Statistics and timeline on TTC (and emotional support too)

[lauranash]

Hello,

This is a strange one I guess. I am trying to find some statistics to see how long it is likely to take me to get pregnant/what are my chances of getting pregnant.

This is because my BF doesn’t want to have a baby before he is 35yo (in 3 years) and he asked me the “statistics”.

I am at loss with his question, but I am trying my best to get some answers.

Some information:

- I am 31 years old

- I have endometriosis stage 3 (spots of endo, a few nodules, scar tissue and adhesion pretty much everywhere in the lower abdomen, but it was removed in 2011 with a “normal” looking inside. I will probably have a third lap next year as symptoms are now back)

- Polycystic ovaries (30+ cysts)

- Retroverted uterus

- I tried to conceive unsuccessfully for about 2 years when I was 25-27yo, including two courses of induced ovulation (clomid +ovitrelle) (I never got pregnant)

I didn’t find much data in terms of statistics and timeline of successful pregnancies of women with endometriosis, classified by age and severity of the disease. Could anyone help with this?

On top of that, I need to take the administrative aspect into consideration too. How long does it take to get referred to an Assisted Conception Unit?

I am planning to move (maybe in 6 months from today) to a borough where the NHS funds 3 courses of IVF if I have been living in the borough for over 12 months. Does that mean that I could still have access to other treatments before the 12 months?

All of that to say that I am trying to guess:

1.how long should I allocate from the initial GP appointment, to the moment where the assisted conception unit would start the treatment

2.And then, what are my chances to conceive once I start the treatments

3.I also wonder at what rate my fertility declines each year and affects my chances of getting pregnant.

This is an open and messy thread, I don’t realistically expect anyone to bring straight answers. Any advice would help really as I am also in great need of emotional support…

[Hopeful1982]

Hi Laura, I'm not an expert on endometriosis or PCOS and I don't have any statistics but what I would say is that, I thought 31 would be a nice age to conceive. Two years since we started trying, I'm 33 and feeling like I'll be extremely lucky to have a baby by the time I'm 34 (if at all). So, I wouldn't reallyrecommend delaying it albeit you both need to be ready.

I dont know how long the wait is in your area but it's taken us 10 months from GP referral to our first appointment. I think we've been unlucky but it's a slow process all the same.

My advice would be for you and your boyfriend and to make a joint appointment to see your GP and discuss it with him/her. Once you have the right medical advice you can make an informed choice.

Good luck x

[Vickal]

Don't know how much help I can be but will share my experience. I got lucky in that the gyne who did my lap (investigating endo) happened to be head of the fertility clinic. I told him we'd been trying for six months already and when my endo was found (mild to moderate with adhesions, bladder, uterus, appendix and 90% of one ovary covered) he told me to come back if I wasn't pregnant in six months and suggested my hubby should do two sperm samples. He also said to come back earlier if my hubby's samples showed a problem. Unfortunately they did so we got a referral to the fertility clinic within a year of trying. We have been going to and from the clinic for various tests for the last six months and are about to start IUI treatment with my next cycle. So for us its been six months from gp to treatment.

I've been told the success rate for IUI is 10% IVF is better but the success rates vary from clinic to clinic. I'm 34 and my clinic don't seem too fussed about my age but I've got a good ovarian reserve. my gyne did say that that can fall off as you get older and emphasised time is of the essence.

I think it all depends so much on your personal situation (both you and your partner) as there are so many factors to take into account.

good luck, hope this helps x

[miss_marple]

Hi Laura,

I also have endometriosis and have been looking a lot into timeframes etc! I don't have exact answers for you but from my reading I'd say it can take a very long time to get through the NHS system, just the wait for referrals, blood tests, scans etc to get to a stage where you're ready for some treatment. I've read quite bit saying that IUI might not be very successful in women with endometriosis, it may be that instead IVF is considered to be the best option and at this stage you'd join the waiting list once referred which can vary by area. You'll also need to ensure you meet the criteria (in my case I need to get the BMI down a bit!).

My personal advice to you is not to delay TTC, particularly as you have tried before. Fingers crossed it doesn't take you a long time, but unfortunately it could take longer than you ever expected it too and you may regret not trying earlier or at least starting the process to get on the waiting lists etc. I think with endometriosis, once we have the knowledge and information on our condition it's up to us to act on it. The one piece of universal advice I've had at appointments with drs and from speaking to others in similar situations is simply not to delay trying to conceive when you have endometriosis and know you want children. In my case, I know I want more than one child so I am just keen to get going!!

I have found that by having my other half at appointments, it really helps when they hear what the doctor says directly. It's not that my other half doesnt believe me but there's more authority to the advice when coming directly from the doctor.

If you haven't already, perhaps consider having some tests done to check your ovarian reserve as this could also shape your plans.

I hope this is helpful and good luck with everything

xx