BFN - ERA advice please

[Core]

So tested today 13dp5dt and BFN, pretty devastated that after 7 transfers we’ve only had 1 BFP and that ended in early miscarriage. The clinic seem to say it’s a numbers game and are happy to keep chucking embryos in but I feel like now something really needs to change. A lot of people have mentioned ERA, has anyone been recommended this with NHS? I am happy to pay for it but would probably have to go elsewhere as my doctor has said no to it. If anyone has had ERA could you please tell me if it worked and you got pregnant or if it was still a fail? Also any ideas for anything else to ask clinic? I’m on heparin, steroids and 2x lubion. Really want a new plan before next transfer.

[Justus1]

I don’t know if it’s worked for us. But I’ve had it for this cycle. On the TWW find out on Thursday. I have no symptoms, so I’m scared it hasn’t worked. But after 6 transfer. I had to try something different this time. I was told we had to have another day on progesterone before the embryos went in. Which is why they were transferred on day 6 rather than 5

[Core in reply to Justus1]

Good luck for OTD tomorrow I really hope it works for you xx

[Justus1 in reply to Core]

Thank you. Not feeling confident at all! Started to have brown spotting today when I wiped, so I feel it’s over. X

[Core in reply to Justus1]

Hope you had a nice surprise today thinking of you xx

[Justus1 in reply to Core]

Still in shock, but confirmed pregnant hun xxx Still along way to go, and progesterone is being checked to see if medication needs to be changed....but for now will just take it one day at a time x

[Core in reply to Justus1]

Fantastic news so so happy for you!!xx

[Justus1 in reply to Core]

Thank you. So scared....! After everything. Please let me know if you want more details about everything I did in this round

[Picalilli99]

No advice or experience regarding ERA I’m afraid - but just wanted to say I’m so sorry it hasn’t worked. BFN after BFN is so bloody tough. I hope you are ok. Sending you a massive hug (and hope you get some good advice off others so you can make a plan for your next steps). Take care lovely xxxx

[Core in reply to Picalilli99]

Thanks lovely hope you’re doing ok xx

[andromedae9]

I did an ERA test before my last cycle and got pregnant that cycle. Unfortunately it ended in an early miscarriage. I am now gearing up to do another cycle hopefully before Christmas. I am on Clexane, steroids and 2 x lubion so similar to you. All my consultant wants to add for this cycle is an endometrial scratch.

[Core in reply to andromedae9]

So sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Good luck with your next cycle? What was the result of your ERA? Did you also do an Emma/Alice test?xx

[andromedae9 in reply to Core]

Thank you xThe ERA test suggested I was pre-receptive so need one more day of progesterone before transfer. Yes, I did all 3 tests. Btw, reading Cinderella's post below I've realised that I'm on 2 x lubion and 2 x 400mg Cyclogest as well so perhaps you could ask to be on a bit more progesterone. For us the ERA was definitely worth doing. I really hope that they can tweak your plan and that your next cycle is the one! xx

[Core in reply to andromedae9]

Thanks I will definitely point out that some people are on more progesterone! Are you with a private clinic or nhs?xx

[andromedae9 in reply to Core]

We are with a private clinic but they might do nhs treatment as well. Can PM you details if you want

[Core in reply to andromedae9]

Yes please xx

[Jols in reply to andromedae9]

Hi there, what is the endometrial scratch for and when is it done in the cycle please? Thanks

[andromedae9 in reply to Jols]

Hello Jols, I haven't done a scratch before but I think it's being done the cycle before the cycle of transfer ideally between day 19 - 25 of the cycle (just read this online). Apparently they scratch the endometrium to disrupt it and supposedly this will increase the chance of implantation. I had an ERA test before the cycle I got pregnant which is carried out in a similar way to an endometrial scratch so my consultant suggested that I'd do a scratch as well.

[Italy300618]

I'm so sorry Core you dont deserve this, so wish it had been a different outcome for you. I have no advice on ERA sorry but you are such trooper, and so strong 🥰 good luck with your next plan, you will get there xx

[Core in reply to Italy300618]

Thank you so much, how are you doing?xx

[Italy300618 in reply to Core]

I'm doing ok thank you, looking forward to making a plan for next steps soon xx

[Kitcat12]

Sorry to see this update 😞 I think you're right to see what else is out there that you could try x

[Core in reply to Kitcat12]

Thanks xx

[Cinderella5]

I'm really sorry Core!! I do think its partly a numbers game but not when we get to the number of transfers we have both had. We did an ERA. However we kind of knew we were on the right path as we managed to get a BFP after messing with progesterone timing. It was actually our clinic's coordinator who has nothing to do with the clinic we had it done and in (different from our treatment clinic) and she wasnt making anything out of it. It was the only thing that we hadnt tried that made sense apart from PGT and I wasnt up for that. The only other thing is heaps of progesterone this time too. I was/an still on 2xlubion plus 2x400mg cyclogest per day. If I had to again I think I would go for POI as although they are expensive it probably works out cheaper than 2xlubion per day. Hugs lovely. Feel free to ask me anything at all!xxx

[Core in reply to Cinderella5]

