Failed ICSI follow up. Any advice?

Hi everyone

Back in November, we had our first fresh IVF/ICSI. Unfortunately it failed and this afternoon we have our follow up.

I’ve tried not to look too much at reasons why it didn’t happen for us, as I have found it pretty overwhelming. We were referred for ivf due to my husbands sperm numbers, but they have since been improving. Otherwise we’re both fine and we have 5 frozen. The ivf process went smoothly, apparently it’s just pot luck at implantation.

We’re meeting with our consultant today to discuss next steps, we were advised that it would be an FET. But is there anything I should discuss/ worth bringing up at our appointment. I’m pretty clueless, but I want to be a little informed going in. Your help would be much appreciated. X

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi MISESP. So sorry to hear that your recent cycle failed. However, ask whether it would be beneficial to have Clexane (heparin) to ensure no clotting occurs in the womb lining and promote good blood flow. Low dose prednisolone (steroid) is sometimes prescribed also after a failed attempt, to give the immune system a bit of a boost. Obviously my thoughts Michelle, but worth asking to see what your specialist recommends, as you need to give your stored embryos their best chance. If you have time, you could email me in confidence to [e-mail] and I can send you a couple of lists of questions to go through before your appointment. Most won't be appropriate, but there may be a few you could use. Diane

[Hidden in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you Diane. I have just sent over an email.

[Saya85]

Hi

I would second what Dianne has said but just reading through your previous post that you bled early on tww the same as me and many others make sure you bring up higher progesterone (and possibly oestrogen) support during your tww(!)

Often spotting and bleeding early is a sign of low dose or poor absorbency of progesterone

It's difficult to know which as you havent talked about your meds but Def press for higher progesterone and/or injections

They cateogirclaly told me I wouldn't bleed on my second cycle with cyclogest but I did agaib.now I'm on cyclogest and lubion injections (as well as clexane and aspirin and steroids) and so far no bleeding

Good luck x

[Hidden in reply to Saya85]

Thank you! That’s really interesting and definitely something I will bring up.

I was on the cyclogest pressaries, morning and night. I can’t remember the dosage off the top of my head but I will speak to our consultant about this and see what he advises.

I also wondered if you’d had an FET and how long you were advised to wait to try again?

I saw you’re pupo, Good luck, have everything crossed for you. Xx

[Saya85 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you

I was on cyclogest 2-3 X day last cycle (400mg each tab)

Now I'm on 2 cyclogest and lubion in evenings

It's one of the safest interventions in terms of additional trestments available so I would push to cover all bases.

Also did they continue to give you oestrogen during tww? Apparently some don't but most do as it's seen as helping with lining too (usually it's progynova /evorel patches etc)

Usually they want you to wait 2 cycles before they do fet again. We took a big gap between cycles to do a laparoscopy and control thyroid etc

Have you had thyroid tested? That's one of the commonest reasons for infertility and miscarriage also

Your TSH needs to be below 2.5 (not the normal "4.0") when TTC.

Sometimes however it's a numbers game and often fresh doesn't give us a BFP especially with all the drugs and overstimulation

Hopefully you'll have better luck with your FET.

If your cycle is like clockwork they may do a natural fet rather than medicated - either way make sure your on meds/pessaries post transfer to help support the lining.

Good luck x