2nd IVF cycle - BFN 😞

[Emska77]

So today was OTD and as the title says - it was a BFN.

This whole cycle was completely different than the first. Last time I had loads of eggs and did get a BFP (sadly didn’t stick) from a day 3 Transfer of a nice 8 cell embryo. This time only had 4 eggs fertilise out of 7 collected. 2 eventually made it to 5 days blasts but not top quality. Both transferred.

I want to at least do one more cycle with my own eggs. The nurses all say how each cycle can be totally different from the next as well. So I am just hoping it’s 3rd time lucky.

Plus at just turned 42 this month I feel like I’m running out of time.

Any pearls of wisdom, health tips, or happy stories gratefully accepted at this time.

Love to you all on this journey.

Xxx

[CJones40]

I don’t have any advice, but I just wanted to say how sorry I am that you’ve had a BFN! 😔 give yourself some time and I wish you all the best wherever your journey takes you next!! Xx

[Emska77 in reply to CJones40]

Thank you for your message. I see you were successful first time with IVF. Congratulations xx

[CJones40 in reply to Emska77]

Thank you. 🤞 that it carries on ok. I know the next few weeks will be really hard for you but I really hope you are able to pick yourself up and get back on the rollercoaster! Xx

[WaltzingWonder]

Really sorry Emska77 - it's hard to find a positive after a gruelling cycle and then a BFN.

No proper advice really because I don't think I really know what I'm doing, but have had three failed cycles so feel like I'm getting some sad miles in! I let myself be a miserable toad for a few weeks or as I feel like it and get lots of cuddles from hubby during all that. We always plan something nice to do too. Sometimes a posh meal or the theatre or just a Sunday walk and lunch but during that time IVF/baby talk is banned. We even had a ban for two weeks at Christmas. It's hard but actually really helpful because I think this whole thing swallows you sometimes. I'm also lucky that I was able to take up a very diverting hobby a year into TTC - ballroom dancing. You can't think about anything else when you're in the middle of a room trying to follow some steps. So maybe just making sure the other areas of your life are stimulating/happy may just give you a little respite.

Really hope your third round is successful. Keep us posted x

[Emska77 in reply to WaltzingWonder]

Thank you so much. We have been for a few meals and also to the Cinema. Just trying to distract our selves. Had a couple of drinks in the local today which was nice, especially as the sun is shining and the sky is blue. We are both going to enjoy our summer and get fit.

We will try again within the next 6 months. We won’t give up. Good luck to you too xxx

[Hope76]

Oh am so sorry, I especially feel your pain as am 43 and recently went through a cycle only to get 1 egg. It wasn’t deemed good quality enough to transfer 😕 at 42 got 5 eggs and at 39 got 8 eggs. I discovered each cycle they had me on different brands of FSH drugs & I queried this at my recent follow up. They had me on Menopur this time, next time we are allowed to choose gonal f which gave me my 8 eggs. Granted I was a lot younger and rather than the choice of FSH drug it may be I only have limited supply and quality left ( this is what my clinic think) but I have to know for my own peace of mind.

Did you try Ubiquinol or DHEA supplements ? I took both after reading up about how the can help quality of eggs in older women. I have to say I don’t know if I would next time am scared they had a detrimental affect on my results. My clinic will not support the use of them due to lack of evidence.

Have you thought about when you will try again? We can start as soon as May but I feel want break but not too long as obviously time is not on my side x

[Emska77 in reply to Hope76]

Thanks for your thoughts. I have tried Ubiquinol at 100mg a day, I might get it again and increase the dose? I also tried DHEA, and like you I am a bit concerned that the effects could affect treatment response. I also feel a lot of ovary twinges when taking it, which tells me it’s doing something but is equally a bit unsettling! I’ve just ordered proceive max as heard good things about it. Going to go for it health and fitness wise for the next few months then we will try agin. I get the need for a break, we have had over a year between cycles 1 & 2 but I have this need to crack on now so to speak. Good luck to you xxx

[Hope76 in reply to Emska77]

I took 2 x 200 mg Ubiquinol daily for 3 months ( some say 600mg is required) so was holding on to the hope that the one egg we had was going to turn into a top quality embryo. Sadly not the case. Am thinking giving these supplements a miss this time it’s so hard to know what to do for the best. But am doing my head in wondering if taking DHEA 75mg made a difference and gave me my worst results yet. Of course I probably just didn’t respond as well to the Menopur which is most likely.

Yep am back on the health kick as my BMI is 28 if I shift 2 stone I will know did everything I could as I reckon this will Defo be our last shot as 3rd fresh cycle private now x

[Lou7744]

Hi there, I’m so sorry to read this, had everything crossed 🤞 for you getting a positive result.

Sending big hugs 💕 xx

[Emska77 in reply to Lou7744]

Thank you. It doesn’t get any easier does it? Hope your doing OK too xxx

[Hidden]

Hi

I am new to this joined today, I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear your news. Also share my experience of ivf cycles and how different they can be.

I am 42 1st fresh cycle got 8 eggs 6 injected 3 fertilised 2 transferred day 5 BFN 3rd embryo didn’t progress enough to freeze

2nd fresh cycle 8 eggs none fertilised (was devastated)

Now on 3rd cycle 13 eggs 11 injected ended up having 5 day 5 embryos 1 transferred 4 frozen. medication dosage increased to max dosage & 2 trigger shots

So all cycles completely different so please don’t think that your next cycle won’t be successful as you never know.

Lots of luck xx

[Emska77]

Wow you really have had a variety! But it’s frustrating isn’t it, that there is just that feeling of gambling with each cycle, never quite knowing what your going to get? Your third cycle seems really promising, especially for having so many 5 day embryos, and great that meant you could freeze some. I really hope you have some golden eggs in there xxx

[Kyell2]

So sorry that you didn’t get good news. Be kind to yourselves until you are up to trying again. It’s a tough journey xx