IVF consult

The IVF phone consult went well. The RE was nice and very knowledgeable. He didn't have any of my records in front of him so I had to fill him in on all the tests that DH and I have both had done, and where we are as far as treatments. I told him all my tests have come back "normal", and DH's SA's have come back normal with the exception of his morphology which has been borderline (anything less than 30% is below normal - DH's is 29%). This RE seems to think this could be the reason we are not getting pregnant. He wants to give DH a more detailed SA called the Kreuger strict analysis where the sperm is evaluated under a much higher magnification and has a much stricter criteria than a routine SA. We will set up his SA next week and then go from there depending on the results.

He also explained that we will most likely have to do IVF if this cycle doesn't work because we have exhausted all of our other options. He said there are 3 types of IVF:

1. Micro - Uses low cost meds (like Clomid), they cut corners when it comes to technology, and they don't do as much monitoring. Since they don't use many meds, less eggs are produced therefore having a lower chance of any eggs making it to transfer. $5 K not including medication/ 30-40% success rate.
2. Low Stim - Uses injectables (like Follistim), no cutting technology, not as many meds and monitoring as full blown IVF. Again not as many eggs produced as full blown IVF but more than Micro. $6 K not including medication/ 50% success rate. I was told to expect to pay $2K in medication.
3. Full blown IVF - Lots of expensive medication and monitoring. Produces the most amount of eggs so the success rate is the highest of the three options. $ 8-9K not including medication/ 60% success rate. I was told to expect to pay $4K in medication.

This new RE was not in favor of the Micro IVF, which is kind of annoying. Why do they advertise it if they don't think it is a good option?? He thought the low-stim was a better option for us. I am taking this all with a grain of salt because it was just a phone consultation. I am happy to know our options but I am in still in shock over the cost since we are paying 100% out of pocket.

My ultrasound on friday went good. Things are progressing as they should but it is still too early to tell how many follies I will have when we do the IUI. He upped my Follistim dosage from 75 to 125 IU. I have another ultrasound on Monday.

My RE took DH and I into his office after my ultrasound to talk about IVF. He thoroughly explained the process and the different options. He was not keen on Micro IVF either...I kind of have my heart set on that because it is the cheapest option!! Of course he thinks we should do full blown IVF so we have greater chance. I told him that money is the determining factor at this point as much as that sucks. He already gives us a 50% discount on all services so he is going to check and see what kind of deal he can get us for IVF. If he comes through with a cheaper price we will go with him.

I am coming around to the fact that we might have to do IVF but I am going to put that on the back burner and focus on this cycle!!