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 didnāt 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 canāt always provide answers but at the moment all we get is āyou havenāt had many transfers - try againā. 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
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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
Thanks. Itās frustrating isnāt it? Itās 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
Wow where did you read that ānormalā people have a 50/50 chance? I donāt think itās as high as that- only 1/6 couples get pregnant the first month they try, though 80% will get pregnant within a year. Youāre 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 canāt really count.
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 ātransfer againā with no encouragement to do further tests or explore other treatments. In hindsight my first consultation rang alarm bells as they ummd and ahād over whether to refer me for IVF as despite having Endo my blood work was fine and my tubes where clear. The phrase āa lot of this is down to luckā hmmm seems a rather expensive lottery ticket at times š
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.
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 wouldnāt 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 couldnāt 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 didnāt meet criteria and would have to self fund from this point forward. This is over a year after commencing treatment! Disgusted doesnāt 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
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
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.
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
Iām really sorry for your BFN theyāre 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 arenāt unless severe/complicated involving other organs.
Iāve 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 š³ the gynae couldnāt 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! Iām 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 Iām not sure what to suggest- perhaps a second opinion is needed.
Hi Jess1981. Thanks for your reply. Itās a horrible disease isnāt 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. Didnāt 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
That sounds like a really good plan šš»how amazing to find a fertility & endo all in one specialist šš» 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 donāt know why there is such a delay with diagnosing endometriosis š¤¦š½āāļø women health issues are not taken as seriously as they should be š¤¦š½āāļø I hope attitudes within the medical profession improve š¤š»
Itās definitely worth all the heartache & tears. šItās very nerve wrecking but we are very happy, taking it one day at a time šKeep going your time will come . Hold onto hope āØIām sure seeing this expert will get you closer to your BFP ā¤ļøā¤ļøā¤ļø I look forward to hearing your updates xoxo
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
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