Second Chemical Pregnancy (IVF) in a Row - Any Advice?

[anz07]

Hello everyone,

Brief (or not so brief!) info about me and my journey: I have no known fertility problem at present; I am a gay woman who has just turned 33. I have had two fresh rounds of IVF (first round I had 1 embryo for fresh transfer and nothing to freeze, second round I had 1 embryo for fresh transfer and 3 to freeze thanks to ICSI - apparently there was a problem with our sperm donor and, although the sperm had excellent motility, it did a poor job of binding to my eggs first time around so ICSI did the trick on round 2). I have been told that both the embryos I have had transferred are of good quality and that the 3 I currently have frozen are also good quality. I had a chemical pregnancy in my first round and started bleeding the day before OTD. All very upsetting but we knew that the faint positive we had on OTD was simply going to fade further away; which it eventually did. The consultant put me on more progesterone for cycle #2. Now on to where I'm at now...

My partner and I were so excited to get a BFP on our second round. Although the second line on the pregnancy test wasn't as strong as the control line, it was certainly a lot stronger than our previous transfer had shown and we were convinced that, this time, it had worked. Alas, a week after our BFP, we tested again and the second line had almost completely disappeared. We couldn't believe that we'd had another chemical pregnancy (early miscarriage). I had reached the 5 week mark and had my first scan booked in; we were so excited. We couldn't believe we were experiencing the same problem again and that everything was taken away from us so quickly.

I wanted to know if there was anyone out there that had had a similar experience and could give me some advice? I'm not really sure what to expect in my follow-up consultation...I'm guessing I'll be told to simply try again and that it was bad luck, but two chemical pregnancies in a row makes me fear that something might be wrong.

Any insight or recommendations would mean the world right now. I have tried so hard to do everything right; get plenty of rest, eat the right foods, minimise stress etc...it just seems that the precious second line will never stick around for me. I'm hoping to have my first FET ASAP and am desperately hoping I won't have to wait for months on end.

[Lisichka]

Hello!I’m sorry to hear about the chemicals, they’re the worst!

I’ve had two back to back myself and was equally frustrated. The consultant kept saying it was bad luck but I was unwilling to accept that.

I ended up doing ERA test to make sure the progesterone timing was correct and it showed that I needed an extra day of it. With adjusted timing of progesterone and changing its form from pessaries to intramuscular injections (plus a whole bunch of other stuff), I finally got a bfp that stuck. So I would absolutely recommend doing ERA and I know quite a few other ladies on here have had it done and had game-changing results.

Wishing you all the best, don’t give up xxx

[Nat1302 in reply to Lisichka]

What is ERA? If you don't mind me asking x

[Lisichka in reply to Nat1302]

Have a read of the description here igenomix.com/our-services/e... a test to determine your endometrium receptivity at the time of transfer

[Zebedee1971]

Whenever I see repeated chemicals, I always suggest getting your nk cells checked. I have high level of nk cells which means my body attacks embryos at implantation stage. I'm currently 8 weeks pregnant after following a protocol set by my miscarriage specialist. I'd still say 2 is not too concerning... It is common to have 1 or 2 chemicals so this might just be a matter of chromosomal abnormalities... However, you obviously have a gut feeling about this. My gut feeling was that my body was rejecting the embryos. Ivf doctors rolled their eyes, but then I got my nk cells tested and I was proved right. Its not cheap, something like £2000 just for the initial tests, but it has worked for me. I know I got lucky finding an answer to my infertility. Would be interesting to know though, is there a history of lupus or rheumatoid arthritis or similar immune problems in your family? Have you had your thyroid checked? There seems to be a pattern on here that women with aggressive nk cells seem to be hypothyroid too (your thyroid level should be below 2 for successful pregnancy). X

[Lisichka in reply to Zebedee1971]

That’s good to know re NK cells. I wasn’t tested for them but they put me on prednisone anyway

[Np7776 in reply to Zebedee1971]

Hi Zebedee1971 - what was the treatment for high NK cells ? How long it takes for it get corrected ?

[Zebedee1971 in reply to Np7776]

Treatment is two injections of humira (£200) this calms down the nk cells, then its hydroxychloroquine, two pills a day. Then on day of egg collection, an intralipid infusion (£350). You get hooked up to a drip to have the solution. Then steroids from embryo transfer. Only one that I've had issues with is the humira as it made me come out in a rash, so I couldn't take the second dose. Intralipids are every 4 weeks during successful pregnancy. Steroids stop at 12 weeks. X

[Zebedee1971 in reply to Zebedee1971]

Treatment doesn't correct anything, it just enables you to keep the pregnancy going x

[Np7776 in reply to Zebedee1971]

Thank you !

[Linda84Co]

I’m so sorry to see your post, two chemical is just awful... had one myself, my clinic didn’t give me any reason for it, my pregnancy test showing pregnant now after a FET and I’m really worried that it could happen again... I have no advise but I’ll keep my eye on your post. Good luck dear xx

[fay2399]

I think if embryos are normal then you need to check immunity and infection and uterus evaluation .. hope goes successfully next round xx