I am still VERY (4wk 5days) early, but just had a great second beta and wanted to share because regardless of how this turns out, something stuck.
My husband (32) and I (33) started trying in January 2024 (I was 31.5 at this time). We had not been using any protection except for tracking my cycles on an app for more than a year before this with no scares. I saw my doctor for bloodwork after only 4 months because I just had a feeling something was off but all of my bloodwork came back fine. After 9 months we went to see my doctor to discuss, she had my husband get a sperm analysis which was normal except for low morphology which she was not concerned with at all. Tried 3 more months until we reached the year mark and I called the only fertility practice in our area and made an appointment. Had a normal SIS, normal HSG, confirmed ovulation and regular cycles and my husband had two additional analyses which our RE considered normal although morphology was still low. We were diagnosed with unexplained infertility. Due to an unrelated health issue we had to wait until June to start IUIs. We did 2 medicated (clomid) IUIs then met to discuss ivf. I had my egg retrieval in September and was not a candidate for fresh transfer. We had 11 retrieved, 7 mature, 6 fertilized and 6 made it to blast. We took two months off then transferred a day 5 4BB untested embryo. I did NOT think it would work and was SHOOK when I took the test at 8dp5dt. My betas have risen nicely and my first ultrasound is in 2 weeks.
Please don’t give up hope and please don’t think you’re alone. There are many of us suffering in silence while wearing a happy face. The possibility of IVF started out as my worst nightmare but I’m so so glad we decided to move forward!
Wow, thank you for sharing this! And a big beautiful congratulations!! We are on cycle 17, also 33, unexplained, with low morphology!
That said, I definitely have LPD which was ignored by my RE, but have been working to improve with my TCM Dr.
We did two medicated cycles this summer and once we hit 1 year, I was so burnt out that we took a break from it all. But this week we started weighing the options between IUI and IVF... My husband said let's just go big and do IVF, but I am quite terrified as even just the medicated cycle was exhausting. But I also have read so many stories of multiple IUI rounds (and IVF as well) but the odds seem much greater with IVF so your story feels like a sign.
Thank you for sharing and all my best wishes to your family!! <3
I totally understand!! I will say, the IVF process as a whole was much easier for me mentally than the IUI process. I can’t really explain it but it just felt like we were doing more, the chances were much higher and there was a lot more monitoring where we could see how things were progressing. The TWW after the IUIs was brutal emotionally, but with IVF it felt like we had more of a plan. Physically, IVF was not bad for me. I didn’t have side effects from the stim medication and continued my life normally. I took off the day of and day after the retrieval but I could have gone back day after, I just had extra sick time I could use. I managed to do the whole cycle without letting on to my employer as well. If I could go back, I would probably at least skip the second IUI and move on to Ivf, but my husband wanted to give it another chance. We also had over 160 million sperm post wash and STILL nothing took. Never once a positive test until IVF. I wish you guys all the best in whatever you decide! 💕
Oh my goodness, it's so funny because reading your story was already giving me that mental ease and clarity of IVF being less stressful for all of the reasons you mentioned. And I can't help but keeping thinking that IUI is hardly different than just trying on our own!
Thank you so much for sharing more and for all of your insight. I've just messaged my nurse saying we'd like to move forward with IVF :')
Of course!!! Reach out if you have any questions. Hoping all the best for you guys! ☺️💕
Your story sounds very similar to mine and we are about to start ivf. Your story gave me hope! Thank you! Praying for a safe, healthy and happy pregnancy ❤️
Thank you so much and good luck!!! ❤️
How amazing.. thank you for sharing. Hope it continues on smoothly and easily! ✨
Thank you so much!!