[chucksusanandgrace]

Hey Lisa,

You wrote on another post (recurrent pregnancy loss)

I'm 38, and my doctor said for my age group, about 1/3 of my eggs will be normal (2/3 abnormal) is the rule.[/b]

Can you please clarify by what this means in terms of carrying a baby to term and conceiving a child. I'm very worried after reading this.

Does this mean that 66.6% of pregnancies would end in miscarriages? Or does it mean that the eggs are not good enough so it makes TTC more difficult? I can handle a little wait to conceive, but I don't think I can TTC if my chances are only 33.3% that I won't miscarry.

Can you please clarify?

Thanks.

PS Sorry to post this on this site, but I thought some other ladies might be able to chime in as well. I couldn't find hard statistics on this when I googled egg quality over 35 in goodgle. Thanks

[greenchild]

you will need to get your FSH level tested on CD 1 - 3 to indicate your egg quality. I do recommend having it done for a few months in a row however ot get a better picture. It can vary each month. Being older than 35 doesn't necessarily mean you will have poor quality eggs.

My FSH was tested in Oct the cycle after I had surgery (Sept) to remove cysts and scar tissue from my ovaries (1 month before our IVF cycle - Nov) and it was "borderline" high at 15.6. I'm 31. But they didn't test it any other month, so was it high because my eggs are poor quality or bc "traumatic stress" can greatly affect the level too? (hmmm . . . having them peel off scar tissue and punctured several times to drain the cysts I would think would be stressful to the ovaries!) But my RE was happy with the quality of eggs he got out of me.

Good luck!!

[chucksusanandgrace]

I should also add that when we conceive we conceive on our own. I have never done clomid or IUI or IVF, etc. No because I am against it, just because honestly, I didn't think I could handle it emotionally (kwim)?

[steph&dan]

I am 38, and my initial day 3 fsh was 11. I my OB was concerned because it is borderline high (each lab has different ranges). A high FSH indicates low ovarian reserve and or quality. My repeat test the following month was 6.9 which is perfect. I had her run a test called Inhibin B. My inhibin B was good. From my reading, if your fsh, estradiol and inhibin b are all good, you have a significant number of good eggs remaining. A woman of any age can have poor egg quality. I started acupuncture and chinese herbal teas to better increase my chances of conceiving. After 3 mo's (and treating my DF low sperm count) we conceived naturally. My pregnancy did end in M/C. However, statistically, more women will m/c than deliver. After the age of 35, your risk for m/c is about 30%. We opted to start clomid w/ IUI as soon as my next cycle is completed. 3 cycles is all I am giving it, because traditionally, women over 35 usually respond to injectables better than clomid. Hope I helped.

[chucksusanandgrace]

After the age of 35, your risk for m/c is about 30%.

That isn't too bad of a risk.

How do they get the FSH? Is this a blood test or something more invasive. I have never done fertility but I did see a high risk pregnancy specialist for a pre consultation as well as when I was pregnant with my twins that I lost. I wonder if I should see a fertility specialist just for some preliminary blood tests? I'm not interested in doing clomid or other invasive things because emotionally I couldn't handle the extra added pressure that TTC brings.

I know my Dr said that in general 50% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. She said due to the very early blighted ovum and those darn HPTs.

I'm still leary, but I might TTC for a little while longer. I'm still really trying hard to be at peace wtih having one child...because she is such a blessing.

Thanks again ladies.

[steph&dan]

Sue, FSH, estradiol and inhibin B are all blood test that they draw on CD3. Inhibin B isn't in the usual workup, I asked for it after doing research. FSH and E2 are all you need. Your regular OB can order those test. Isn't it funny how "trying" to have a baby can be physically and emotionally draining? I mean many people spend so many years planning on NOT getting pregnant. And now we are actively TTC. Earlier this year when I started charting temps and opks, I was sooo stressed. Then I finally decided to try clomid and ended up pregnant. My OB laughed! She said it happens all the time. Now I am starting over, and scheduling clomid and I started to freak myself out. I am ok now. Resolved to try. I don't know where you live, but I encourage the use of acupuncture for fertility. Have you considered it?