Would I have higher chance of sucess with natural cycle IVF

I am 45 years old and just did my first IVF. I had two miscarriages possible due to my thyroid problems -I have thyroid antibodies. I had trombosis in both legs as a result of miscarriage. I have been on a course of six months acupuncture prior to starting IVF. I started IVF in May. My FSH was 7, 5 and estrogen was also very good. After discussion on amount of stimulation my RE agreed to try lower dose. I responded well and developed five good folicules. Four were retrieved and two were fertililised. One reached blasto stage but was abnormal and other did not manage past 8 cells so transfer was canceled. I was also on immunoglobulin injections, aspirin and low dose of cortizone since my aspiration. It seems that my RE did good protocol and perhaps he was keen on blasto because of higher chance of implantation and my problems with thyroid.
I would like to know if natural cycle IVF might produce better quality eggs. I would consider natural cycle IVF if there is possibility to get better eggs. The other reason is that I heard that natural cycle IVF does not have risks of mulitiples.
I am separated and single and I am worried about twins or triplets and complications.

[rene67]

I don't think it matters if you were using fertility drugs or doing it natural, your egg quality is what it is.  At 45 you also have a rather high chance of miscarriage and likely poor quality eggs.  Your FSH looks good so at least your ovarian reserve seems OK, but that doesn't mean your eggs are OK necessarily.

Yes, IVF without med stimulation may have less risk of producing multiples, but I don't think it will improve quality.  With multiple eggs, at least you have a chance that one of them will make it.

Glad you are able to do IVF, I think in the US most clinics won't do after age 43, at least not with your own eggs.  I am 41, have had 3 m/c and am already being counseled about the possibility of using donor eggs, although I am giving it at least one more shot on my own.  

[mysty2001]

Have you considered donor embryos
there are millions out there waiting for mommies!   you can pickthe age of the parents
there is less risk of miscarriage with younger
good luck
I am currently pregnany with donor embies!

[Helen72]

I heard that you get fewer but better quality embryos on a natural cycle.
Good luck to you!

[zansi]

Hi Rene thanks for your comments. Apparently there is a difference between egg quality in natural and stimulated cycles. In the last weeks I did a lot of research and came across several web medical reviews discussing that fact. My RE also confirmed that stimulated cycles get better quantity but quality is compromised while natural cycle produces better quality but quantity is down to only one egg. Few medical papers suggest that natural cycle IVF is better option for woman over 38 because of increased quality of eggs. What relates to this issue is a shift in most Europian countries (and in South Africa) towards one or maximum two eggs transfer which is why natural cycle IVF is gaining popularity.
  

[zansi]

Thanks for your note. I am not considering donor embryos - or perhaps I should correct myself and say - not yet. Also in my clinic there is a waiting period between six months to a year for donors - I don't have that time.
Congratulations for your BFP! Did you get BFP first time doing donor eggs? And did you try with your own and it did not work? My thinking at the moment is that I will try at least another two IVF-s before I would consider donor option.

[zansi]

P.S. In respect of your point on IVF and age limitations I was wandering if clinics in USA are so fussy simply due to financial calculation. If any part or full cost of IVF is covered by insurance than it makes sense why most clinics would not treat older woman as they have less chance of conceiving.  In South Africa fertility treatment is not covered by medical insurance therefore patient has full financial responsibility - bad news for our pocket but it also means that clinics have more flexible approach to age issue and IVF can be an option as long as you can afford it and you have good FSH and estrogen.

[lynda544]

Hi. I am also 26 weeks pregnant after my 1st IVF with donor eggs. I'm 45 and didn't want to risk losing time by trying with my own eggs. I already have 2 biological children so I am fine with the whole donor thing. Insurance would not cover any medical expenses and my fertility MD thought my chances would be much higher with donor eggs. I too was very concerned about multiples so they also placed 2 eggs. Good luck to you a keep trying!

[zansi]

Hi Linda thanks for your post. I am very glad to hear another BFP at 45!  Being pregnant at 45 seem to be possible. I also had few notes from 44 and 45 year old women pregnant with their own eggs. And my RE told me of pt. 46 years old and preganant with her own eggs on natural cycle. So I am still hopeful...My low FSH in combination with better egg quality through natural cycle perhaps will get results. The benefit of using natural cycle IVF is that it does not impact one's body like stimulation so I can do several natural cycles one after another without any break. If in few months I have failed with natural IVFs and  my own eggs I will need to consider donor egg.  I was told that clinics consider even woman up to 50 years old for donor eggs. Thanks for sharing. I wish you easy pregnancy and cute baby! Keep us posted.

[LvnEmbryos]

From a medical standpoint, a natural cycle may not be a very good option for you.  Over the age of 40, we see about 80% of embryos that are chromosomally abnormal, and therefore only have one egg produced in a natural cycle, has a really high chance of being abnormal.  With their own eggs, our success rates in women over 40% withou PGD is not good, to be honest.  They mostly get pregnant but miscarry within the first 12 weeks because if the embryo is abnormal it will usually abort.

We do have insurance mandation in IL but we still do not recommend natural cycle IVF for patients over 40, not because of the insurance but because we know the chances of a success are very very low.

I do wish you luck, but if you are paying out of pocket, I would carefully consider how many cycles you want to do before moving to donor.  Good luck!

[mysty2001]

i have never used my own
I always felt a calling to save the lives just waiting then to create more
I am 42
The first time I got pregnant
next timw no
next time yes
next time no
this time yes

you can get the embryos from anywhere if your clinic has too long of a wait - good luck

[zansi]

Hi, thanks for your opinion.

[zansi]

tThanks for your kindness. I really appreciate.