symptoms
- Thread starter reei
- Start date
splitting snow
Registered User
IUI vs IVF
Hi everyone,
I am 34 and TTC 2 almost 2yrs, have 1 blocked tube, and husband sperms are normal.
I went to see Dr Lo and he recommended me to do an x-ray (hsg) with Lipiodol, to see if my tube is still blocked (since my last x-ray was 1-yr ago). If it is not, we can proceed with my first IUI.....if it is still blocked, have to wait till I ovulate on the good side, then try the IUI.
We are comtemplating between whether to do the IUI or go straight for the IVF, since we are convinced that my tube is most likely still blocked, and don't want to waste any more time waiting for the good side to ovulate, and that we know the chances with IUI are low (8-12%).
Then I read about the 5-day embryo transfer vs the 3-day embryo transfer, and learned that Dr Lo doesn't do the 5d. However, I feel that our chances to succeed on the 1st IVF would be much higher with a 5dt, but am afraid if we would have no eggs left to freeze if we let the eggs cultured for 5days. Since the cost of the 1st IVF is HK$75000, and the 2nd is only $5000-8000 if there are eggs left in the freezer. We don't want to have to spend $75K again if we need to do a 2nd (with no eggs left from the last time).
I am torn between these options, does anyone have any idea or advice from similar situation?
Also, we found Dr Lo really nice & attentive, and would like to stay with him, but also heard that Dr Philip Ho (HK Sanitorium Hospital) is excellent and he lab offers the 5dt.
If anyone is also going thru the same thing, pls write me so we can share info.
good luck to all!
tks,
Hi everyone,
I am 34 and TTC 2 almost 2yrs, have 1 blocked tube, and husband sperms are normal.
I went to see Dr Lo and he recommended me to do an x-ray (hsg) with Lipiodol, to see if my tube is still blocked (since my last x-ray was 1-yr ago). If it is not, we can proceed with my first IUI.....if it is still blocked, have to wait till I ovulate on the good side, then try the IUI.
We are comtemplating between whether to do the IUI or go straight for the IVF, since we are convinced that my tube is most likely still blocked, and don't want to waste any more time waiting for the good side to ovulate, and that we know the chances with IUI are low (8-12%).
Then I read about the 5-day embryo transfer vs the 3-day embryo transfer, and learned that Dr Lo doesn't do the 5d. However, I feel that our chances to succeed on the 1st IVF would be much higher with a 5dt, but am afraid if we would have no eggs left to freeze if we let the eggs cultured for 5days. Since the cost of the 1st IVF is HK$75000, and the 2nd is only $5000-8000 if there are eggs left in the freezer. We don't want to have to spend $75K again if we need to do a 2nd (with no eggs left from the last time).
I am torn between these options, does anyone have any idea or advice from similar situation?
Also, we found Dr Lo really nice & attentive, and would like to stay with him, but also heard that Dr Philip Ho (HK Sanitorium Hospital) is excellent and he lab offers the 5dt.
If anyone is also going thru the same thing, pls write me so we can share info.
good luck to all!
tks,
Hi Splitting Snow
I am by no means an expert but I was reading the NICE (UK's National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidelines on fertility treatment and they said there was no compelling evidence that 5 day embryos were better than 3 day. Obviously I have heard the same as you so I am not sure what to believe but it was interesting that an impartial clinical guideline said this.
By the way, I think the FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) from memory from the other girls on this forum is higher than $5-8k. Perhaps someone can add further info on this?
If cost is an issue I have also heard from a friend recently who recommended Professor Haines in Shatin (at the hospital) as he is a 1/3 cheaper than the HK island doctors.
I know MayC, who is probably recovering and not on email at the moment (as she has just had an FET) had 5 day embryos frozen, so I don't see why this would be a problem. She is with Dr Ho as am I and I am fairly pleased with him (haven't been to Dr Lo)
Hope this helps.
I am by no means an expert but I was reading the NICE (UK's National Institute for Clinical Excellence) guidelines on fertility treatment and they said there was no compelling evidence that 5 day embryos were better than 3 day. Obviously I have heard the same as you so I am not sure what to believe but it was interesting that an impartial clinical guideline said this.
By the way, I think the FET (Frozen Embryo Transfer) from memory from the other girls on this forum is higher than $5-8k. Perhaps someone can add further info on this?
