Brigitte,
The 3-day FSH test is a simple blood test, taken on the 3rd day of your
cycle. Your regular GP *may* be able to draw the blood and send it to a
lab
to run, or send you to the lab with the appropriate lap slip. But, they
may
not have the appropriate lab codes or know how to bill your insurance
correctly, since these aren't tests they normally run. Your OB/GYN 2
hours
away may also be able to send you the appropriate lab slip to have the
test
done closer to you, and they would at least be familiar with the
appropriate
codes. That all being said, you really need to see a RE -- reproductive
endocrinologist. Someone who specializes in getting people pregnant,
especially difficult or complicated cases, such as yours is likely to be.
An OB specializes in seeing already pregnant patients.
You have a few obvious issues not in your favor:
1. You are 47, and your FISH is likely going to be high. It can be
difficult to conceive with a high FSH level.
2. You've had your tubes tied. Even if your reversal is successful, you
have an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
3. If you do conceive, your chances of having a baby with a chromosomal
anomaly are increased, due to your age, and the age of your eggs.
4. Miscarriages in older women are common, whether from chromosomal
anomalies or uterine lining issues that can come along with perimenopause.
If you really want to increase your chances of conceiving, you should
probably do IVF. If you really want to increase your chances of
conceiving
a healthy baby, you should probably do donor egg IVF. Both of these
options
increase your chances to conceive, but don't guarantee conception, or a
baby. IVF can cost around $10+k per cycle, and donor egg, double that,
and
it's not uncommon for it to take multiple cycles to conceive. That means
it
could cost you anywhere from $10k to $50+k and up, and it's still possible
that you wouldn't end up with a baby at the end of it all.
If you have the money to spend on IVF or DEIVF, I'd seriously urge you to
consider adoption instead. You are guaranteed to have a baby via
adoption,
and you won't have to worry about old eggs, ectopics, miscarriages, or
money
lost on negative cycles. We adopted two newborns via open adoption in the
US. Our first cost $12,500 and our second cost around $18k, including all
agency and birthmother expenses. That was after spending considerable
amounts of money for the 5 years before that, doing IVF, DEIVF, and having
9
miscarriages and losses. And I was 30 when we started. I'm now the proud
Mama to an almost 3 year old and a 14.5 month old, and I couldn't be
happier.
I know it may not have been what you wanted to hear, but I think that your
chances of success, if success is defined as bringing another child into
your family, and not just getting pregnant, are greatly increased if you
really take a cold hard look at your situation, logically and rationally,
and not just emotionally. If you weigh the pros and cons, costs, risks
and
benefits, etc as honestly as you can. If your goal is to bring another
child into your family, then you really have to consider all your options.
If you goal is to get pregnant, then you still have to face the fact that
if
you really wanted to be pregnant, then as you said, you should seriously
considered doing something about it 7 years ago, at the very least.
Unfortunately we can't all ttc when it's most physically optimal, so when
we
are ready to build our family, we have to see what cards we have left in
our
hand and play the best hand we can.
Best of luck to you, with whatever you decide.
--
Jamie
Earth Angels:
Taylor Marlys, 1/3/03 -- Little Miss Director, who says, "No Mama, you
have
to do it THIS way!"
Addison Grace, 9/30/04 -- My Little Communicator, who, when asked if she
was
ready to take a nap, shook her head no and said in Baby Signs, "Night
night
all done, downstairs."
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