Still Hoping...either "natural" or adoption

My knowledge is from my limited experiences. But here's what I experienced and know:

1. When we were looking into international adoption, the agencies we investigated all needed assurances from us that we were done ttc ourselves. The one agency especially wouldn't work with us at all if we were still pursuing IF treatment. So that's just a consideration. I have read and heard that the emotions involved in adoption can be just as much a roller coaster and intense as going through IF treatment. Your heart is just as invested in adoption as it is in IF treatment, which makes sense because the goal is the same: having a child. So that's just something to bear in mind, especially if you want to continue ttc while going through the adoption process. I don't know that it would be a concern for an agency if you suspended ttc while adopting and then went back to ttc later on. (How would they even know?)

2. In my case, my dx started initially with hypothyroid, which we controlled. Then it was endometriosis. But my dx. didn't end there. When we started iui's, we thought it was the endo. IUI's didn't work, so we moved to ivf . . . without going into my long story, there were additional dx's that came about through doing the ivf. It may be absolutely correct that ttc naturally for the next year or so is a reasonable approach. But I also know my RE looked at my first IVF cycle as a diagnostic procedure as much as a ttc attempt. It let him and the embryologist see how successful dh's sperm were at penetrating eggs, etc. So there is that quality to especially the first ivf cycle. (And of course, we all hope there is only need for ONE ivf cycle.)

3. You don't need to hurry a decision right now. I know there's that urge to make a plan and move forward--I've bt, dt too, believe me. But as a "vet" of these IF wars, I'd suggest getting a second opinion from another RE if that's possible for you. Not that you don't stick with your first RE--but just for reassurance. A fresh pair of eyes on your chart can maybe see some other possibilities, or else give you the reassurance that your RE is on the mark with her recommendations.

Keep on thinking--you're doing lots of that, and I know you'll come up with the plans that work best for you and your husband.