If cost is an issue I have also heard from a friend recently who recommended Professor Haines in Shatin (at the hospital) as he is a 1/3 cheaper than the HK island doctors.
I know MayC, who is probably recovering and not on email at the moment (as she has just had an FET) had 5 day embryos frozen, so I don't see why this would be a problem. She is with Dr Ho as am I and I am fairly pleased with him (haven't been to Dr Lo)
Hope this helps.
splitting snow
Registered User
Hi Kazbo,
tks for your advice! As I have been reading so much the last couple days, I find that the more I read, the more confusing I am. Today, I am leaning toward doing the HSG first before jumping into IVF. Just because I read that the HSG x-ray may show any signs of Hydrosalpinx or mild Endo, and may even "flush" out mild debris thats clogging the tube. My blockage is at the very beginning of the tube where it joins the uterus (proximal blockage). So I am hoping this time the HSG will show a more clear image of where the problem area is, since the last time I did it in China, and the film wasn't that clear, it only shows fluid going thru good tube, and completely dark on the other side.
I am also hoping to do an IUI following the HSG (if the ovulation happens on the good side). Do you know if given injectibles, can eggs mature from both ovaries, in which case it wouldn't matter which side I ovulate, and would be great for me.
Thanks again & good luck to you & May C & everyone here!
tks for your advice! As I have been reading so much the last couple days, I find that the more I read, the more confusing I am. Today, I am leaning toward doing the HSG first before jumping into IVF. Just because I read that the HSG x-ray may show any signs of Hydrosalpinx or mild Endo, and may even "flush" out mild debris thats clogging the tube. My blockage is at the very beginning of the tube where it joins the uterus (proximal blockage). So I am hoping this time the HSG will show a more clear image of where the problem area is, since the last time I did it in China, and the film wasn't that clear, it only shows fluid going thru good tube, and completely dark on the other side.
I am also hoping to do an IUI following the HSG (if the ovulation happens on the good side). Do you know if given injectibles, can eggs mature from both ovaries, in which case it wouldn't matter which side I ovulate, and would be great for me.
Thanks again & good luck to you & May C & everyone here!
Yes when I did an IUI I had eggs on both side from the stimulation hormones. It will depend on your dosage though and how good a responder you are to the drugs. I hope it works well for you.
I also heard that the HSG clears your tubes and makes you more fertile for the following 3 months. I can't say that I could see all that much when they did mine though (and that was in HK). It is only really the doctor attending who can analyze what is happening - it's very confusing to the person looking on.
I am sure you are getting more confused! Sometimes in our thirst to regain control we go crazy with the research but if it is confusing you may be best to leave it to the doctor to advise you?
By the way, as you are young your chances on both IUI and IVF will be higher than if you are over 35, 37 or 38 etc.
Good luck with your decision!
Kazbo
I also heard that the HSG clears your tubes and makes you more fertile for the following 3 months. I can't say that I could see all that much when they did mine though (and that was in HK). It is only really the doctor attending who can analyze what is happening - it's very confusing to the person looking on.
I am sure you are getting more confused! Sometimes in our thirst to regain control we go crazy with the research but if it is confusing you may be best to leave it to the doctor to advise you?
By the way, as you are young your chances on both IUI and IVF will be higher than if you are over 35, 37 or 38 etc.
Good luck with your decision!
Kazbo
Hi girls,
My period started this afternoon, just called the doctor to make an appointment in 2 weeks time, and start taking Progynova 3 times from tomorrow onwards. So I am on my FET cycle officially!!
MayC, how did your ET go? How are you feeling? Share with us if you are feeling any different from your last.
I am quite excited too, this cycle will just make it in time for me to get my results before I go away for my holiday.
How are the rest of the girls?
Hope everyone is well and good luck to all us!
My period started this afternoon, just called the doctor to make an appointment in 2 weeks time, and start taking Progynova 3 times from tomorrow onwards. So I am on my FET cycle officially!!
MayC, how did your ET go? How are you feeling? Share with us if you are feeling any different from your last.
I am quite excited too, this cycle will just make it in time for me to get my results before I go away for my holiday.
How are the rest of the girls?
Hope everyone is well and good luck to all us!
splitting snow
Registered User
Yes, we (women) tend to want total control over everything...hehe..and you are right Kazbo, I stopped reading for a day, and I didn't think about it much and felt more at ease with the decision, which is what Dr Lo recommended anyways, to go for the HSG.
