Switching Donors??? Advice, please

Julie_MA · 08-14-2006, 08:41 AM

Hi, I just got a bfn for diui #3 (no children yet). I'm just wondering your opinions on switching donors. I've used the last of the vials that I purchased originally (hoping that it would be enough for one and then possibly siblings--HA!!).

Anyway, we REALLY liked our donor's profile, it was just a really nice fit medically, genetically, education wise etc. and we even really liked his open response answers.
We have gotten great counts too (we use 2 vial ea. time per/RE's protocol)!
Diui #1 32 million 100% motility (post wash)
Diui #2 28 million 93% motility (post wash)
Diui #3 24 million 100% motility (post wash)

Everytime we meet w/the RE he suggests that we switch donors and others on this and other bbs have suggested it too. The thing is we took a LOOOOONG time to decide on a donor the first time and now I'm trying to figure out if I should try another donor or do more researching about testing for myself. I think that something may be up with me although, my testing has always come back normal. I just don't see how we can have good quality sperm and no success after 3 tries. Also quickly running out of patience and Ins. coverage. WWYD?? Switch or try again with a donor you really liked?

Any input or stories would be greatly appreciated!!

TIA
Julie

cs1984cs · 08-14-2006, 02:29 PM

Wow, that's difficult decision to make; I don't envy you. I know how hard it is to find a donor.

Personally, I trust my RE and would tend to go with what he has to say after he has heard ALL my concerns and discussed all the other options with me and DH; I would make a face to face appointment to hash it all over and have questions ready. The RE is the one that understands the whole medical picture best, your age factor, the cost factor, etc.

When I sat down with my RE for the first time, I asked him what the shortest route to a child would be after we did all the testing. It was a hard answer to swallow, but I feel saner now.

CS

Elann · 08-15-2006, 08:32 AM

I did switch after 4 BFNs and I got pg on the first try with my beautiful daughter from a new donor. So I am all for it!

50/50 · 08-15-2006, 03:56 PM

My RE also suggested we switch donors, so we did and it was still the same result.. BFN.

mmi · 08-16-2006, 05:00 PM

They say normal healthy couples can take 6-12 months to conceive naturally..... so if you are not doing medicated cycles... I would say that it is too soon to switch. I would suggest adding clomid, midcycle ultrasound and hcg shot to improve timing. If you go another couple cycles without success, then I would switch. good luck and hang in there..... It took us 15 medicated cycles(including IVF;'s) to finally get our miracle... never give up on your dream. wishign you a quick success.

Danasingle · 08-18-2006, 11:29 PM

Hi!

My first DIUI Dr. (was not a RE), said that some couples are not as fertile 'compatible' as would be desired. It is not an option (at least I HOPE not!

) to switch sperm providers when using BMS to conceive, but it is an option when using donor sperm.

I have 'known' several cyber buddies who had quick success when changing donors. It may have been coincidence too. No guarantees when playing infertility roulette.

Good luck with your decision.

Dana Single and Family (through DIUI's)

maria2 · 08-20-2006, 09:22 PM

In your place, if the donor has successfully helped anyone else get pg, I would probably stick with the same donor bec. you like him and it can be so hard to choose a donor. All I can tell you is my experience:

We had SUCH a hard time choosing a donor that we just stuck with our first pick, bought seven vials and just kept plugging away w/ clomid and opks until we became pg on the 5th cycle. We went a very low tech route for two reasons - had a terrible, haunting ICSI experience (resulting in miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy) and we lived in a small town, our doctors were friends of ours, and the stress of treatment 90 miles away again felt like too much. Medically, it wouldn't have been a bad idea to go more high tech but I just couldn't take it, honestly.

The second time around we used the last of our vials of that donor, didn't get pg, then had to choose a new donor. Wow that was a very very hard decision - we even skipped a cycle bec. we couldn't find anyone that felt right. I never felt totally comfortable with our next choice, and he was unproven, so after four attempts with that donor, we went to a new donor and became pg right away. However, I also had a hsg at the beginning of that last cycle, as well as an hcg (is that the right acronym?) shot to trigger ovulation. (Goes to show also that mmi usually has the best advice for technical matters like this!)
Good luck to you! Let us know what you decide.
-maria2
mom to david, 4.5, and katie, almost 2! via diui and my eggs