Thanks, the extra progesterone is interesting my doctor has always said I’m on the highest dose! For some reason I did have an extra dose of progesterone before transfer which would be an extra 12 hours, not sure if this was just me or a change they made for everyone, stupidly I didn’t ask xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to Core]

Maybe they were trying out a theory to see if they could catch your implantation window or something?! Worth an ask to see what their thoughts were and quiz them about having more progesterone as you can defo be on more!xx

[Core in reply to Cinderella5]

Yes I’m wondering that, I like to have things explained but then I get a bit overwhelmed and forget to ask when I should 🤦‍♀️ xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to Core]

Make a list, my hubby used to be embarrassed but I used to go with a notebook and pen and for my clinic abroad I used to list questions that I wanted answers to in an email or have my not pad and pen on a Skype consult.....Im sure the consultants dreaded speaking to me!! Ha ha ha xx

[Core in reply to Cinderella5]

I need to do this I have a list but just don’t always push for answers, I think as we are nhs I just always feel so grateful to even be having treatment I don’t like to be awkward but I need to get over that!xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to Core]

They still have a job to do and are getting paid so dont worry about it!!xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to Core]

We travelled to London to have the ERA done but I think more ans more places are doing it too now.xx

[happilyevershahs in reply to Cinderella5]

Hi Cinderella5 - thanks for sharing your journey. Would you mind PMing me details of where you had the ERA test in London and whether you recommend the clinic you were being treated at? We have had four reasonable quality blasts transferred and no implantation success. Looking at options for some investigative tests. Thank you!

[Cinderella5 in reply to happilyevershahs]

I'll PM you.xxx

[Lisichka]

so sorry to hear that it’s another bfn. I think absolutely try the ERA. We had 4 unsuccessful transfers (blighted ovum, bfn and 2 x chemicals) and with transfer number five we decided to test the fresh lot of embryos and also do an ERA. It came back pre-receptive meaning that I need an extra 24 hours of Progesterone and a lot more of it than originally thought. This last transfer looks like it’s worked, I’m cautiously optimistic (6+2). I’m on 2x PIO injections daily because I wasn’t absorbing pessaries.

Good luck!!

[Core in reply to Lisichka]

Congratulations, hopefully that’s what did it for you. Do you mind me asking if you’re nhs or private?xx

[Lisichka in reply to Core]

All private so I don’t even want to think of how much we spent to date. But first clinic was like yours with that attitude of “this is a numbers game, just bad luck” etc. When we changed clinics it made a big difference

[Hidden]

So sorry to read this lovely. No advice but just to say I am thinking of you xx

[Core in reply to Hidden]

Thank you, how are you?xx

[Skippy1982]

So sorry to read this core, I was really hoping you would get a lucky break this time 😒xxx

[Core in reply to Skippy1982]

Thanks hope you and your little one are doing well xx

[Skippy1982 in reply to Core]

We are good thank you lovely, thinking of you 😞xxx

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely, so sorry to hear about your BFN. It’s hell isn't it. We’re doing an ERA this month because I felt the same and didn’t fancy chucking back more embryos and hoping for the best... I have a sneaking suspicion it’s about the timing for us but I guess we’ll find out. If the timing is fine then maybe we had a duff embryo batch in which case we’ll do a fresh round. So many variables it’s hard to know what to do. Hope you take some time to mend and be kind to yourself. A loss is a loss no matter how early - sending lots of love xx

[Core in reply to Millbanks]

Thanks, good luck with your ERA keep me posted! Are you NHS or private?xx

[Millbanks in reply to Core]

Our NHS Doesn’t do it unfortunately so we’re going private xx

[Core in reply to Millbanks]

Do you still have funding for nhs transfers?xx

[Millbanks in reply to Core]

We’ve got 1 round on the NHS left xx

[Willow1976]

Reading your post resonates with mine...

I had 5 unsuccessful transfers... I was then told about ERA which we did and the result came back as me needing an extra day of progesterone... so because there was something we gave it a go although I had hit 40!

So we did and we had 3 very good embryos... but because I have a history of OHHS I was unable to have a fresh transfer! So the 1st transfer was BFN and then last year we had the 7th transfer which was a BFP (our first) but ended in early miscarriage... our 8th transfer was postponed due to the Pandemic... I find out on Thursday... they gave me an extra day of progesterone... which they changed to cyclogest (OMG 🙈)... I have never felt like what I am now... I am trying not to read too much into it.

We paid privately for the ERA and we had 2... to get a better idea, I can email you where I went but I don’t know how to send a PM.

I don’t know if this helps... I think you try everything, just keeping that hope.... it is hard and I have come to the conclusion it is den to chance... my brothers wife has just had a baby.... DE... 1st attempt.... I am struggling... so you just don’t know.

But wishing you loads of luck xxx

[FrancyItaly]

I can’t advice on ERA, I just wanted to say I am so sorry for the failed cycle, but I know your time will come very soon ✨💕

[Core in reply to FrancyItaly]

Thank you xx

[jengi]

Awh I’m so sorry to hear about your failed cycle. I have no advice to offer. Just to wish you luck as you put your next plan together Xx

[Core in reply to jengi]

Thank you xx

[Hidden]

Sorry to read you’ve had another BFN xx