Hello! We just did our first IUI this past March, and got a BFN. Our fertility Dr. called tonight and said that he doesn't think IUI is going to work for us, as my husband had a 4 million sperm count, and at least 10 mil. is needed:-(
So we have 2 options...do IUI with a donor, as I responded very well to the meds, or do an IVF cycle. My question is, how does anyone afford this? We can't apply for a loan or credit card (our credit is not so great). And, what should I expect with an IVF cycle? Our Dr said that he would do a procedure with it, I think he may have said a CBC or a CBS. Have no idea what that is! I'm new to all of this. I just finally got the ins and outs of IUI down, now its not even an option again with DH.
Our Dr is great, and he is going to try to work something out so we can afford IVF. I'll find out tomorrow what he can do. I know its about $10- $12 thousand. THOUSAND!!
But he said that our success rate with DH would be about 50% or higher.
Any advice is very much appreciated!

Hi and welcome to the board!!

I believe what your Dr is suggesting you have is ICSI, a procedure where they take your DHs sperm and individually place them in your eggs. Because of his low count.

Its expensive if you have no insurance. How old are you, if you dont mind me asking.

There are tons of ways to save. I sold my car and drove a beater until we saved up for half of the cycle. Then we financed the rest through our bank and just made larger payments to get it paid off quicker.

we were on a very strict budget for awhile...but it is DOABLE....you could also get a second job to put into savings. It took us about 7-8 months of strict saving to do this.

Or you could go the route of donor sperm, but I am sure your dh would like bio children as well.

There are also websites that help out with some funding of IVF...I am sure Melissa has those, as well as some other ladies here.

and I cant wait to get to know you better!

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Stacie
DS~Jake
DS~Elijah

There are a ton of us that had to do a bunch of different things to finagle enough money to do IVF. I personally borrowed a boat load from my sister and I took on a job that had some insurance coverage. Just keep searching and moving forward. Eventually you will find your way to your funds!

Keep us updated on how it's going for you.


~m

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I just wanted to wish you luck. ALso if yo go to Home - ClinicalTrials.gov it will list different studies, and you can type in your state and it will tell you the local ones. I was about to participate in one and was only going to have to pay $2000.00 for the entire cycle. Try it out maybe you will find something.

First Welcome -- You found a great source of information and an incredible bunch of Ladies who are so supportive!!!

I agree with all those above me and want to add --

First a question -- why is it that the dr is not just going to combine "samples" for use in another iui attempt. samples can be frozen and then used together -- if it just a numbers game.

Capital One finance where I received $ - it is my understanding that credit doesn't have to be perfect -- It's worth a shot.

Also go through your budget and cut and slice -- you'll be surprised at how much money can be saved. We cut out all take out and are saving over 500 a month!!! Yah we're just those kind of people.

Sit down with pen and paper and write everything down and go from there! Where there is a will there IS a WAY!!!!! KUP!

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Thank you all so much for your advice! And I never even thought of using 2 vials of DH's sperm, what a great idea!! I have to call my DR tomorrow, I'll bring that up.
I am 32 and DH is 31. We've been ttc for about 5 yrs, but only 2 yrs have been w/ meds. We did get pregnant naturally, but had a missed miscarriage in April 06 ( I was only about 6 wks along). So I did 6 mo. of Clomid- and I gained a LOT of weight, but otherwise nothing happened. (Oh yes, I was a witch on that stuff, lol). Took a break, then we were referred to our fertility Dr, did 1 round of IUI w/ meds and here we are!
We're going to apply for the Capital One card--we'll see how that turns out! And we're thinking of using donor sperm for an IUI round. IVF isn't out of the question, Dr says he may be able to provide us meds at low cost.
So thanks for all of your wonderful advice, and I'll update after talking to our Dr. :-)

-------------Linda

(A side note, DH had a count of 4 mil. post wash the 1st IUI, and 3 mil. the 2nd time. We were told that @ least 10 mil is needed. So maybe we would have to do 3 vials combined? I'll have to ask Dr)

Hey Linda.. and welcome!!

I mainly lurk here now.. but I did IVF last year.. I agree with Stacie.. I think your doc was talking about ICSI.. where they inject your dh's sperm directly into your egg.. and that is probably because of the low count of your Dh's sperm. Do you know if they are abnormally shaped ?? how they swim ??

As for financing.. our insurance didn't pay a single penny either.. so we went with capitol one healthcare.. they have low low interest rates.. we cut back on tons of stuff and saved saved saved.. Its amazing how much you can come up with when you cut back on little things that you don't really need.. My son is worth every single sacrifice..He is worth every tear I cried.. He is worth all the pain of waiting for the 6 years of TTC.. I'd do it all over again 100 times if I had to..


Good Luck.. Hope you get some answers!!

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