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The forum has a new look and the Fairfax Team is so excited to create the best experience for our users.
To Note:
Private Donor Groups and Private Sibling Connection Groups are now located under the category "Groups". Search the donor number in the search box and you should find exactly what you're looking for!
Questions about your forum access? Email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
Follow these steps to join a private donor group:
1) Press "Join" at the right of the group
2) Once prompted to confirm your request please list this information so we can verify your information:
Name (under which the vial was purchased)
Clinic Name
Donor number
Child Date of Birth
*If you are looking to start a private group for a PRS donor please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com with the above information and that you are looking for a PRS group*
If you have any questions about the verification process please email forum@fairfaxcryobank.com
ICI or IUI?
jenandsarah
Junior Member
This is our first time at this..... I am 27 and my partner is 29. She is going to carry our first baby. We still are not sure if we want to do an ICI at home and avoid all the shots and medications or just go for the IUI and have a higher chance of pregnancy....
My partner is terrified of needles lol and does not want to go through with an IUI because she thinks she will have to endure countless blood work and medications is that true? If she is healthy will our OBGYN still do all of that? If we do the ICI route and track her ovulation at home does anyone know the success rate?
Which is the best way to go at our age?
My partner is terrified of needles lol and does not want to go through with an IUI because she thinks she will have to endure countless blood work and medications is that true? If she is healthy will our OBGYN still do all of that? If we do the ICI route and track her ovulation at home does anyone know the success rate?
Which is the best way to go at our age?
Comments
You can always go on to the next stage if this doesn't work for you...you have age and time on your side!
Good luck
Im going to keep it real with you .. needles are a part of this medical process... no matter if it's at home or in a fertility clinic or even a doctor's office. Depending on the clinic usually an evalution of the carrier's blood will be needed along with baseline monitoring and testing so that the doctor can come up with the best route to take for you. Being in your twenties helps because after 35 1/2 years old a women's fertility takes a natural drive in productivity.
Typically what happens is, you both should see a fertility doctor even though you both maybe very healthy and have no issues because you need sperm the clinic is there to make sure the ICI or IUI is done properly. A day after the last day of your period typically the carrying partner would get a HSG test, which would make sure that the uterus is healthy and that the tubes are open. Next after your period starts on the 2nd or 3rd day you would get a blood test to test the carrier's fertility and hormonal stats (very important). This determines if there is a need for fertility drugs which you may not need at all. After you get the all clear from your doctor... on day 1 or 2 of your first cycle period you start your blood work and your vaginal ultrasounds. This means about 4 to 5 days of monitoring and YUP **NEEDLES** for blood work. This usually happens about every 2 or 3 days until your about at your natural ovulation period (which is about day 11 to day 15 of your cycle). Once the ovulation has occured there is only about 48 hour window for insemination. The carrier should have at least 3 to 4 folicles on either your left and/or right side of your ovaries however, only one side will eventually release a mature egg. Once your doctor determines your body is naturally ready to release that egg you get a trigger shot. YUP another NEEDLE.. lol. You take this shot about a day or two before your IUI. This shot is done at home either by yourself or someone else who is not afraid to stick you.. Then you go in for your IUI and wait for about 2 weeks before you test to see if your pregnant this WHOLE process takes about 2 months on your first time around and can cost in the range of $2,000 to $5,000.00 * with insurance* and including donor sperm. If you happen to have to try again it should take about 15 days from your first day of your cycle.
This is a medical process and truly I don't like needles at all myself. I really don't like a vaginal probe being inside me and waiting in line with 20 other women in the same situation as me or even worse situations it can be overwhelming. However, I have learned to embrace the process because it's what we have to do in order to concieve and start our family it's a sacrifice but we ALL can get through it. Be strong and Hang in there. You and your partner can DO IT!! ;-)
Wish you all BOAT loads of Baby Dust!!
Blessings
So we started the process again. No needles or tests. It wasn't until after four attempts we decided with no pressure from the doc to use fertility drugs. We didn't have to do a trigger shot either, it was a possibility if we didn't get a positive on the ovulation indicator tests before a certain date, but we got the smiley face. We also didn't have 3 to 4 follicles, we only had 2. Our doc won't even inseminate if there are 4 follicles because of the possibility of multiple births. We got pregnant that month. By the way, your price range wasn't close to ours either, ours was cheaper. Point being every clinic is different. I wish I could send everyone I know to the clinic we went to. They were absolutely phenomenal!
Now, I do agree that needles are definately going to be part of the process of being pregnant, but they don't have to be at a fertility clinic. If they find one that wants to make decisions together with them, they may not have to deal with all you did. And if so, they may be lucky and get pregnant on the first or second try. But I definately agree that once you are pregnant, bring on the needles. I just wanted to share that there are clinics out there that aren't out to rape you financially. To me, all that required testing is a medical scam especially for lesbians going to a fertility clinic.
Sue & Jodi:
I agree you .. clinics are going to be different anywhere you go and it's a personal opinion which everyone is entitled to if they like the clinic they are going to. I was sharing my experience to help not hinder... of course everyone's experience is different but sometimes we can learn from our different experiences. I don't know many clinics that will let the patient make decisions for themselves and not base it on any medical testing (using a needle or not). I have my own personal opinion on that however, I do think whatever the choice ...it should be for the best for the couple no matter a straight couple or a lesbian couple. A couple's sexuality shouldn't make a huge difference in getting the assistance that we all need. We were not treated special b/c we were lesbians we were treated like a healthy couple with no fertility issues (post testing) we were monitored and went through the same process as any other woman trying to have a baby.
To clarify, my partner and I wasn't "raped" faras our checkbooks, our team of doctors gave us options and let us make choices for what was best for us based on testing that included blood being exacted by a needle. This is why we decided on a "natural cycle". We didn't use any fertility drugs just a trigger shot to release the egg. My body naturally produced the 3 to 4 follicies so that was mother nature's call.. of course we were going to inseminiate because the body naturally will only release the MOST mature egg not all 3 or 4.. and we are on day # 12 post IUI.
All and All.. this forum is to help.. it's to share opinions and experiences .. All of the opinions and experiences are going to be different but it doesn't mean that one opinion is better then any other or a clinic is better then another. Your clinic worked best for you and your family. Our team of doctors and the hospital we choose worked best for our needs. We live in a city its not cheap but we also get paid very well so paying was not an issue for us and I thank God for that.. but I understand that depending where you go and where you live prices will vary.
For me the needles .. testing.. etc..it didn't bother me that much b/c this is not about a needle prick.. this is about having a baby and raising a family.
I hope that things work out for you and your partner and that she moves past the needles complex.. and that you have continued comfort with your clinic. Good Luck..
Thanks for sharing.. that is what these forums are for.. It's a blessing.. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!