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We've decided on a clinic (I think)!

The new doc was nice, personable, and spent over an hour with me. I went in with a list of questions and he answered each one with thoroughness.  The previous DE IVF clinic we visited suggested that I have a hysteroscopy before moving forward.  He said this was standard procedure for DE IVF.  The new clinic (I'll call them clinic B), said a saline sonohistogram was fine and the hysteroscopy would only be used if something was found on the previous test.  I will admit to being a bit confused because if the hysteroscopy is the gold standard - then why not just use that?  Well, it's about $5,000 to start with and while it does give more details - it's more for a procedures (like removing things) then just looking for things.  Well, that makes sense.  I drilled down on him about this for 30 minutes.  If I'm going to spend all this money on donor eggs, I want to make sure that they have a nice comfy pad to grow.

Next steps: a semen analysis for my husband, annual pap for me, a couple counseling session on donor eggs, and a saline sonohistogram for me.  Then once we get the all clear - we pick a donor.  I have several profiles saved from a few different agencies and I will admit to having a favorite - but I want to make sure the uterus is all good before we move forward.  I can't imagine there is a problem because I had an HSG 2 years ago and in the meantime I've had a million ultrasounds - but I just never know with my uterus.  I need that peace of mind before moving forward.

I also talked at length about immunology with the new doc.  He said (and I agree) that diminished ovarian reserve is the most likely reason that I'm not getting pregnant.  And yes, last cycle we made blasts but that doesn't mean they were normal.  In fact, they probably weren't.  And then he said what I really needed to hear - "I agree with you that it is time to move on.  You gave it a good shot, but the best thing you can do to have a take home baby is use donor eggs."  Wow, I cannot tell you how much better that made me feel.  I needed someone to say that to me.

He didn't discount the immunology, but he said it's too early to tell if it is factor for me.  I don't know about this because I obviously have some immune issues (Hashimoto's and high-ish ANA), but so do lots of people who get pregnant with no issues.  For now, I have to go with my gut.  Prematurely old eggs is what I think the issue has been all along.  So, we'll get some young whippersnapper eggs and see what happens.

I wanted to say a special thank you to Brave IVF Girl for her help with the donor process.  She really helped me figure out where to start and the next steps.

I'm feeling good overall.  When I hear a pregnancy announcement, I don't immediately feel dread.  I feel like this might really happen for us too.  Fingers crossed!