"unexplained" and IVF

[surfkat]

DH and I conceived naturally in May of 07. We had been trying for at least 1 year before May, and then kind of put it on the "back burner" since there had been a sudden death in my family. I got pg when it was the last thing on my mind. I then m/c 10 weeks later with a D and C. We have been unable to conceive after many rounds of fertility treatments. So we are now on to IVF round #1 in July. DH and I are concerned since all my cycles and labs are textbook perfect and we still have not conceived. So does that mean that IVF will not be successful either? It is a huge risk in so many ways. I do not know how you all feel but somehow knowing what is wrong is better than not knowing and having the dx of "unexplained". Any advise? Suggestions or personal experience with this?

[lrorrio]

I am in exactly the same situation as you. I am currently in the 2WW of my last cycle of injectibles/IUI. All my labs, HSG, sonohystogram etc all come back normal but no preg. I had 1 chemical preg. My BETA is scheduled for next Wednesday and if another BFN I will go right into my first IVF cycle. This month my RE added progesterone into this cycle because my luteal phase was a little short. I am hoping that it is going to do the trick.

Just wanted to let you know I know completely how you feel.

[barcelona]

I love what my RE says, " If we suck enough blood, we will eventually find a problem." I was completely unexplained, make sure you are getting your hematological work-up, after that, consider immune testing.

[longing4baby1]

Hi,
But while waiting for appointment 1 at the IVF clinic and a sonohysterogram #2 not to mention I have already had a laproscopy too... and always the results are no endo, no problem, we don't know why you haven't conceived... All the cycle monitoring was driving me insain.....I need to find doctor who care and want to find out what is wrong with me because I know there is no such thing as unexplained. I discovered two things the Creighton Model FertilityCare system http://www.creightonmodel.com/ for more info got training and started charting in April. Found a doctor trained in this tracking system and NaProTechnology and got the first appointment a couple of weeks ago. She looked at my chart and said that there is a problem and that she needs to do lots of blood work almost daily for one complete menstrual cycle and ultrasound day 3 and day 9 to ovulation plus my chart to see exactly what the defiencies are. The defiencies can be progesterone, vitamins, estrogen, LH, what ever there is that effects the natural cycle. I finally feel like someone cares and is listening and trying to find an explaination.

ART method: I don't know why your not pregnant and giving me clomid, femara, HCG, IUI's. I was beginning to feel like a guinea pig. Let's try this if it doesn't work there is always ivf.

Well ,I found the above and now I am going to try that for a while and hope that they find a solution and at least with this method I feel like I have control instead of not knowing. The doctor was great and very knowledgeable. I am beginning to like this approach it looks good and promising.

Longing4baby

Originally Posted by surfkat

DH and I conceived naturally in May of 07. We had been trying for at least 1 year before May, and then kind of put it on the "back burner" since there had been a sudden death in my family. I got pg when it was the last thing on my mind. I then m/c 10 weeks later with a D and C. We have been unable to conceive after many rounds of fertility treatments. So we are now on to IVF round #1 in July. DH and I are concerned since all my cycles and labs are textbook perfect and we still have not conceived. So does that mean that IVF will not be successful either? It is a huge risk in so many ways. I do not know how you all feel but somehow knowing what is wrong is better than not knowing and having the dx of "unexplained". Any advise? Suggestions or personal experience with this?

[barcelona]

Longing-

What state are you in? I did try to go the Creighton route, but I could not find doctors who practiced it who lived by me. I know there is that dr. in Nebraska, but I had to get trained first for their version of charting. I explained to them that I had several months of charting using a technique by an Australian couple, but it was like jumping through hoops. Anyways, I hear very good things about the model. I did eventually find a good doc who was interested in finding the CAUSE. (Like searching for a needle in the haystack) Women can be taken for a ride if they are not careful. Anyways, I am on a boatload of supplements to help me.

My RE believes working hand in hand with hematology and really thinking outside of the box. We got an RI involved to help and we are so close!

I would not go for high-tech until we diagnosed EVERYTHING. I wanted every test imaginable done before I would even consider it. I'm doing G.I.F.T (IVF alternative) on Monday. Keep me in your prayers. Good luck!!

B

[longing4baby1]

Originally Posted by barcelona

Longing-

What state are you in? I did try to go the Creighton route, but I could not find doctors who practiced it who lived by me. I know there is that dr. in Nebraska, but I had to get trained first for their version of charting. I explained to them that I had several months of charting using a technique by an Australian couple, but it was like jumping through hoops. Anyways, I hear very good things about the model. I did eventually find a good doc who was interested in finding the CAUSE. (Like searching for a needle in the haystack) Women can be taken for a ride if they are not careful. Anyways, I am on a boatload of supplements to help me.

My RE believes working hand in hand with hematology and really thinking outside of the box. We got an RI involved to help and we are so close!

I would not go for high-tech until we diagnosed EVERYTHING. I wanted every test imaginable done before I would even consider it. I'm doing G.I.F.T (IVF alternative) on Monday. Keep me in your prayers. Good luck!!