Although I am wondering if I am passing too many eggs on the blocked side, would it accumulate inside the tube and cause more blockage/fluid build-up? Because I remember Dr Lo said he wouldn't recommend IUI if the HSG shows that my tube is still blocked. I am planning to call his office on Monday to clarify that.
We currently live in Xiamen, China, so we will have to fly to HK on the first few days of my period to prepare for the HSG. If you don't mind me asking, on what day did you start your injectibles for the IUI when you had eggs from both sides? And how many matured eggs did you have?
Tks,
ss
Although I am wondering if I am passing too many eggs on the blocked side, would it accumulate inside the tube and cause more blockage/fluid build-up? Because I remember Dr Lo said he wouldn't recommend IUI if the HSG shows that my tube is still blocked. I am planning to call his office on Monday to clarify that.
We currently live in Xiamen, China, so we will have to fly to HK on the first few days of my period to prepare for the HSG. If you don't mind me asking, on what day did you start your injectibles for the IUI when you had eggs from both sides? And how many matured eggs did you have?
Tks,
ss
I think the general rule is you have a scan on day 2 of your period to check there are no cysts and that your lining is correct thickness before starting injections on day 3. I also had various blood tests so that they could ascertain the dosage for the injections. I had definitely two mature follicles, possibly 3. It's not possible to know for sure with IUI as they don't retrieve them.
Glad you are feeling less confused!
Glad you are feeling less confused!
Hi MayC
So glad that it went well! And glad you are feeling OK. Try not to think too negatively about what will happen afterwards - just assume it will work. There is nothing you can do now and it is all in the lap of the gods. If it doesn't work out you can deal with that if and when it happens.
Just think about all the people you know for whom the FET worked when the 1st cycle didn't (I for one know several). I'm sure it will work.
Don't forget your progesterone levels are good too so that is a good sign.
So good that you can find out so quickly - at least you don't have a long wait. And we are here to make the next few days as smooth as possible for you.
Courage! You can do it....
So glad that it went well! And glad you are feeling OK. Try not to think too negatively about what will happen afterwards - just assume it will work. There is nothing you can do now and it is all in the lap of the gods. If it doesn't work out you can deal with that if and when it happens.
Just think about all the people you know for whom the FET worked when the 1st cycle didn't (I for one know several). I'm sure it will work.
Don't forget your progesterone levels are good too so that is a good sign.
So good that you can find out so quickly - at least you don't have a long wait. And we are here to make the next few days as smooth as possible for you.
Courage! You can do it....
I don't have any personal experience or knowledge but if it was me I would probably wait till Monday. Firstly because you will get a better indication of how viable the pregnancy is (as low beta scores can result in miscarriage). Secondly the waiting won't be so bad as you will be on holiday. Thirdly - it's only 3 days! You want it to be correct when you get that BFP, don't you!
I have a bit of a quandary too. In the last few days my husband has decided to transfer back to the UK and is pushing for a September date for us to leave. Apart from that fact we've just found out that the dog has to stay here for 6 months after getting a blood test (which adds additional issues), there is the more pressing issue of our IVF.
We are thinking we should probably wait till we get to the UK and then get onto a waiting list for NHS treatment while I am still young enough. If the waiting list is long we will maybe do one private try in the meantime.
Do you think this is the right decidion or should we go ahead straight away in HK? I am worried that I would fail the first attempt and then not be able to use the frozen embryos because we'd suddenly be going back to the UK. It is so hard to know how soon after you can do the FET, right? It depends on your body. For example, I only did an IUI last cycle and my body is all over the place as a result.
If you have any thoughts it would be really helpful!
I have a bit of a quandary too. In the last few days my husband has decided to transfer back to the UK and is pushing for a September date for us to leave. Apart from that fact we've just found out that the dog has to stay here for 6 months after getting a blood test (which adds additional issues), there is the more pressing issue of our IVF.
We are thinking we should probably wait till we get to the UK and then get onto a waiting list for NHS treatment while I am still young enough. If the waiting list is long we will maybe do one private try in the meantime.
Do you think this is the right decidion or should we go ahead straight away in HK? I am worried that I would fail the first attempt and then not be able to use the frozen embryos because we'd suddenly be going back to the UK. It is so hard to know how soon after you can do the FET, right? It depends on your body. For example, I only did an IUI last cycle and my body is all over the place as a result.
