After my recent cancelled cycle where I didn’t respond to the drugs because of my very low AMH of 2, I’ve been told today I don’t qualify for another round of IVF (at least on the NHS) and have only a very small chance of ever conceiving naturally. I’m beyond devastated but also saw this coming deep down. Just wondered if anyone’s had success after being told this news, naturally or otherwise. I’m only 35 and don’t feel I can give up yet, but equally if there’s really no chance my husband and I need to start getting our heads around adoption I think.
Sending lots of luck and positive vibes to everyone on here xx
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Purplecat1984
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Oh I’m so sorry, I can only imagine how disappointed, frustrated and anguished you much feel. I think although you and your husband need to take some time and decide where to go next. Adoption is clearly one very viable option for you both. I hope you are able to get some clarity soon.
I've had a previous cancelled cycle due to poor response and then went on in my last cycle to a really good quality embryo to transfer, although this has just ended in a negative result. But please don't think one cancelled cycle means your next one wont work. My amh is 5.6 and I'm a private patient as we aren't entitled to nhs funding where I live. Lots of ivf clinics abroad are more affordable. Lots of supplements you can try as well to boost chances.
Thanks so much for your reply. I’m so glad to hear you had a good cycle after the first one and wish you all the best for the next one. I think today the doctor made it sound so final which is why I’m so distraught. I mustn’t forget about all the lovely success stories there are on here though. I will get a consultation with a private clinic I think when the dust has settled. Thanks again and lots of luck to you xxx
Thank you so much for giving me hope. I’ll pick myself back up again and look into private options. And fingers and toes crossed that it’s third time lucky for you xxx
Thank you , I think you'll be surprised when you speak to private clinics. Women conceive with lower amh than you, it just takes a few goes to get right. Good luck Xx
I’m so sorry you’ve received such devastating news and you’ll need some time to process what this means for you and your partner, as well as what your options might be. I know your head might not be right in this headspace at the moment but you can also consider donor conception, either with eggs or an embryo, as an alternative. There’s a big donor conception community out there if it is something you wanted to find out more information on. The DefiningMum IG accounts for example is really helpful and would at least give you insight into that possibility, as well as adoption if that’s also something you’re considering.
I can’t imagine how hard it is to be faced with someone’s opinion that you may never have the chance to conceive, but that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the line. You can always seek a second opinion but also exploring other routes to parenthood
might help you process all of the sadness you’re clearly having to deal with.
I wish you all the luck in the world whatever path you decide to go down x
Thank you for such a lovely message. I’ve only had the news a few hours and it’s still so fresh and raw. I won’t give up yet and will explore the other options. I hope everything is going ok for you xxx
So sorry to hear your news. If it helps here’s my story. We hadn’t tried for a baby, but I went for tests to see how things were. I had an Amh of 3.5 and was told I wouldn’t conceive naturally and that it would be tricky to have ivf. But I found a clinic that would treat women with low amh, changed my diet etc... and the week I was going for my first ivf appointment I found out I was pregnant. My little boy is now 19 months and an absolute joy. I know I’m really super lucky, but where there’s an egg there is hope. And if it doesn’t work there are other options to having your own little family. Wishing you so much luck! X
Hi, I’ve also got an amh of 2 (actually it then dropped below 2 but I don’t know the actual number as I couldn’t face hearing it!). We had 4 failed rounds where I was a poor responder every time (from all 4 rounds we only once got an embryo to transfer). We were told that we had a very low chance of success using my own eggs & so we decided to go down the egg donor route. However, very surprisingly, we then got pregnant naturally on my next cycle after the last failed round. I’m lying next to my baby right now while she sleeps in her cot. So it CAN happen. I hope that this gives you a bit of hope while you look into all of your options. Wishing you the best of luck! X
Thank you, this does give me hope, what a lovely story! I’m sure my AMH must be lower than 2 by now and like you, not sure I want to know any more than that. So glad all turned out well for you. I won’t give up hope yet xxx
Hi. I am 39 and had an AMH of 0.94 (1 ovary) more than 1 year ago. I did not have a very specific diagnosis, but one of the embriologists said my tube might be too long and far from the ovary. Given this and the sperm results of my partner, she estimated that I could become pregnant naturally in 8-9 years We took vitamins and did 1 round of IVF. Had 5 follicles (not a very big number), 5 eggs and got 2 5-day blastocyst. Transferred 1 and I am now 28 weeks pregnant. Should have done ICSI and PGS (due to some issues and age), but as the number of follicles was not big, we did regular IVF. Luckily, all seems fine.
A friend of mine is 40, tried 3 IUI, 1 IVF with 2 transfers (5 blastocyst in total) and got pregnant naturally afterwards (while preparing for 2nd round of IVF).
