Follow up consultation - really bad!

[Starsoutside]

So just had our follow up consultation and we were basically told that we should not do any more IVF/ICSI with our own eggs and sperm as there would be little chance of it working. Basically during the last cycle they could see my eggs were really poor quality and fragmented and also the sperm didn't bind properly during ICSI. Suggested if we still wanted treatment maybe to consider IUI which surprised me- essentially it would be much less costly and invasive but with similarly low odds of success. I had been worried we would be told something like this but it was so stark. Feeling numb at the moment.

We had decided to see a urologist and a fertility nutritionist before the meeting and I think we will still do that but not sure what to do after that yet. My head is all over the place and I think we need counselling before we make any further decisions.

[Hidden]

If it was me, I would change clinics.

I have just read the below book - she did 5 cycles of IVF and four of those cycles she got nothing to transfer.

Then, she did another cycle and got two PGS tested normal embryos...as my doctor says, it is a numbers game.

I hope her story gives you hope xx

brett-russo.com/

[Starsoutside in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for taking time to reply Starfish and for the recommendation.

I didn’t mean to sound like I was complaining about my clinic as I am really happy with them after a previous clinic was awful. This clinic gave me loads of information including from the lab and explained why they were not recommending more ICSI. If we want to we can go ahead with ICSI and they will do it they just don’t think it will be worth the money and emotional and physical effort. It wouldn’t be ethical if they just took money to do procedures when they don’t think the chances are good.

We are still deciding what we will do next

Hope you are ok and take care xx

[Hidden]

Sorry to hear you were given such news. Ive been there too, just 2 months ago. I had my 4th cycle with no embroys to transfer. Doctor said it was an egg quality issue and he wouldnt advice doing another cycle. Ive been to 3 clinics, so the issue sometimes is not the advice given by clinics. Tbh I had got to the point where it was taking a toll on my body so we decided to go through the donor route. I found out I was pregnant naturally 2 weeks ago. However we are still carrying on with donor process as I have a history with miscarriages. Just this morning we found out they collected 16 eggs from her. Have you and your husband considered donor sperm or eggs? Take some time to think about your next steps but I wish you so much luck.

[Starsoutside in reply to Hidden]

Wow Lex congrats on the natural pregnancy and fingers crossed it continues without any issues. Congrats also on the number of eggs collected - that is great. So much good news in your post even though you had such bad news two months ago. I really wish you so much good luck with both things.

The whole process does really take its toll- I really am not sure what is normal for me anymore after all the drugs and supplements!

My partner and I have discussed donor eggs and sperm but we think that we will go the adoption route instead if we give up on our own. Still early days though so more discussions to be had

xx

[Hidden in reply to Starsoutside]

Thank you, one step at a time.

The process does take its toll, sometimes we just never know when to stop. You have to do what is best for you and your partner, even if its more rounds.

I wish you well with the adoption process. Whatever your decision it will be right for you two. Keep in touch. X