Reverse Vasectomy vs. IVF « Hellobee Boards

Reverse Vasectomy vs. IVF

By Lilamo Dec 12, 2013

Well we are currently going through the initial diagnostics prior to IVF. My husband had a vasectomy 9 years ago, and I'm 38 (39 in April) and have never tried to get pregnant before. The IVF dr. recommended we pursue IVF mostly due to my age factor. But...

I'm starting to have second doubts about going through IVF vs. getting a vasectomy reversal. Mostly due to cost and the emotional impacts of IVF. Compared to a vasectomy reversal and trying that. Do you have any advice regarding these two paths?

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11 comments

spaniellove
honeydew / 7916 posts

Dec 12, 2013

I think it might depend on the outcome of the testing and the likelihood that you could get pregnant without IVF. If your husband didn't have his vasectomy reversed, would he have to go through a special procedure to retrieve his sperm? Are you okay with taking the time to TTC without IVF knowing that that amount of time could lower your chances of IVF working if you should need it? I think that may be why your doctor is recommending IVF now. But if you feel strongly about giving it a try, then of course it could be worth it.
Lilamo
cherry / 106 posts

Dec 12, 2013

@spaniellove: Thank you for your response! Yes, we told ourselves we would re-assess after we received our initial diagnostics (by the end of this month). He would indeed need to have a special retrieval procedure done with IVF. It's hard to say if I'd be ok with the TTC process if we went that route. The doc emphasized that me turning 40 if we waited would be a "whole other ball game" in terms of conceiving in any form. So many decisions!!!
Lilamo
cherry / 106 posts

Dec 12, 2013

Actually what timing! We just got some of our results back and they are showing that I'm on the higher end of "intermediate" in terms of ovary response to Clomid. Our nurse said it is probably good to go through IVF because that is going to decline in the next 2 years.
spaniellove
honeydew / 7916 posts

Dec 12, 2013

@Lilamo: Well I don't think he should have said 40 like it's a magic number...it's not really like things just drop off like a cliff at 35 and 40! It's different for everyone and more like time passing in general can become a challenge. But I would wait and see what your test results are like first!
spaniellove
honeydew / 7916 posts

Dec 12, 2013

@Lilamo: That's not bad at all for 38-39. I guess it's up to you then what your gut feeling is. Is IVF covered by insurance for you?
Lilamo
cherry / 106 posts

Dec 12, 2013

@spaniellove: I know! I hate it when docs make some blanket statement about an age. I get that enough with my age as it is.

IVF is not covered by our insurance. eeeek. I just got a bunch of blood work done today, and go in for a hysteroscopy the 30th. We'll know more then!
Lilamo
cherry / 106 posts

Dec 12, 2013

My FSH levels after Clomid (day 10) were 9.6. I see online that a normal range is from 3-10.
spaniellove
honeydew / 7916 posts

Dec 12, 2013

@Lilamo: Did they also measure your day 3 FSH levels? They'll probably also do your AMH level. It's hard to say for sure with a day 10 number but from my experience I might not spend too much time TTC before trying something else. My day 3 FSH was 9.6 when we started treatments and went up to 11 in 6 months (I'm 32). Everyone is different though!
Lilamo
cherry / 106 posts

Dec 12, 2013

@spaniellove: They measured my day 4 (before clomid) which was 8.5... then they measured day 10 (after 5 days of Clomid) which was 9.6.

I just gave them 7 vials of blood tonight so who knows what else they are doing.
Espion
pomegranate / 3577 posts

Dec 13, 2013

@Lilamo: Overall pregnancy rates with vasectomy reversal are highest if it is reversed within 3 years. Getting to or beyond 10 years...chances get way slim. If the insurance covers it, it could be worth a shot, but don't let anyone sell you a high rate of success. (I don't intend a mean tone, I just hate those billboards that prey on dreams. )
Sunshine1810
pear / 1556 posts

Dec 13, 2013

One of my friends got re-married and had a reverse vasectomy and they were able to have a baby right away. I am not sure how far out he was from his vasectomy though.

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