These are wonderful stories, than you so much for taking the time to reply. So pleased for your happy endings and I won’t give up yet. Thanks again! xxx
Did the NHS offer to help you with using donor eggs? I know its not for everyone but its may be worth considering and it does give you the chance to carry your baby. My AMH was a bit higher at 7.19 when I was 38 on the NHS and I didnt fare that well doing treatment ( I got enough eggs but they felt my egg quality wasnt good due to the fact we only got 1 or 2 blastocysts on each cycle) but they did say I could perhaps try DE - only gave me a 5% chance of success to carry on with my own. We used our NHS go with my OE and have since moved onto using DE abroad as its a bit cheaper for us. Its a really tough situation to be in, hugs.xx
Thank you for your reply. Yes the doctor did mention donor eggs and we’ll go back for a consultation on this. We’ll definitely give it some thought. Wishing you all the luck possible for your next cycles xxx
Don’t totally give up hope - I am a couple of years older than you and have an AMH of 1.6 and had a conception naturally (unfortunately ended in miscarriage) and then managed an IVF cycle and got a BFP on our first round (but again ended in miscarriage). Our IVF cycle we managed 5 eggs, 4 fertilised and 3 made it blastocyst day 5 with pretty good grades - 5AB, 4AA and 3BB (the consultant couldn’t quite believe the results based on my stats, age etc. - there was genuine shock on his face at transfer). (Fingers crossed the next FET works and sticks!)
So it can happen with an almost non-existent AMH and age not completely on side. I really hope it does for you and that is sticks x
Thank you so much. I really hope your next FET sticks. It’s brilliant how things like this happen despite the apparent odds. I guess the doctors have to be black and white with what they say at times but we can always strive to prove them wrong! Best of luck with everything and thanks again for taking the time to reply xxx
To be honest, our consultant has always been very positive despite the stats. Granted we are paying privately so perhaps a vested interest in keeping us going!
May be worth speaking to another consultant at least and get a second opinion on protocol etc.
I did the long protocol, our consultant was quite quick to recommend this given my levels etc as she said gives them better control to manage the cycle. I have nothing to compare it with but everything she set out at the start is how it worked.
I did acupuncture throughout the cycle (once a week but additional pre egg collection and post transfer). I started the acupuncture months before the cycle too.
That’s so good your consultant has been so positive. We’re going to go private next and I think positivity goes a long way. I kind of think we were prepped for it not to work and i was always expecting it not to, which maybe in itself didn’t help. I did long protocol too but it didn’t seem to work for me. Now wondering about short protocols and mild IVF? But maybe they’re no good with a low AMH. I’ll definitely look into getting some acupuncture. Thank you!xx
My AMH is 1.9 and I’m on my second cycle privately. While the NHS might be brutal, given your age private would be happy to help. It’s quality over quantity - there is so much you can do to affect your odds. I’d highly recommend It Starts With The Egg by Rebecca Fett to work on lifestyle changes.
Thanks Stacie. I definitely think going private is the next step for us now. I’ve read that book and tried to do a lot of the things it suggests. Have you taken DHEA? My NHS doctor advised against it because of potential side effects and apparently not enough evidence to say it helps, but I’m thinking it’s worth a shot. How are you getting on? Best of luck with everything xx
Sorry, for the egg sucky post. I’ve taken DHEA for 2.5 months before this cycle. My clinic weren’t massively enthusiastic about it as they say they are “traditional”, but they agreed I could take 25mg if I had monthly blood tests. I don’t think I’ve taken it for long enough or enough of it though as I didn’t see any improvement this cycle to the last. Just had ET today, so feeling pretty good thanks. Good luck with whatever you decide next xxxx
That’s great you’ve had your ET today. Hope it went well and best of luck with the next steps! And thanks again for your post xx
Hi Purplecat , I am sorry you had a cancelled cycle. it is frustrating that the NHS in different clinics have different attitudes towards AMH. And that it's a funding deal-breaker. What kind of follicle numbers did you have at a baseline scan? I was told it was possible I wouldn't respond with 0.8 AMH even though I had few follicles showing on each side. I was put on Menopor 450 and they got 5 mature eggs. I took Q10 and had weekly acupuncture for sometime before and during. I don't know if that helped . Mild IVF wasn't going to be sensible for us because we have male factor too. My friend had very low AMH only got one egg I think and it failed first cycle, then switched to a different drug on a private cycle and had much better response. There are so so many drugs for them to pick from!!! We are all so different, there's options good luck! X
Thanks for your reply xx I had tiny follicles at baseline, not many at all. That’s great you got five mature eggs I’m taking Ubiquinol but haven’t done acupuncture and will definitely consider that. Does mild IVF not work with male factor then? I don’t know too much about it really. That’s great your friend had better luck the next time. Wishing you loads of luck too xx
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This does give me some hope, thank you again xxx
We took vitamins and did 1 round of IVF. Had 5 follicles (not a very big number), 5 eggs and got 2 5-day blastocyst. Transferred 1 and I am now 28 weeks pregnant. Should have done ICSI and PGS (due to some issues and age), but as the number of follicles was not big, we did regular IVF. Luckily, all seems fine.
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