Trying to understand IVF...

[happyseal]

Hello Ladies and gens...hope you’re having a good Sunday.

I and my partner are quite new on this TTC journey and we don’t quite get IVF.

I have endometriosis with endometriomas, adehesions, etc. my AMH came up low so the fertility doc has mentioned IVF, and that we’d have to collect the eggs before any surgery.

The thing is that we’d love to have it natural. We don’t understand what IVF includes. I’ve read about it but I’m finding everything a bit confusing.

I’d love some tips on what shall we ask the doc and what should we watch out for. Or any ideas on where can we find clear and simple information about IVF.

We’d also love to have a second child in the future but as the doc is talking about the egg count dropping after endometriosis surgery, I fell that it would be even harder in the future. Any of you had luck with a second child after IVF for your first pregnancy?

Thank you so much for your time...

[treezuk]

Hi 👋🏻

My understanding is with the low AMH which I also have and the endometriosis you would really struggle naturally to fall pregnant.

With ivf you would be giving medication to stimulate your ovarys to produce follicles when they get to a certain point they will retrieve the eggs and then mix them with your partners sperm to make embryos then you wait till day3 or 5 depending on clinic to see how many embroyos you have , depending on your egg quality and husbands sperm you could end up with one or several there is no real way of knowing exactly what your gonna get at the end.

We did donor eggs due to my low AMH , the donor for 13 follicles eggs / 11 matured , 10 federalised and then we ended up with 4 top grade blastocysts had they worked essentially if each one of those embryos took we could of had 4 children unfortunately for us it took 4 transfers and we now have twin boys 18m old (plus an older child to own eggs)

My best suggestion would be to ask for some fertility councilling through your clinic and ask lots of questions.

[happyseal in reply to treezuk]

Thank you...that’s so much clearer than what’ve been finding in different websites.

How does the donor egged work?

[treezuk in reply to happyseal]

Donor egg basically works that you will approach clinic , they will then search for a donor that’s similar looking to you as similar as they can and Match up as many characterics as they can and then they send you the info - no pics just height weight hair colour eye colour etc and you decide from there some country’s show pics and info but I chose anonamous then you basically cycle yourself at the same time as the donor they retrieve the donors eggs and your partner either has to be there at that point to have done his sperm sample or your partner can do one in advance to freeze and then they just do it there before you come for transfer.

[happyseal in reply to treezuk]

Oh ok. I understand. I hope I’m able to have enough eggs. Otherwise I’m not sure if I’d prefer to ask one of my sisters to donate. Thank you...it’s been very helpful all your answers.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi happyseal. The removal f endometrimoas can result on the loss of ovarian tissue, so I feel you are right to try a round of IVF before any surgery. Once embryos are hopefully created, my thoughts are that you could have them stored frozen until you are recovered sufficiently to have embryo transfer. The suggestion of counselling is a good one, as t gives you a chance to ask questions and discuss how you are feeling. i do have a list of questions I could email you in confidence if you want. Most won't be appropriate, but there should be a few you could use. My email is: [e-mail] Hope all goes well. Diane

[happyseal in reply to DianeArnold]

Hi Diane, thank you for your answer. I’d appreciate the list of question. I’ll email you shortly. When you say counselling, is it like talking therapy or something similar? Would that be through my GP? There hasn’t been much support from the doctors or anything like that. And I’m having fertility appointments because I asked for more details last year before a laparoscopy an then said not to the laparoscopy. The endo specialist was just pushing for surgery. Well anyways. Thank you dear.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to happyseal]

Hi happyseal. At home now, but back in my office on Wednesday, so will reply to this post then. Diane xx

[happyseal in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you Diane

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to happyseal]

Hi. All done. Diane xx

[happyseal in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank Diane, your question list and the email is very helpful. Thank you 😊

[Lilly12255 in reply to DianeArnold]

Hi Diane, you said the removal of endometriosis can result in losing ovarian tissue. I assume this is only if they go inside the ovaries during the laparoscopy? Can they avoid the ovaries?

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Lilly12255]

Hi. They will look at the ovaries too during a laparoscopy. You would only lose some ovarian tissue only if absolutely necessary. E.g. if an endometrial cyst was present. Rest assured your ovaries will always be preserved unless a real problem was found. Diane

[happyseal in reply to DianeArnold]

Yes the endo specialist said that since my priority is fertility then they’ll be more conservative even if it means not doing the full surgery for endometriosis.

[Lilly12255 in reply to DianeArnold]

Will they go into the ovaries or just look like for a scan?

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Lilly12255]

Hi. Just look round them. If there are any large cysts, they may drain them, but that should be all. Diane

[Lilly12255 in reply to DianeArnold]

So in which situation do ladies end up losing egg reserve after being treated for endometriosis?

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to Lilly12255]

Hi Lilly. Probably only when an endometrioma large enough to be removed which can include some or all of an ovary. You would be told beforehand if anything so drastic was to happen, so try not to worry, your specialist should explain exactly what is to be done, or going to be done. Diane

[happyseal in reply to DianeArnold]

In my case they’ll try removing the adhesions around ovaries and tubes. The endometrioma they said isn’t big so that they’re not worried about it.

The specialist did seem more worried about the colon, actually.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to happyseal]

Hi happyseal. The removal of the adhesions should be straightforward, if he/she has any concerns about your colon you would most likely be referred to a different specialist for his/her opinion. Diane

[happyseal in reply to DianeArnold]

Well, it is an Endo clinic so the surgery will involve the colon specialist and urologist. So there’ll specialist from all the organs involved.

I guess that’s the good things about Endo clinics. They have a wide range of consultants that can intervene during laparoscopy.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to happyseal]

Hi.. Oh that's even better, so you go all the endo problems in one place. Good to know. Diane

[Lilly12255]

It’s really a matter of age. Even with low AMH, your chances are good if you are below 40

[happyseal in reply to Lilly12255]

Fingers crossed 🤞 🤞 🤞

[jengi]

Hello & welcome! It can be very daunting! I found this website very useful theduff.co.uk

I also have low AMH for my age & unfortunately had no success with my own eggs. I am currently 15 weeks pregnant with the help of donor eggs. Feel free to check out my profile. Some women are lucky to have success with low AMH, there is every chance you could be one of the lucky ones! 🤞🏻

Wishing you the very best! Xx

[happyseal in reply to jengi]

Thank you 🙏 😊 congratulations on your pregnancy.

I’m trying to be prepared for any possibilities so I don’t let the emotions get the beatbox me. But who knows.

[jengi in reply to happyseal]

The emotional side is by far the hardest, our bodies are pretty resilient & can cope with a lot, our minds less so. I found counselling really helpful. Wishing you all the best. Take each day at a time & look after each other! Xx

[happyseal in reply to jengi]

Thank you sweetie all the best for you too.