B

Hello, Barcellona

Yes, I will keep you in my prayers and Good luck I hope it works for you.

I don't live in the U.S., I live in Toronto, Canada and here we have only 2 doctors working with the system. Yes, I would say it is very beneficial to learn the system and it doesn't take very long approximately 2-3 cycles of charting. You would probably learn it quicker and the best thing is it's a system that is standardized and can be used for life regardless of the outcome. In other words it helps the doctors trained in this to detect anything that may be wrong with the women's reproductive system before it gets any worse. That is what really appealed to me and the fact that I am in charge, in control and know exactly what is going on on any given day in my cycle. It reminds me of a book by Toni Weschler "Take Charge of Your Fertility" I want to read it. But, I think what I have found is better that is standard charting with medical assistance to help me find the underlying CAUSE.

Well, pray for me too and hope that this works because it's been 4 long years and 8 long months and no baby and no CAUSE. I started to learn how to chart with a practitioner her in Toronto since April. I hope it pays off.

Pray for me,
longing4baby1

[barcelona]

Longing....

Billings Ovulation Method was what I was taught. Moved onto "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." It's an excellent resource. It's very much like the Creighton Model- from what I know of that model.

Another book, that I found helpful was "Is Your Body Baby Friendly-Unexplained Infertilty Explained." This is where the answers came together for me.
I got on the right supplements and I feel so different.

I wanted to try a multi-disciplinary approach, got knows how much research and advocacy you have to do on your own behalf.

[longing4baby1]

Originally Posted by barcelona

Longing....

Billings Ovulation Method was what I was taught. Moved onto "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." It's an excellent resource. It's very much like the Creighton Model- from what I know of that model.

Another book, that I found helpful was "Is Your Body Baby Friendly-Unexplained Infertilty Explained." This is where the answers came together for me.
I got on the right supplements and I feel so different.

I wanted to try a multi-disciplinary approach, got knows how much research and advocacy you have to do on your own behalf.

Hi,

Well, I don't see the point of charting in I an not an RE and don't understand fully what the chart is telling me. I have been doing BBT for a long time and non of my Infertility specialist ever wanted to look at it. I am beginning to think they don't care what is wrong...they don't care about the underling cause they just care about doing IUI's and IVF. That's it. Lining their own pockets and taking us all for idiots and fools about our reproductive health.
They what us to think that what our cycles do are not important when through this system I am beginning to believe that my charts are telling me something what I don't know is what but I know I will very soon....i.e by the end of August.

Well, I've learned an awfull lot in these few month's of charting. And I know that my doctor is interested and looked at it and ordered blood work, follicular cycle monitoring for one cycle and took a photocopy at the first appointment. She said the chart + the blood work + the ultrasound will all help diagnose the CAUSE of my IF. Well, I feel like I am on the right track and at the same time I am learning alot more about my body than I would ever learn had I gone to IVF.

Let's pray this works,
longing4baby1

Here is more info sites about NaPro Technology that I found.

http://catholicipod.stblogs.com/napr...mily-planning/
Where Dr. Hiligers talks about some treatments he uses.

http://www.creightonmodel.com/

http://www.naprotechnology.com/

http://www.popepaulvi.com/

[longing4baby1]

Originally Posted by barcelona

Longing....

Billings Ovulation Method was what I was taught. Moved onto "Taking Charge of Your Fertility." It's an excellent resource. It's very much like the Creighton Model- from what I know of that model.

Another book, that I found helpful was "Is Your Body Baby Friendly-Unexplained Infertilty Explained." This is where the answers came together for me.
I got on the right supplements and I feel so different.

I wanted to try a multi-disciplinary approach, got knows how much research and advocacy you have to do on your own behalf.

Hi,

Yes, The Creighton FertilityCare Model is based on Billings except that the Creighton Model has the medical research and assistance behind it and Billings does not. Also the Creighton Model is used to treat infertility with the assistance of a medical team and Billings is not. This is my understanding so don't quote me.

longing4baby1

[barcelona]

YES!!! I totally know what your saying! Women can easily be taken for a ride and have to advocate for themselves to find the CAUSE, if that's what they really want.

One of my family members is a recent med school graduate says, drs. are not trained like the old days to look for an underlying problem, usually it's "here's some meds" and "sorry it didn't work."

I brought my charts with to my first RE and he looked at me like I was from a different planet. He would even look at them. He said my eggs were bad and left me with no hope. It was awful. He used my emotions to make me feel like we were lost without him.

Fortunately, a good friend of mine who was also struggling (8 years and has a happy ending that just turned one.) said to me, "if the first thing he does is put you on medicine without doing necessary tests, run!!!" So, I headed for the hills.

Interesting enough, I get a call from this guys office, saying how much they miss me...blah, blah,blah, you mean my money!!

Excellent websites! Thanks for posting them! It's nice to find someone who feels the same way!