Another negative result 😢 next steps?

[besgstan]

Over three stimulated cycles we have just experienced our fourth negative result after embryo transfer. Totally gutted and looking for advice on what to do next.

Our first cycle produced decent numbers of eggs, but most were immature and the ones that did fertilise didn’t develop well. We later learned the trigger had been done too early which was why we had a poor response.

Next cycle, increased drugs from 175 merional to 225. They also put me on fragmin. Had a fresh 5 day transfer, then a frozen.

Most recent cycle we got five blasts. One fresh transfer, and two embryos put back for the frozen transfer. Two left in the freezer and looking to change to a different consultant. I know they can’t always provide answers but at the moment all we get is ‘you haven’t had many transfers - try again’. Nothing is ever discussed - I have had an endometrial scratch once and intralipids for this most recent transfer not on advice or suggestion from the clinics point of view, but because we mentioned it.

Does anyone have any advice or personal experience on what we should be looking for when choosing who / where next? I have endometriosis (which is never mentioned as part of my treatment) which was treated by laparoscopy and all hormone levels and AMH are good.

Just feel like we are on a merry go round xx

[Hidden]

Oh my goodness. I would not be happy with no feedback at all. I do think a lot of clinics just have one way of doing things and they just try and try again. Unfortunately with ivf all we are doing is increasing the chances to more like "normal". Normal people have about 50/50 chance each month so likelihood of success on first try is not 100% or then a reason why not. Most clinics won't suggest further investigation until there are several failures for that reason.

I really hope you find an answer and I am sure you will go on to have a successful pregnancy soon X xx

[besgstan in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. It’s frustrating isn’t it? It’s like hey have a golden number of transfers before they will consider investigating why good quality blasts repeatedly fail. I fee at times like I have to hit that number before they will take our plight seriously xx

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Hidden]

Wow where did you read that “normal” people have a 50/50 chance? I don’t think it’s as high as that- only 1/6 couples get pregnant the first month they try, though 80% will get pregnant within a year. You’re right that through ivf we are trying to just increase our chances though- and only around a third of ivf cycles are successful so there is an element of just keeping going, especially given that your first cycle was so badly managed that it can’t really count.

[besgstan in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

Hi Lizzie, yes I read that the chances per cycle naturally are more like 25%, not 50%.

I had no expectation of it working 1st time, I guess my expectation was a more proactive approach than ‘transfer again’ with no encouragement to do further tests or explore other treatments. In hindsight my first consultation rang alarm bells as they ummd and ah’d over whether to refer me for IVF as despite having Endo my blood work was fine and my tubes where clear. The phrase ‘a lot of this is down to luck’ hmmm seems a rather expensive lottery ticket at times 🙄

I need to find a consultant who fits us xx

[genten]

Aww I'm so sorry.

It's totally rubbish.

That's rather poor that no feedback has been given. I know you probably don't feel like it right now but I would complain about the treatment you've received and why you're not happy and will be looking to change consultant and or clinic.

I'm with NHS and wasn't happy with clinic so I tried to swap to private with NHS funding but it was declined. So annoying and upsetting when we don't get treatment we deserve.

If you do decide to change clninc I'd say have a good look around and get to know people (you'll probably do that anyway), the clinic that I wanted to swap to do tours and you can look around everywhere including labs if available.

Good luck. Xxx

[besgstan in reply to genten]

We tried to swap in between the 2nd cycle (the first that counted as that the initial one was a wash out) and recent one but they wouldn’t allow us. We paid private for the recent transfer as there has been a mistake on their part about our initial blood work and referral. We live on a county borderline. One allows one partner to have children from a prior relationship, the other states neither can. My husband has a child from a previous relationship. We have gotten this far and after I enquired about possibly immunity issues and further tests regarding that, they claimed a mistake was made and my thyroid was never tested. They tested it and then on going in for the result miraculously found that it was tested initially all along they just couldn’t find it.Then, because they sensed I was going to do exactly as you just suggested and complain at the lack of thoroughness regarding blood work, they for the first time seemingly looked at our file properly and discovered we didn’t meet criteria and would have to self fund from this point forward. This is over a year after commencing treatment! Disgusted doesn’t cover it at how little attention has been paid to our blood work and paper work. But considering I was pestering my husband to sack off our last funded cycle anyways as I do not feel cared for there, I guess one positive to come from it is a forced way out of that clinic. Just trying to do our homework and choose wisely now for what we have frozen and any future treatment xx

[genten in reply to besgstan]

So sorry, I though I had replied to this.

