Several IVFs failed, what next? What to do with poor quality frozen embryos?

[JoannaJoanna]

Hi All,

I am new to the forum, in fact I always read them but didnt have a courage to write myself. However now I feel like I need your lovely ladies advice.

Today I found out my frozen cycle failed where I had 4bb and 4bc blastocysts transfered. (This was my #4 cycle as I had #3 fresh ivf cycles before - unsuccessful too).

Now, I have one graded 3cc frostie left in the Chelsea hospital and one 3cc in the Guys hospital. And as my 1 year storage option is expiring shortly I was prompt by Chelsea lab to make a decision what to do next.

I was thinking instead extending storage for another year it would be better to transfer the embryo from the Chelsea to the Guy’s hospital, so we can use both in one transfer. However I found out there is an enormous cost involved to do so. Import + plus export + storage fee.

As I just failed frozen cycle with relativley good embies I was wondering if does it make sense to even think about keeping the low quality embrio and pay for the service, instead I could focus on another fresh IVF cycle? The finances are quite important as all our savings now are going towards the treatments, we decided we can only afford last more chance, financially and mentally.

What shall I do, does anyone here had 3cc frosties and successful pregnancy? Shall I keep them or go for a fresh ivf. I am 38 years old (no fallopian tubes), the embryo in question is 36.

Please any advice will help.

Joanna

[Kari55]

Hi Joanna, I had some CC embryos and my clinic refuse to freeze them so I’m quite surprised that yours did. I guess there is always a chance even if the embryos are poor quality. It is a tough decision, I’m not sure what to advise. What does your consultant say?

[JoannaJoanna in reply to Kari55]

Hi Kari, thanks for the response, appreciated.

This is what I was thinking. The problem is there is no consultation available, I can only speak to the lab but they also don’t want to give a constructive advice other than they frozen it together with the other ones which failed anyway. So I am not sure what to do as the cost of transferring it and re-storage is £700.

[Kari55 in reply to JoannaJoanna]

Sorry that you have to make this tough decision. I hope that other ladies will have some good advice. Wishing you good luck on your journey x

[vic77]

my clinic says they only freeze embryos that would hopefully make a pregnancy and to try not to get too hung up on grades as if it's frozen it could be your baby. ..what about just transferring one at a time is that an option?we had two frosties left after our 3 fresh bfns then one fet bfn and we hummed and hawed about transferring one or two but settled on one at a time.on 2ww now..hope you reach a decision soon xx

[JoannaJoanna in reply to vic77]

Hi vic77,

You right they are blastocysts and survived to the frizzing stage, I checked with lab today and their stats are saying they have pregnancy form 3CC’s about 18%. It is a very low number but still. I will keep this embryo! Good luck 2ww is the longest ever stay strong x

[sami296]

Hi, i am now 5 mo preg on my 2ndcycle. Agr 39. In your situation, i would do natural fet with the 2 low quality, and inthe meantime and in case its not working do everything possibletoprep for a last fresh cycle, what worked for me to improve my egg quality by being on 3 month coq10 softgel thesctivre ubiquinol form 600 mg twice daily, good luck!

[Jules0277 in reply to sami296]

Wow 600mg twice daily! Did your consultant recommend that dosage? Did you see major improvements to your eggs? I’m trying to improve my egg quality and am taking 400mg per day plus 50mg dhea 😀

[sami296 in reply to Jules0277]

SOrry, i meant 300 mg times two am and pmtotal 600mg a day in two intakes. Yes recommended by consultant.

[sami296 in reply to sami296]

Yes major improvements on the egg, first ec was 7 eggs , no blasts second ec was 14 eggs, 10 fertilized, 5 blasts, 1 pregnancy three frozen

[Jules0277 in reply to sami296]

Sorry for the questions!! Did you also take dhea or anything else? I’m definitely going to up my intake of ubiquinol!! Did you do a short protocol? What dosage of meds were you on? xx

[sami296 in reply to Jules0277]

No dhea, just ubiquinol and a conception multivit. But i ate well, nutritious organic food, slept well etc.., i dont drink smoke etc..,short protocol but dosage was reviewed and adjusted every day after the 1st scan after the doc receivef my blood test results. Private clinic, on top of things, personalized dosage, scan snd bloods every other day.. very expensive that way but worked for me.

