Tests or another transfer? 4+ success stories anyone?

[Maryc32]

So I have a debrief appointment at clinic tomorrow to discuss what to do next after 3 x single frozen embryo transfer fails ( 1x chemical 2x BFN) The nurse today gave the impression that it would be likely just down to “bad luck”. I’m 33 (32 when embryos were made 10 months ago). Is it normal to have 3 fails in a row with seemingly good embryos? My only known problem is blocked tubes (one removed from ectopic and the other damaged) so I stupidly thought this would be a breeze.

I had it in my head that I MUST have some other issues (I research everything because I’m an idiot and I like to terrify myself) so I had decided I would demand more tests before throwing more money at transfers. But after speaking to nurse I’m not sure. Should I just go again? I’ve four embryos left but obviously lost the “best” 3.

I was wondering if anyone had an personal stories or anecdotal evidence. Is this quite normal and I’m just overreacting because it’s such an emotional thing??

[lablover5658]

I am sorry to hear that you have been through 3 failed cycles. I have had only 1 fresh cycle and it failed. I have 4 frozen embryos. I have been building myself up to do the frozen transfer. I have had advise from two clinics and they just seem to say it is luck. Some people get pregnant with one or two attempts some with the best quality eggs and others with less quality.

This of course does not help the likes of us. I have wanted more test but the clinics just seem to be reluctant saying I am wasting time. They seem to want people to keep trying with any frozen embryos they have. My consultant said that I have a good chance with four, that one should stick. However I just can’t help thinking this is what they say all the time. I know this probably doesn’t help. I just wanted to make you aware your not alone in feeling like this. I would try and get some more answers.

Keep me updated on what you decide. ❤️

[Maryc32 in reply to lablover5658]

Thanks for the reply! I’m sorry you’re also feeling this worry. Yes I understand exactly what you mean. I feel so deflated and frightened now. I’m just thinking 3 failed so easily why should my four left work?

I’ve never had a fresh transfer. My fresh round was cancelled because I got an infection at egg collection and OHSS. Then Covid...so I’ve had three frozen ones since June. Just so sick of bad news all the time!

Good luck to you too let me know how you go xx

[Rainbow_leopard]

It’s really hard to know what to do isn’t it! I’m in the tww of cycle 3 and my consultant also thinks it’s just a matter of time as my embryos are not amazing quality but as I’m 32 too they have a good chance of being euploid. If it wasn’t for covid I’d of had a hysteroscopy done to check my uterus as a friend of mine had bad scarring that didn’t show on scans nor had she had prior surgery. My consultant is adamant this is extremely unlikely but I can’t shake it! She went through 11 transfers and due to the scarring they would never have worked. What has kept me going is my 2nd cycle did end in a bfp but unfortunately it was ectopic. At least now I know ivf can work for us. It just bugs me that I don’t really know what is wrong. I feel like they invented ivf which is obviously amazing but on the flip side they seem to just see it as the only answer. I guess it’s good in one way that our consultants aren’t suggesting more tests as they obviously believe it’s just time. It also doesn’t help that Drs don’t agree on what tests are actually useful. Sigh, it’s such a mind field. Good luck x

[C_C_H]

Hey! Sorry to hear you’ve experienced 3 failed rounds. I just had my 4th failure with good embryos and I have just turned 34. I know my story might not fill you with hope but when I asked my doctor last week if I should start looking into other options he said no way and that we are nowhere near that yet. I have spent quite a bit of money on extra tests yet I’m still not closer to knowing when those rounds failed. As hard as it is, we just have to keep hoping, believe in our bodies and trust the process. Wishing you lots of luck for your next round 🤞

[F_J_762301]

Hi Mary,

I'm in a similar position to you. Never had a fresh transfer, 1 natural fet resulted in mmc, then a further 1 natural and 2 medicated fets all failed. After all that I wanted more answers. I had blood tests for thyroid and thrombophilia (both normal) and me and my partner both had blood test for karyotyping to see if there was any genetic issues (also normal). I was also offered an internal 4D scan of my womb etc which all looked good. We are largely 'unexplained' infertility with no major issues. We have always been given the impression we are unlucky, its a bit frustrating. I decided to have the ERA, Alice & Emma testing. Alice&Emma came back fine, consultant said it was the best result she has ever seen! ERA showed I could do with an extra 12 hours of progesterone, so I will have 1 extra dose on next transfer. Hoping this one small change will make a difference! Definately ask whats available testing wise before using any more embyros. I am nhs and had everything with nhs apart from era/alice/emma which we paid for. With having all these tests and then covid it has set us back 12 months, my last transfer was Oct 19, but I feel its been worth it. Not a success story for me (yet) but I live in hope! Xx

[Savs]

I’ve had 2 ectopics and my tubes removed , 1 failed IVF with none to freeze, 1 successful ICSI (with 4to freeze) then 2 failed FET’s. Got my 3rd and final FET this Friday. Transferring my final 2 embryos. Whatever the outcome I will be stopping after this.

I am feeling positive. Don’t give up. Just set yourself a realistic age/date to stop. I am 40 in March so gave myself this time but it’s different for everyone. Good luck x

[Maryc32]

Good luck to everyone and thank you for the replies. I just feel so down. I’ve got my follow up today so I’m hoping it will make me feel better but who knows xxxxx

[ashbb]

Sorry to read this. Dissapointing for sure. Will be following your story. I fear this happening to me too. 😖. Hope you have a better outcome with the next go. I keep reading about women who have better success with the "not top quality" embryos....

[Maisie234]

Hi, good luck for today. I've had 4 rounds and no luck. The last was donor and the clinic were surprised it didn't work. They want me to have the hysteroscopy (trying to get that on the NHS now) and the immune tests. Thrombophillia and thyroid. I feel sure it's that. I will have to pay for them here as my clinic is abroad. I think failures are either down to either bad luck, lack of progesterone or immune problems, from what I'm reading. Or perhaps like the other reply, scarring in the uterus. I think it's worth pushing for a second opinion before another transfer. Good luck xx

[Lisichka]

Hi Mary

I had 4 failed transfers with great quality embryos. Two of the transfers we put two in. So “wasted” 6 embryos in total. We had a blighted ovum, 1 bfn, 2 x chemicals. The clinic kept saying that it’s bad luck. Like yourself, I was 32 at the time. After all those failures and the emotional toll they took on me, I couldn’t just go and do another transfer and hope that luck would be on my side. So I had lots of tests done - recurring pregnancy loss panel, genetic tests and ERA test (which was very useful as showed that i need one extra day of progesterone). We also did a whole another ivf cycle and genetically tested the embryos to make sure that we’re putting the best one in. I know that PGT-A testing is not for everyone but we wanted to do it. Transfer number 5 worked! The clinic changed my protocol as well to add the extra progesterone plus prednisone and baby aspirin. I don’t know if it was luck this time but I tend to think that not. At the very least I would recommend switching your protocol (maybe adding intralipids, hcg wash etc) but ideally, get the tests done for your peace of mind. Best of luck to you!!! xxx

[Maryc32]

So the clinic said to have some blood tests to check for clotting disorders and proteins in my blood? Plus my partner.

Also having an endo scratch just to give it a bash. So no more transfers till February

Which is sh*t but then if she said go again straight away I would be terrified of more disappointment.

Basically I wasn’t going to be happy unless she said “we actually have a baby here for you now come and collect it” lol so whatever. Hopefully the blood tests will show something that can be corrected xx