Injectables and multiples

[nyteacher]

Can anyone tell me about their experiences with injectable fertility meds. I just began Gonal-F. I am nervous because my chances of twins went from 10% on clomid to 20% on these new meds. I have possible PCOS, which is why we moved on to injectables and didn't respond to clomid. I am also taking metformin to help. Is anyone is a similar situation. I would like to know if you got pregnant on them, how long it took, and did you have multiples or a singleton?

I would love your support, stories, and feedback!
I like this forum b/c my mom and confidant died 2 years ago and she was a nurse. And I felt like I had no one to talk to about this stuff.

[goldfinches]

I've never done a cycle like you're talking about, didn't get the chance before moving on to more invasive cycles. But, I've walked through this with a friend. I believe that as long as you have an ethical RE who closely monitors you, high order multiples are not very likely. Twins, yes. My friend produced about 3 eggs each month on these meds, IMHO, that's a scary number. I would say 2 are better, but I'm also very conservative, not wanting multiples. Discuss this with your RE and see what # he likes to see.

[Julia'sMom]

Due to my PCOS, the RE took me directly from clomid (which I didn't respond to) into IVF (which resulted in my current twin pregnancy). He was too nervous about higher-order multiples with injectibles. I also think he wanted to bump up his success rate in a shorter amount of time and wish we had at least tried one cycle before moving on.

REgardless, I concur with goldfinches. So long as you're monitored, there are ways to reduce your risk. I know they mentioned using a half-dose trigger, timing the iui a bit later, just using intercourse vs. iui, or recommending intercourse the day before an iui, to decrease the sperm count for the iui. If there are still too many folliles, you can always cancel the cycle and try agan.

I have a friend with pcos who went the injectible route and it has worked twice for her (both singletons). I know it took patience as she had several cycles that were cancelled since they didn't want the risk.

Good luck!

[Sasha299]

The way to avoid multiples with IUI is to do a low very low dose and not proceed if there are more than 1 or 2 lead follicles.

[nyteacher]

Thank you for your responses. It gives me soemthing to think about. My RE does monitor me very well. I do think they will do the IUI uo to 3 lead follicles because the chances of them all getting fertilized is slim. I have to decide myself if I am willing to take that chance.

Unfortunatly, this cycle doing clomid and injectables in the same cycle worked against me, so no IUI this cycle, no good follies. I am starting a new cycle as soon as AF comes. In the meantime, I will think about how I feel about 1,2, or 3 lead follicles before I am in the situation.