVFs. What is your opinion on starting a new job while ttc through IVF? I would not consider changing jobs in this time but my current one is so extremely stressful that we feel sure it is contributing to the conception problems (i.e., my boss once told me that there would be big problems if I got pregnant, and this from a woman, no less).

I would truly appreciate any ideas/info/feedback you can share.

Thanks
Gale

Hi there! Well, I just went through my first IVF. So I can share some information. Yes it can start before your period, I think it's aroudn 10 days before. Or it could start on the day of your period, depending on what method they are going to do with you. I did the 10 days before my period. What they will do is put you on meds and shots to 1. control ovulation 2. to gather more follicles (eggs). Then when they are mature (18 plus mm), they will inject a shot to make you ovulate then you go in to get them retrieved. KEEP IN MIND IT'S NOT QUANTITY ITS QUALITY. This is what happened to me. They took out 7 follicles, then put my husbands sperm into the same petri dish. 3 days later I had 4 embryos that they put back into me. However, they want you to have 8 cell embryo's and were not. I had 3 fragmented embryos (which I am still not exactly sure what that means) and 1 four cell embryo, so my odds were not that high that they were going to continue to grow once they were back inside me. So hopefully I answered some quesitons for you, feel free to ask me anything.

As for you job, ughhh. Hard situation. Could you tell the new job that you would like to take it, but you can not start for 1 or 2 months?!? Then you would at least get your first IVF in before having to pay cobra. I actually pay cobra right now myself.

Thanks Misof!

It sounds alot like the injectible series I did prior to IUI, and while i could have sworn my doc told me I would be starting the pre-IVF shots with my period, I guess his partner (who was on call)uses the 10-days-before method. I am just so impatient, as I assume we all are, and missing any time at all feels frustrating - especially since i had not known for the two years at my current job that insurance coverage was so great for this! I will probably have to pay COBRA anyway for three months until the new insurance kicks in. Unless I don't really get the job, so all insurance problems, at least, would be solved.

I am going to do research on the whole IVF thing, and you gave me a great start. I hope all goes well for you, and I will keep an eye out for your updates.

Thanks again,

G

hi --- I am fixing to start my first IVF.., I am presently taking birth control for 18 days then I will be on lupron and brevelle injections for 2 weeks. So I should have my retrievel the week of thanksgiving...., As for as your other question I haven't seen alot of people come on this site that there insurance will pay for IVF --- only a few. and if your insurance pay's for 3 IVF -- on my god !! that is wonderful --- I'm sorry I would have to forget about the other job and get on cobra a.s.a.p. -- do you realize that IVF could cost over 12,000 with meds. ??? What if you change jobs and you don't have insurance for infertility (like most of us) don't do something that you may regret -- It may be a better job the poor benifits. so no -- I would just get cobra -- stay home -- and get myself ready for a B.F.P. !!!! Baby dust to you !!!!!! Lots of luck !!

Hi...not sure if I can shed any new light. We had two IVF treatments - they both started with my period. The first was the "long protocol" with the birth control pill, supression then stimulation. The second was "short protocol" - no birth control, or supression. I've never heard of not starting with your period, but as I'm learning, anything's possible!

Starting a new job will definitely add stress to your life, but if they're flexible about you taking time off once in a while, and you have benefits to cover the cost of IVF, then it's not necessarily a bad thing. Life has to continue through these treatments...it's tempting to put things on hold (my DH and I've been doing a lot of that in the last three years) but at some point you've got to say "enough!". A new job may be a great outlet and distraction for you, allowing you to feel like infertility isn't in control of your life.

As my husband and I said just this morning, there are no answers and we have no crystal ball so we just keep hoping we're making good decisions along the way.

Good luck to you, I really hope IVF works out. And good luck in that job!!

I too have been on both protocals for IVF. This is what I was told. If you are concidered a poor responder or have high or borderline FSH, you are not supressed at all. You just start with AF. Since I do not have high or boderline FSH and produced 8+ foll., the Repronex that my first RE put me on was wrong for me. Switched REs,with BCP first, then lupron and Gonal F. Produced 22 foll. Both protocals are good, just depends on what your RE wants to do in your case. Good luck with your IVF!!!

Dianna


[This message has been edited by Dianna (edited 10-27-2003).]

[This message has been edited by Dianna (edited 10-27-2003).]

Thanks for all the info!

It turns out that I am kinda starting right now (love my doctor, he stayed late to see me Monday night). I started bcps last night.

I decided that if i get the job I will tell them what the scoop is, and leave it up them if they still want me. The stress of my current job is killing me.

Good thoughts and babydust to everyone!

Gale

Gale, Just wanted to wish you luck with your cycle, and hope you get BFP!!!!

Dianna


[This message has been edited by Dianna (edited 10-29-2003).]

Hi Gale, Looks like you have a good doctor http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif glad to hear it!!!

I think you telling the new job up front what you are going through is smart because then you will not have to worry about what thier thoughts are, you will already know that they are ok with it!

Good for you. Lots of baby dust to you for a BFP http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks misof!

Babydust to you too! I see that you are starting a new IVF cycle - I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

G