So frustrating when there are so many things out of our control.

That's terrible! I can't believe they made mistakes and then told you that you would need to fund the rest of the treatment! That's just not on.

That's all you can do, I'd say forget about that clinic and their lack of care and focus on your future.

Hoping your new clinic treats you well and that you get your bfp. xxx

[Hidden]

Im sorry for your pain.i dont have much advice but i know the frustration of not knowing why it didnt work.all i can say is dont give up ,keep trying .we got successful eventually .sending hugs to you.

[besgstan in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the supportive comment. It helps to know there can be a happy ending through perseverance and I send hugs back to you xxxx

[Hidden]

I’m really sorry for your BFN they’re horrible.

I also have endometriosis so know the struggle of managing endometriosis with infertility = not easy!

When was your last laparoscopy? Was it excised or lazered? Excision is best. Was it done by an endometriosis specialist? I know most aren’t unless severe/complicated involving other organs.

I’ve had 3 laps within the space of 13 months!!! I had a chemical pregnancy after my first laparoscopy , then the endometriosis re grew much more which some drs dismissed & my second laparoscopy by a general gynaecologist. It was all over my rectum as well as uterus ligaments 😳 the gynae couldn’t treat the endo on my rectum , so my fertility doctor referred me to a endometriosis specialist. He did my third laparoscopy in July & cleared me all out of endometriosis! I’m now 5 weeks pregnant. I swear having all of the endometriosis removed has made a huge difference. Luckily for us endo was the only issue.

Other that I’m not sure what to suggest- perhaps a second opinion is needed.

Wishing you the best xoxo

[besgstan in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jess1981. Thanks for your reply. It’s a horrible disease isn’t it. I had my lap in Nov 2016 and was fortunate to have it done by an Endo specialist. He removed my cyst and dealt with the bowel Endo that was found on doing the lap. I was quite lucky to get him really! Initially was under a general Gynae who frightened me with the frequent and too keen mentioning of removing the ovary if the cyst was tricky. Paid to see this fabulous guy who wrote to my GP to request referral to him. Didn’t lose my ovary and it has in fact proven to be my better ovary during IVF. I have had a small cyst return on the same ovary so if it gets any bigger will be looking to have another lap as you have said. Clearing it all out by excision really was the best thing for me. Definitely going to get a second opinion. Have managed to find an ivf guy who is also a bsge Endo specialist so hopefully I can get a better all round approach there. Currently I have felt like they max up my drugs and just treat me as if I am unexplained.

Massive congratulations on your pregnancy success! Seems like you have been on a long journey also but to get where you have gotten is all worth it xxx

[Hidden in reply to besgstan]

Thank you 😘

That sounds like a really good plan 👌🏻how amazing to find a fertility & endo all in one specialist 🙌🏻 I think you are doing the right thing by getting a second opinion.

Endo is really crap! It made it so difficult for us to get pregnant! It took us 5 years & 10 months of TTC to get my endometriosis diagnosis. I don’t know why there is such a delay with diagnosing endometriosis 🤦🏽‍♀️ women health issues are not taken as seriously as they should be 🤦🏽‍♀️ I hope attitudes within the medical profession improve 🤞🏻

It’s definitely worth all the heartache & tears. 💓It’s very nerve wrecking but we are very happy, taking it one day at a time 💓Keep going your time will come . Hold onto hope ✨I’m sure seeing this expert will get you closer to your BFP ❤️❤️❤️ I look forward to hearing your updates xoxo

[besgstan]

Yeah tbh in the north west there is a decent selection of Endo specialists. The problem is the wait times and referrals. Totally agree - getting a diagnosis is a nightmare! They said I had IBS for years and it was only when I came off the pill to try for a family did I get diagnosed as quite quickly the Endo got worse and the scan picked up a big cyst. The new NIICE guidelines in diagnosing and managing Endo are a welcome step in the right direction - my only frustration is that you can only be guaranteed a BSGE specialist referral once diagnosed. I believe quite strongly a specialist in the first place is best places to diagnose and do the initial op. Saves unnecessary repeated laps. But yeah you are prove there is light at the end of the tunnel. Just hope the guy I found today can give us Endo guided fertility treatment and give us a better chance. Wishing you all the best with your little Endo baby xxx