over 40- IVF

[luci330]

From the reading I've done, it seems like the IVF success rate for women over 40 is low.  I just finished Lupron and I'm starting the stimulation phase.  Can anyone over 40 share some success with IVF?

[MGS1969]

I'm 40 and I just finished my first cycle of ivf.  I'm 6 weeks pregnant, so it can definitely work!  It all depends on the quality of your eggs (and the sperm).  

Jen - it's comforting to read that you had no symptoms.  I've been very worried because I don't have any symptoms, not even sore bbs.  I have my first u/s tomorrow, and I'm pretty nervous about it.  Everything I've been reading talks about sore and growing bbs, food aversions, nausea.  The only symptom I suppose I have is peeing a lot, but I've also been drinking a lot more water.  I guess I will know more tomorrow.

I have a friend that went through ivf 5 times, she got pregnant twice, the first she miscarried.  Now she has a beautiful 1 1/2 year old boy - she's 44.  I would think if the RE didn't think you were a good candidate, they would have said as much.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Michelle

[40smama]

About the symptoms - when I did get pregnant w/donor eggs, I didnt' experience any real symptoms untiul the 7-8th week.  I was so convinced I wasn't pregnant that when I took a hpt the night before the beta, I was caught completely by surprise.

Probably the biggest thing I noticed during the tww, I had some craps on days 2-3, some bloating later on and then nothing - not even sore bbs.

Hope this helps - good luck!!! - jen

[40smama]

Luci - You're right - the stats are grim - I did no research when I was contemplating my 1st IVF cycle.  If I had, I probably would've rethought the whole thing but I was 43 at the time - there's a difference between women who are 40 and ones that are 42+ in terms of fertility.

My re gave us no stats, odds, nada.  Like I said, chances are we wouldn't have even tried and gone for donor eggs (that's what I ended up doing on the 2nd cycle).  But there is a 43 year old woman who was going through IVF during my cycle - she got pregnant w/triplets and delivered healthy twins.  She beat the odds so it can be done.

I don't want to sound so negative - it's just what I've found when i too did the research.  Good luc w/your cycle - remember, you can beat the odds - it only takes one egg to make a healthy embryo that implants.