[LisaB]

I hope it's not too personal to ask, but would you mind sharing your thoughts on invitro fertilization? Are you generally for it, or against it? If it was covered by your insurance, would you do it? If you have done it, what are your thoughts about IVF?

I know I should probably ask this on the TTC w/medical assistance board, but I know the answer over there is almost 100% pro-IVF, and I was curious what you ladies think.

[Augie]

It's not for me. I think it can be a great option for women, but personally, I can't see spending that much money for a chance that it'll take and I'll carry to term. That money would be better spent adopting, IMO.

I'm not at all a fan of PGD but understand why some would choose that route. For me, it's a baby at fertilization. I'd have a hard time not mourning those genetically-flawed embryos.

[LisaB]

I guess I should answer my own question - I have done IVF, and I strongly believe it is an effective choice for some women experiencing infertility. But maybe not all women. It depends on the medical history. But to use my husband's sports analogy, before IVF, I was 0-5 babies - after IVF, I was 3 for 3 (we transferred three embryos, and they all implanted!)

[plan4fate]

I'm fully in support of ivf for everything except gender determination. I do have issues with embryo's that are destroyed for livable things like down syndrome (I have the same issue with abortion).

Like Augie I would mourn embryos that needed to be destroyed, but I could live with it easier than I could losing the child from my womb due to a disorder.


my family has two separate genetic issues, both of which can be prevented with IVFwPGD in most cases. Neither condition is truly livable, though Battens can be argued as livable..but there is no quality of life.

I do think that more IVF should be covered by insurances with out spiking up coverage rates. If anything, all tests and medications should be covered with the actual procedure itself out of pocket.

I would do ivf if needed if we could afford it. But the reality is, $15,000 is way out of our league, and DH wouldn't adopt (he won't take the chance on my heart being broken by a failed adoption).

[LisaB]

Originally Posted by Augie

I'd have a hard time not mourning those genetically-flawed embryos.

Oh Augie, I do understand, but having miscarried 5 of those genetically flawed embryos, and having seen the gene pairs (where not just one or two flaws existed, but basically EVERY other pair was flawed - no chance of survival past a week or two, if that), maybe that is why I feel differently.

I cheered on my embies when they fertilized, and ALL were given a chance to grow - that is a common misconception, that they just chuck the genetically flawed, it is your choice actually what happens to the genetically flawed, chuck, donate to science, freeze or implant - but in the end, only three of my embryos continued to grow, so those survivors were implanted. I hope that makes you feel better about PGD.

[Augie]

Lisa, I hope I didn't offend with the PGD comment. I completely understand why people choose it. I just know I couldn't do it.

[LisaB]

No offense at all! This is why I was asking, I was curious.

[ShesaDreamer]

If it were in our budget and we needed to use it I would do it. I'm not really versed in the IVF. We never got that far we still had 3 clomid cycles left when we got pregnant.


And I agree I'd have a hard time not mourning the babies with flaws.

[*JenJen*]

I'd do IVF in a heartbeat if we could afford it. We're probably moving down that path anyway but with needing a small fortune to get there it's still several years down the line.

While I'd love to adopt, I also desperately want the experience of carrying my own child and giving birth. I want the whole experience if there is any way I can.

[Halloween81]

I would definitely do IVF if they found a genetic reason for our losses that could be helped using PGD. I'm actually hoping that they find a genetic reason with all the tests that the doctors are doing on Joshua. I am waiting for the microarray results to come back in the next couple weeks and hoping that will finally give us an answer. DH and I are very fortunate because we can afford this treatment. If they do find something genetic we will do IVF.

[geogeek]

For me personally, I wouldn't do it. I am mostly with Augie on this. I even asked my DH if we could just adopt and not TTC after our 4th loss. He really wanted a biological child, so we continued on with TTC. We would have TTCed for a couple of years before starting adoption work so we could raise the money.

I am very glad that it is there for people who need and want it. I am one that wouldn't do any medical assistance at all. No clomid or things like that. I however WOULD do something to keep a pregnancy after it comes to be which was my problem and it was solved with baby aspirin. I am one of the few lucky ones.

[Servilia]

I have nothing against IVF. And regarding flawed embryos - I hope no one takes offense, but if they would have been miscarried anyways because they're non-viable then I don't have a problem with their loss during the IVF process.. If it came down to a choice of IVF or no children of my own, I would choose IVF. I have nothing against adoption either but not considering that just yet.