08-14-2006, 08:41 AM	#1 (permalink)
Julie_MA Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 255	Switching Donors??? Advice, please Hi, I just got a bfn for diui #3 (no children yet). I'm just wondering your opinions on switching donors. I've used the last of the vials that I purchased originally (hoping that it would be enough for one and then possibly siblings--HA!!). Anyway, we REALLY liked our donor's profile, it was just a really nice fit medically, genetically, education wise etc. and we even really liked his open response answers. We have gotten great counts too (we use 2 vial ea. time per/RE's protocol)! Diui #1 32 million 100% motility (post wash) Diui #2 28 million 93% motility (post wash) Diui #3 24 million 100% motility (post wash) Everytime we meet w/the RE he suggests that we switch donors and others on this and other bbs have suggested it too. The thing is we took a LOOOOONG time to decide on a donor the first time and now I'm trying to figure out if I should try another donor or do more researching about testing for myself. I think that something may be up with me although, my testing has always come back normal. I just don't see how we can have good quality sperm and no success after 3 tries. Also quickly running out of patience and Ins. coverage. WWYD?? Switch or try again with a donor you really liked? Any input or stories would be greatly appreciated!! TIA Julie

08-16-2006, 05:00 PM	#5 (permalink)
mmi 5000-9999 post king of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 6,471	They say normal healthy couples can take 6-12 months to conceive naturally..... so if you are not doing medicated cycles... I would say that it is too soon to switch. I would suggest adding clomid, midcycle ultrasound and hcg shot to improve timing. If you go another couple cycles without success, then I would switch. good luck and hang in there..... It took us 15 medicated cycles(including IVF;'s) to finally get our miracle... never give up on your dream. wishign you a quick success. __________________ 3 years and 15 medicated cycles(clomid, injections, iui's, ivf's, fet, you name it) and 2 angels before finally getting princess 1 (1999) 2 injection cycles for princess 2(2002) Truly miracles! "Life isn't measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."

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08-14-2006, 02:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
cs1984cs Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 2,198	Wow, that's difficult decision to make; I don't envy you. I know how hard it is to find a donor. Personally, I trust my RE and would tend to go with what he has to say after he has heard ALL my concerns and discussed all the other options with me and DH; I would make a face to face appointment to hash it all over and have questions ready. The RE is the one that understands the whole medical picture best, your age factor, the cost factor, etc. When I sat down with my RE for the first time, I asked him what the shortest route to a child would be after we did all the testing. It was a hard answer to swallow, but I feel saner now. CS

08-15-2006, 08:32 AM	#3 (permalink)
Elann 400-499 post 6 of hearts Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 411	I did switch after 4 BFNs and I got pg on the first try with my beautiful daughter from a new donor. So I am all for it!

08-15-2006, 03:56 PM	#4 (permalink)
50/50 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,927 Blog Entries: 18	My RE also suggested we switch donors, so we did and it was still the same result.. BFN.

08-18-2006, 11:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Danasingle 5000-9999 post king of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Western Canada Posts: 8,324	Hi! My first DIUI Dr. (was not a RE), said that some couples are not as fertile 'compatible' as would be desired. It is not an option (at least I HOPE not! ) to switch sperm providers when using BMS to conceive, but it is an option when using donor sperm. I have 'known' several cyber buddies who had quick success when changing donors. It may have been coincidence too. No guarantees when playing infertility roulette. Good luck with your decision. Dana Single and Family (through DIUI's)

08-20-2006, 09:22 PM	#7 (permalink)
maria2 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Oregon Posts: 477	In your place, if the donor has successfully helped anyone else get pg, I would probably stick with the same donor bec. you like him and it can be so hard to choose a donor. All I can tell you is my experience: We had SUCH a hard time choosing a donor that we just stuck with our first pick, bought seven vials and just kept plugging away w/ clomid and opks until we became pg on the 5th cycle. We went a very low tech route for two reasons - had a terrible, haunting ICSI experience (resulting in miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy) and we lived in a small town, our doctors were friends of ours, and the stress of treatment 90 miles away again felt like too much. Medically, it wouldn't have been a bad idea to go more high tech but I just couldn't take it, honestly. The second time around we used the last of our vials of that donor, didn't get pg, then had to choose a new donor. Wow that was a very very hard decision - we even skipped a cycle bec. we couldn't find anyone that felt right. I never felt totally comfortable with our next choice, and he was unproven, so after four attempts with that donor, we went to a new donor and became pg right away. However, I also had a hsg at the beginning of that last cycle, as well as an hcg (is that the right acronym?) shot to trigger ovulation. (Goes to show also that mmi usually has the best advice for technical matters like this!) Good luck to you! Let us know what you decide. -maria2 mom to david, 4.5, and katie, almost 2! via diui and my eggs