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