[xxneedinlotsofbabydustxx]

hi

i have been searching the net for these answers but cant seem to get any anwers. i know that for someone my age the chances of success are approx 30%. however how many women do actually get that success story. what is the percentage of women who arent successful? 30% would suggest that after 3 attempts you are likely to be successful, but im sure when you see the doctors you get your own chances of success.

i havent even been referred for ivf yet but after 2 1/2 years ttc i feel that that when we go to see gynae that could well end up being the route for us. anyway if all fails adoption wont be an option for us. i just feel llike i need to have all the factss and figures around me so that i can prepare myself for the worst....if that makes sense. i want to go on this journey with my eyes wide open. people around me keep saying dont worry you will have a baby dont worry.... but actually i might not. so i just dont want to be niaeve about it all.

hope this makes sense and hasnt upset anyone xxxxxxx

 

[staceysm]

Hi,

That is about right.  I am 35 yrs old and my IVF worked on my first attempt.  I was told I had a 1 in 3 chance which is roughly 30%.

I wish you all the best.

Stacey
x

 

[joannajoanna]

I think this is a really hard question - obviously you do have your own 'built-in' likelihood, but the reality is that it's impossible for anyone to know what that is. The rule of thumb is 30%, adjusted for your age, and yes, with 3 rounds 'most' people should be successful (hence the NICE recommendation of 3 cycles to be funded, though of course that's rarely the case). The first round is often a bit of a trial, seeing how you respond to the drugs, which may be given at a lower dose (clinics won't want to take the risk of a bad reaction, and it's very hard to predict this). But of course there are SO many variables. Two women apparently the same may have quite different responses - one might be a textbook case and get pregnant after one or two cycles; the other might have all sorts of hidden issues (with her or her partner), which may or may not come to light over time, depending on whether she decides to pursue advanced testing and treatments, and whether modern medicine can find anything.


On the other hand, you may find that you're first recommended for something much 'milder' than IVF - IUI, or a drug treatment, which will work for you.


I think one of the frustrating and difficult things about the IF journey is that there often aren't straightforward answers. It's perhaps a bit easier to get data if you have a clear issue that needs specific treatment, but even then, little seems to be really predictable.


Some friends' clinic explained to them that it's all about likelihood and percentages, rather than clear yes/no factors. So, for instance, you may have a 25% natural chance of conception each month. But this is reduced by x% by one factor, y% by another, increased z% by a third - but you'll never really know what those percentages or the factors are (medical, emotional, environmental... the list could be endless), so all you can do is try to maximise as many as possible at the same time. So, for instance, I decided to stop drinking alcohol and caffeine before and during ttc. Clearly neither is actually a barrier to conception, given how many people get pregnant naturally with them, but if I could increase my chances by 1% a month by doing it, then it would be worth it.


I think it's good to be realistic, but I think there's also an element of blind optimism needed! But IVF and other fertility treatments DO work - and for many of us has somehow defeated the percentages that our bodies were naturally coming up with.


Good luck with whatever route you get referred to.

 

[coweyes]

Tbh i am not sure that knowing the % of success is very helpful.  Just on a personal note i was 29 when i started icsi i have had 2 icsi cycles and one natural fet cycle.  One resulting in a early miscarriage and the other 2 in a bfn.  My consultant has said that my treatment has been textbook each time.  On all accounts my treatment has been strait forward but yet i have still not had a baby.  LIke Joanna said there are a lot of other factors.  Which a degree of it has to be luck, so maybe i have just been unlucky so far? who knows.


Personally i would not get too hung up on %.  Find out what your clinic belive is best for you and roughly the success rate, try and get everything else in your life in order.  Eat well, reduce stress etc and then just hope and pray that it will happen.  If it works first time then the % has been 100% and if it does not then its been 0%.  Only other thing i would say is that each clinic are very different so look into the best clinic for you and your situation. xxxx

 

[xxneedinlotsofbabydustxx]

hi,

thanks ladies, i do know its kind of an impossible question and each person has their own reasons for not ending up with a child, maybe they grow apart, maybe they look at other options or several other things. i just felt that if a had a figure in my head of the percentage of people with fertility issues that never have a child it would kind of make me feel more optimistic, especially if its only a small percent.

i apologise if this sounds horrible selfish and self absorbed, but i just want to be a mummy so much, i never thought things would be this hard and i really dont know what id do..... what if i never get to know the joys that motherhood can bring 

 

[coweyes]

It is really difficult, but that question is for later on in the journey if things don't work out!  I used to ask myself that a lot and still do occasionally, but i have learn that its a pointless question that does not help you remain focused or positive. xxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

[Merinda]

In your case I would also focus initially on finding a good specialist and doing a good diagnostic, i.e. look at your tubes, DH's sperm analysis, look at your cycle and hormone levels throughout, may be a hysteroscopy to exclude anything in the uterus. There may be some specific problems that prevent you from getting pregnant, but could be addressed.
Only then I would look at IUI/IVF and possibly more detailed analysis, such as the immune or genetic testing.
Good luck, age is still on your side!