Hi guys, I’m hoping some of you can help me figure out what to do next? Just had our 3rd round of ICSI fail. Before we have our follow up at the clinic I thought I’d see what your thoughts are.
So far investigations have only shown low morphology (0-4%) and average dna fragmentation. We’ve got good AMH and clear tubes, womb etc but I am 38 nearly 39.
1st round was mild stimms - 3 eggs all mature and fertilised, only 1 made it early blast by day 5, BFN.
2nd round changed drugs and upped the dosage - 11 eggs, 6 suitable for ICSI, 2 fertilised, 1 average quality day 5 blastocyst, BFN.
3rd round changed clinic and drugs, did dual trigger and extra day of stimms - 18 eggs, 10 suitable for ICSI, 7 fertilised, on day 5 we had 1 top quality and 1 early blast transferred, tested yesterday and got a faint positive but its fading and I’m cramping and spotting so pretty sure my body is trying to tell me to let go. We’ve never got any frosties from any round so it’s back to the beginning, again 😩
I can’t help feeling something is really wrong with either our eggs or sperm (or both) as we’re struggling to make decent quality embryos. But I am happy to keep going with our own gametes for at least another round if the clinic thinks it’s ok.
What do you guys think we should do next? Any tests we should look at? Anyone have any experiences struggling to make good quality embryos, what did you do in the end?
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Shirazlover2013
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Hey hun. I can't really give any advise regarding tests and investigations. Just wanted to say sorry and hope they find why is this happening and next time you get your miracle! Sending lots of love an hugs your way 💗💗💗💗💗xxx
Hi, you might have seen a reply from me before to one of the other girls that I think I improved my egg quality. We only got a grade 2 (day 3) on our first but on our second we got to blastocyst
I think it was the ubiquinol and vitamin d cause I didn’t take this the first time. Both you and your partner can take them but check with your clinic first they are happy for you to have them with your meds.
Hi 3005, thanks for the tips! I had a scroll through your posts and I’m taking a similar cocktail of supplements to you, cheers to the daily pill and powder popping!! I’m not sure how many more supplements to add in before it gets a little silly 🤷♀️ I’ve avoided DHEA as I’m on the poly cystic spectrum though. I’m sorry to hear about your recent BFN too. It’s so shitty. How are you doing? Xx
I have a successful icsi child and when I was going through it did a lot of research. It could be worth asking your consultant about ph levels in your womb as it might be that they aren't surviving because something is too strong up there if that makes sense. I also read a lot of mums to be putting natural yogurt up there to nutrilaise the area before transfer day but not sure how true that was.
Spotting is a sign of implantation and so is cramping so I wouldn’t say it’s not worked because of that either.
I’d not heard about ph levels so that’s something I need to look into, thanks! Unfortunately this 3rd cycle did end up failing again. So back to the start we go, seeing my consultant tomorrow for follow up!
Hi, I would ask for a meeting with the head embryologist to assess your file. To understand if there is any pattern in your embryos not making it to day 5. My consultant recommended this at my last appointment as the development may give some indication as to whether it’s an egg or sperm issue. I have just finished my third round, I’m currently pregnant but if this doesn’t go to plan this is my next step before deciding on more treatment. Whatever you do good luck and I hope you get some answers. Xx
Hey, I was the same age as you when I started ivf. My AMH wasnt too bad for my at 7.19. My OH has a very low sperm count. We were averaging around 6 to 9 mature eggs that fertilised with ICSI. We got 1 or 2 blastocysts per cycle but most embryos were struggling past day 3. DHEA helped a bit. We got told it was likely due to my age and egg quality which is never great to hear. I ask if sperm was an issue and they said no. I asked honestly what was my chances of this working and the consultant said around 5%....gulp. knew it would be low but not that low. We loved onto egg quality which was a hard decision and not for everyone but we got 6 top quality blastocysts so yes it was my eggs and not my husband. Ask the clinic honestly what they believe the problem to be at review. We havent had success yet and of course there are no guarantees but we have a much better shot now. Good luck.xx
Thanks Cinderella5 for your reply, I have been following your posts over the last few months wondering if I would follow you down the donor route at some point actually. I will steel myself for some brutal truths as I ask these questions 😬
How are you getting on? Are you going to go for another transfer soon? I really hope you get a sticky one soon!!
I think asking for the brutal truth helps in some ways to move forward. They may not tell you the same things as me but I think its best to know what their thoughts are to make the right move forward for yourselves. I am doing ok thanks, Im just waiting to do an FET. Hopefully not too long now, we had to wait 3 months before being allowed to go again but getting there.....patience is not my strong point! Ha ha ha Good luck.xx
Hey! I've just come across your post and I'm in a similar situation - just wondering if you managed to have success in round 4? 🤞 I realise this is two years old and you're unlikely to reply to me! 😂
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