IUI or IVF for 40 going on 41

Posted by ezpz (149 days ago)

There's so much talk about how your fertility drops after age 35. Is this a generalisation or could there be exceptions.
Reason I ask is I'm already 40 and going on 41 (soon!) but I think in terms of "real" age, I'm at least 10 years younger than my biological age. I eat well, ensure I get all the necessary nutrients and have been exercising regularly since I was 18.
Well, I married late and hubby and I finally decided to have a baby this year.
I did my 1st IUI (without fertility drug) with Dr William So and on 3rd April, the 2nd IUI with Dr Derek Lo using Gonal F injectibles. I will get the result next week.
Anyone tried with either of these doctors around my age and succeeded? Also, you should know that hubby doesn't have fantastic sperm count and motility.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Tags infertility

Posted by Blatant (148 days ago)

No matter how well you eat, how much you exercise & how young you feel, age is age.

My wife turns 40 this year. She is a health freak. Has a boy & a girl from previous marriage (10 12 years old) and 4 years ago started trying to have a baby with me. She was 36 and thought she would get pregnant immediately. 3 years later we saw a Dr & started IUI. After 3 tries we 'got lucky' and the baby is due in a few weeks. The Dr put her on injectibles + clomid + estrogen BUT told her she only had 1 egg there & didn't like our chances, even with IVF. Amazingly that 1 egg was all we needed.

Point is. Get started now. There are always exeptions & we always think WE will be the exception. Our Dr told us that women are born with a certain amount of eggs & they do 'run out', and the ones that are still there are getting past their use by date.

My wife is already talking of having another baby, but she will be 41 next year & I fear that may not be possible.

Good luck & move today. Every day counts we were told at this age.

btw the successful IUI we did involved 2. One on the Friday & one the next day.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Havefaith (148 days ago)

Unfortunately, it is true. Our fertility age is not that far off our real age. I am your age - 40 years old. Got married at 36 and did not want to try the first year - because of what was happening at work. I was really career minded and was not really worried about fertility becaues I have always looked 10 years younger - I have also exercised most of my life. However, after 3 IUI (with meds), 3 IUIs (without meds), 1 IVF - and 3 m/cs. I have to admit no matter how young you look you are still the age.

I would strongly encourage you to get moving. Good luck!

HF

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by blessed (146 days ago)

I will triple that. You can get away with biological age. The eggs do run out and quality decreases with time. After going through a couple of IUIs we decided not to 'waste' anymore time so went onto IVF and we're blessed with a little baby boy now.

Don't procrastinate and if you really want children, get started as soon as you can.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sydney girl (145 days ago)

Blatant,

What do you mean...
'the successful IUI we did involved 2. One on the Friday & one the next day'?

Very interested

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by longing (144 days ago)

Totally agree with all the above.

I started TTCing when I was 31, I'm now 39 and still trying! I too look much younger than my age. Two years ago when I went back to the UK I was asked to bring my parents because I wanted to close my bank account!!!! The truth is you may look younger on the outside but you are your age on the inside. Eggs do expire and there are exceptions.

My advice would be start as soon as possible.

Good luck

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ezpz (144 days ago)

Thank you Blatant, Havefaith, Blessed and Longing for all your honesty and encouragement. I will know by this weekend if I'm pregnant. Have been feeling loads of cramp, discomfort and gas the past week and I asked Dr Lo's nurse twice if this was normal. She says it's a good sign! So let's see.
By the way, has anyone heard of Dr Derek Lo and if he has a good history of successful IUI or IVF? I need to be very sure I'm going to the right doctor. This is my 2nd attempt (the 1st with Dr William So, his partner) and I really want to make the right choice. As you've all advised, I should get moving asap!
Last question for Blatant - when you said your wife did 2 IUI - one on Fri and one the next day - does this really help? I asked Dr Lo if I could do 2 back-to-back IUI earlier this month but he said no because it's too soon and the sperm quality will not be good. I am confused.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by longing (140 days ago)

Hi ezpz, any news?

Baby dust to all on this forum

Longing

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by louisa d (135 days ago)

Hi,

Thought i'd add something positive to all this. I'm 40 and tried 2 IUI's. I'm now pregnant with twins... everybody is different. Keep trying, just try and keep relaxed.

Good luck!

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by ezpz (131 days ago)

It is great to hear encouraging cases like yours. I hope I get lucky this cycle.

Hi "Longing" - thanks for remembering my date. Got my results on 18 April and not pregnant. Going for my next IUI again with Dr Derek Lo end of this week. This cycle, he has reduced my dosage of Gonal F from 300 to 150 as I had terrible cramps the last cycle. I'm praying and keeping my fingers crossed this month.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Highlander (131 days ago)

Hi ezpz,

Do you think you should go for IVF instead of IUI (since you have laready tried)?

(I am based in Singapore)

Posted by longing (130 days ago)

Hi ezpz, maybe you should give IUI one more try then move on. Time is not on our side unfortunately (i'm 39 and very close to 40).

Having less medication may take away the stress and you never know!

Longing

(I am based in Hong Kong)