Update: out of 5 injected, 3 have fertilised 😅 I’ll take that, especially over last time! Still only at the beginning stages but it’s such a relief as we changed so much this time - my protocol, surgical sperm retrieval... it was a bit of an experiment so waiting for that phone call was torture. I hate this part, but going to try and relax for today at least. Xx
Finally made it to our third cycle of IVF trying for #2 and had egg collection today. Pleased that hurdle is over but I’m just finding I can’t shake this negative feeling. They collected 7 eggs which is comparable to previous rounds, but having been so close to complete fertilisation failure last time (only one out of 5 eggs injected actually fertilised) I just can’t help but think this time tomorrow it could all be over, with nothing to transfer next week.
We’ve done surgical sperm retrieval this time due to my husband’s high DNA fragmentation (hoping it might help with his antisperm antibodies too), but I can’t shake the feeling it could so easily happen again as we really don’t know why it happened and I’m worried it’s that I’m that bit older now. Also fertilisation is lower with surgically retrieved sperm. It’s like the day of reckoning on whether or not it’s worth continuing if this fails. We decided we’d look at sperm donation next but if it turns out I’m part of the problem now too I don’t know if it’s worth investing more time, money and emotional energy. It’s so so hard playing the waiting game when so much hangs in the balance. I honestly think after facing the gruelling and relentless struggle of IVF anything else in life is a walk in the park! Xx