GIFT? (gamete intrafallopian transfer)

[MrsMad]

Ladies,

Having recently just failed our first IVF cycle we have been discouraged about trying another cycle. I was doing some research on what IVF coverage California offers and found that the GIFT procedure is covered by law.

I was wondering if anyone had heard of this procedure and what your thoughts are. My husband would have to have a TESE to retrieve sperm but if the GIFT is covered it would save us thousands of dollars. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. I am still in the beginning of my research on the subject!

Cal. Insurance Code § 10119.6 (1989) requires insurers to offer coverage of infertility treatments, except in vitro fertilization. Infertility, in this case, may be a result of a medical condition or may refer to the inability to carry a pregnancy to term during a one-year or more period of time. Infertility treatment refers to diagnosis, diagnostic tests, medication, surgery and gamete intrafallopian transfer.


Thanks!!

[TheGoodLife]

No experience with GIFT, but I wanted to say that I think it's awesome that it's covered in CA!

Also, I think GIFT involves a Laparoscopy, right? Isn't that how they transfer the eggs and sperm into your fallopian tubes? I have had a Lap (an exploratory one), so I can comment on that part. And I don't want to be Debbie Downer, but it was a difficult recovery. Nothing like an Egg Retrieval. I was not prepared for how difficult it was going to be. You read about people having Laps all the time and I never knew how painful it was and how long the recovery can be (about a week). I spent the night in the hospital, and was completely laid up for about 4-5 days afterwards. Totally back to normal was a good 7-10 days. I am sure every doc does it different, but they used this clamp around my belly button; it was quite painful and it left a scar. I have several small scars around my belly button from the clamp. I had two small incisions. One was through my belly button (which you can't really see), and another in my c-section incision scar. I already had a scar there, so no big deal. But if you don't already have a c/s scar, you'll have a bit of a scar there (mine is about an inch long).

I know my case probably isn't typical. But I think it's better to go into something expecting the worst, instead of thinking: "Oh this will be a breeze" and being sorely mistaken.

Hopefully some other ladies here who have had Laps can give you their perspective. I know some ladies breeze through them. I was not one of them. I assumed that I would be, based on everything I had heard.

[nurdobb]

I had an exploratory lap with hysteroscopy, but it wasn't too bad for me. I mean, I had to take Percocet afterwards, but it did control the pain. It is more painful than an egg retrieval though. I think the only reason it wasn't too bad for me was because they didn't do anything once they were inside. They just looked around and cauterized a little bit of mild endometriosis that they found. The doctor initially thought I had blocked tubes and was going to open them up, but found they were both already open. It did take about a week before I was able to go back to work.

[InfantryWife627]

I had a lap about a month ago. recovery from the lap itself wasnt too bad. all my scars are almost completely healed. and I had 4 1" incisions...

It was the inside part that killed me (removing my tubes). So i would imagine that GIFT wouldnt be TOO bad. Good luck in whatever you decide!!

[IVFmama]

I hate to tell you this, but GIFT won't work with surgically retrieved sperm. They don't know how to swim, so they won't be able to penetrate the egg without ICSI. And with GIFT, they put the sperm and eggs back in the FT and let them fertilize on their own. It is rarely done any more, and usually only for people who have a religious objection to IVF. This way, conception takes place inside the body, so is less objectionable to some.

[MrsMad]

Thanks IVFmama! We have decided to end our journey. I have two amazing stepsons and I will be a grandma some day! Just going to focus on finishing law school and living a good life. It is so very hard to let go of my dream but I now know it's time. I wish you all luck and success on your journey!!

[IVFmama]

Hugs! It's not an easy decision. Best wishes to you!

[TheGoodLife]

Thanks IVFmama! We have decided to end our journey. I have two amazing stepsons and I will be a grandma some day! Just going to focus on finishing law school and living a good life. It is so very hard to let go of my dream but I now know it's time. I wish you all luck and success on your journey!!

No words. Just hugs.