[JoannaJoanna in reply to sami296]

Hi Sami

This is an amazing advice, this is exactly what I decided.

I wasn’t aware of the above drugs you mentioned for the eggs quality improvement. Are they available in the UK? No one never mentioned them to me. Instead in this last frozen cycle I was given steroids for the immune system as I am failing on the implantation mainly.

I was considering to use a donor eggs too.

[Tara2016]

Hi Joanna, sorry to hear of your difficulties. Have you considered going abroad as it is much cheaper, and you can afford to pay for things that you perhaps wouldn't be able to afford here? I know of one clinic that are amazing! Obviously can't share details on here but could inbox of you wanted to know more. I would also say it worth giving your remaining embryos a go so you don't have to deal with 'what if'. But appreciate you have to weigh up your situation x

[JoannaJoanna in reply to Tara2016]

Hi Tara, I am considering to go abroad but again where to go and what clinic to choose I don’t know, there are so many when google. I really need advice so please, please share details via email if possible. Everytime I fail IVF I feel like this will neve happen and I will never be a mother. I know I can’t waste time anymore.. thank you

[emmab178]

Is it possible to have both embryos transferred at the different hospitals on the same day?

Say you decided to do a medicated fet. You pay say guys to do whatever it is you need scans meds etc then after et you go over to the other hospital and they do the et with that embryo. This might be cheaper than the transfer fee?

Our clinic only freeze embryos with a good enough grade. Was told I had a medium quality being frozen and the other blast was too small to freeze so it was donated. They didn’t tell me specific grades though.

[JoannaJoanna in reply to emmab178]

Hi Emma, nop this won’t be possible, the only option is to transfer one to another or to do 2 separate FET’s, which will be more expensive. According to the lab the pg rate form 3cc is around 18%. And natural FET is not that bad by the end of the day. Just mentally draining. I was just thinking in my earlier post if there is any point on concentrating on low quality transfer, spending money, and precious time. Or just forget about it and go to the next fresh cycle - which in our case will be the last one.

But we made the decision to keep those frozen too - as you never know...

[Scarlett13]

Good luck with your decision, not sure what to advise though, can you do a fresh cycle and keep the frozen ones for back up later? X

[JoannaJoanna in reply to Scarlett13]

Hi Scarlett,

Yes we’ll made the decision to do that. I will keep fighting I know it’s been long journey but trying to not give up yet. X

[Jules0277]

I personally would use the frozen embryos first before trying another fresh round. It isn’t as expensive and if it doesn’t work will give you time to save a little while longer and prep yourselves mentally for another go.

We’ve done 3 fresh ivf cycles never had anything to freeze and each time after it hasn’t worked it’s left me feeling drained depressed and every other feeling in between. Though after a few months it’s surprising how you bounce back ready for another go! We’re planning our 4th cycle in a couple of months time so am using the months to both take vitamins and eat as healthy as possible. Good luck with whatever you decide. x

[JoannaJoanna]

Hi Jules,

Thanks for the advice, this is exactly what we want to do. By the end of the day they are blastocysts, in the past I had 8 blasts transferred, 2 in each cycle. And still nothing. They were mainly grades 4bb & 4bc or 4cc. We noticed during the years my stimulation response is getting worst and grades are dropping. So it will be silly to not to try to use last blastocysts we have. In my next fresh cycle I am considering to have a donor eggs. Good luck with your next cycle fingers crossed for you. I know exactly about feeling drained. I just find out 2 days ago I failed Fet but I am trying to be positive and already organising everything for the next cycle. I know I need to relax but I know there is no time to waste anymore... xx

[Hidden]

Hi Joanna, I’m reading your post now and interested to know the outcome as I’m in a similar situation and trying to decide on transferring poor quality embryos. I hope things have worked out for you 😊