If you have any thoughts it would be really helpful!
splitting snow
Registered User
MayC, thanks so much for your advice & encourgement! I will be thinking of you this week, and lots of positive energy to you! You are almost there! and Kazbo, thanks for sharing your IUI experience with me, that really helps!
I am pretty sure that I am getting the HSG done this month after AF (which should come in a week), then if possible, I'd like to do my first medicated IUI with Dr Lo at the same time, will keep you girls posted.
Hkiegal, good luck on your treatment too!
I am pretty sure that I am getting the HSG done this month after AF (which should come in a week), then if possible, I'd like to do my first medicated IUI with Dr Lo at the same time, will keep you girls posted.
Hkiegal, good luck on your treatment too!
splitting snow
Registered User
Kazbo,
I am not sure where you are in your treatment, except that you had your IUI on your last cycle. I am thinking that there are still 3-4 months before September, and maybe you could do an IVF in HK before you head back? (Again, not sure how much it cost in the UK, so don't know if that would make sense). Also, since your dog has to stay behind for another 6 months, is it possible/would you consider staying here with your dog and let your husband go back to the UK first? If that's something you'd consider, then maybe he can save up some swimmers at the lab b4 he leaves? Finally, if you really have to go back after your 1st IVF, and IF it didn't work, you may be able to transport your frozen embryos back to the UK for further usage. I have heard that being done b4 (over the internet), but will need to look into it further.
These are just my thoughts, I hope it doesn't confuse you more.
Best of luck to you on making the decision!
SS
I am not sure where you are in your treatment, except that you had your IUI on your last cycle. I am thinking that there are still 3-4 months before September, and maybe you could do an IVF in HK before you head back? (Again, not sure how much it cost in the UK, so don't know if that would make sense). Also, since your dog has to stay behind for another 6 months, is it possible/would you consider staying here with your dog and let your husband go back to the UK first? If that's something you'd consider, then maybe he can save up some swimmers at the lab b4 he leaves? Finally, if you really have to go back after your 1st IVF, and IF it didn't work, you may be able to transport your frozen embryos back to the UK for further usage. I have heard that being done b4 (over the internet), but will need to look into it further.
These are just my thoughts, I hope it doesn't confuse you more.
Best of luck to you on making the decision!
SS
Thanks SS
I suggested the same to my husband but he thinks it will be cheaper to leave the dog alone in kennels for two months than to pay for both of us to have an apartment in different countries at the same time. He is probably right.
I am tempted to push to try one IVF and I think I will ask the nurse about flying back the embryos. Sounds dangerous...
However I convinced my husband of the need to go back to the UK for NHS IVF treatment so if we end up paying full whack over here for it privately he will probably not be very happy!
Btw, the cost for IVF here is $75,000 or so depending on drugs. Which is the same as doing it back in the UK privately.
Oh and I've just had one IUI but we've decided to go for IVF now as it is my husband's bad morphology that is the problem and success rates are much improved with IVF for this problem.
I suggested the same to my husband but he thinks it will be cheaper to leave the dog alone in kennels for two months than to pay for both of us to have an apartment in different countries at the same time. He is probably right.
I am tempted to push to try one IVF and I think I will ask the nurse about flying back the embryos. Sounds dangerous...
However I convinced my husband of the need to go back to the UK for NHS IVF treatment so if we end up paying full whack over here for it privately he will probably not be very happy!
Btw, the cost for IVF here is $75,000 or so depending on drugs. Which is the same as doing it back in the UK privately.
Oh and I've just had one IUI but we've decided to go for IVF now as it is my husband's bad morphology that is the problem and success rates are much improved with IVF for this problem.
Hi MayC
Yes, we have decided that that is the best option - going private as soon as we get settled. It makes me very nervous as time is ticking by and my eggs are not getting any younger! But hey - can't be helped.
Of course I will still check up on your girls - though will hopefully have moved onto new threads about nappies before long.
The forums in the UK are so full of people they are very daunting and cliquey and no-one replies to your posts... :-(
Yes, we have decided that that is the best option - going private as soon as we get settled. It makes me very nervous as time is ticking by and my eggs are not getting any younger! But hey - can't be helped.
Of course I will still check up on your girls - though will hopefully have moved onto new threads about nappies before long.
The forums in the UK are so full of people they are very daunting and cliquey and no-one replies to your posts... :-(