3rd transfer or more tests (immune etc.) - grateful of any advice..

[KT02]

After never conceiving naturally, I have had two chemical pregnancies following my first two transfers. One fresh and one frozen. I have less good quality embryos left and just at a bit of a crossroads. We can go ahead with a frozen cycle this coming month and just give it one more time (they have suggested a double transfer because of the quality of the second one) but I'm wondering whether to stall now and do some extra tests like NK cells or ERA etc. I guess I'm aware that clinics can't do much for immune issues at the moment anyway (and this transfer would be nhs so they can't do any add ons anyway unless we transferred to private) and so I'm not sure if it's worth doing all these tests right now. I wonder if anyone has had a positive outcome after previous chemicals or whether extra treatments were needed. I also wondered about a more alternative clinic for something like medicinal mushrooms or herbs but I don't know much about any of this and it slows things down so much. Thank you so much for any thoughts shared

[LSandJ]

Hi KT, we are I'm a similar ish boat. We've had 2 failed implantations rather than 2 chemicals. It's been a tough decision as doctors seem to recommend different things! One told us about all the possible tests after the first failure, but the most recent consultant we saw said she wouldn't have recommended any yet and that you should at least try again.

3rd time lucky does seem quite common.

If you can't get any add ons anyway on NHS and you have the option of trying again so soon, I wonder if that's worth trying.

When you say quality of embryos, what do you mean? The visual grading they do as they're developing day 1-6? If they are good enough to freeze they are good enough to make a baby so I wouldn't worry about grading! I've heard lots of ladies use top grades and them fail gut their lower ones work. I think it just takes a few goes for most people, so it doesn't matter so much about the grade.

Is it 2 embryos you have left? And if you had to go again after this transfer would you need to do a full cycle again anyway? Would that need to be private anyway or do you get another try on NHS?

The only test the doc said to us that they would consider useful at this stage was the chromosomal testing of embryos PGTA (and even then she said really she would wait for one more try), but we have 6 embryos and that is why it is an option. If we had a few less she wouldn't recommend it at all and just thinks we should try them!

It is also a bit different for us tho as we are a same sex couple so didn't have the year of trying first. Are there specific reasons why you have gone for ivf that might impact on it?

Overall if you've got 2 left of this go and they are willing to put both in, and you can do it so soon, that seems like a good option! 3rd time lucky!! X

[Hidden]

Hi, I'm in Ireland. I had a blood test done its called a zip test/ chicago blood test. It turned my killer cells were high so basically my body was fighting the embryos, they had no chance. My Dr. put me on steroids and intralipids. They transferred 2 x 5dfet. I only have 1 left. I'm currently 8 weeks pregnant 🤞🏻🤞🏻. I hope this helps . 🥰

[KT02 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks so much, and lovely positive news ☺️. I'm actually from Ireland living in the UK currently but returning later in the year. I was looking into those tests and whether I could get them carried out here.. Did they take long to do? Could I also ask if you just had the nk cells tested in your blood or uterus as well? I didn't think any of the clinics would prescribe steroids currently, or that's what the doctor we spoke with said, so that is so good that they offered you that option! Maybe if you have a test that indicates the need they will consider it

[Hidden in reply to KT02]

Hi, It was just a blood test and the results were back a week later. It was just before Christmas and they went through the dangers of taking steroids and I had to sign that I understood I was at greater risk. I have been cocooning since Jan. though. Hope this helps.🥰

[pineapp1e in reply to Hidden]

Hi there, just to add to this, I am starting my next FET in two weeks time and have been prescribed steroids, so some clinics are definitely still prescribing these. Hope this helps

[Hidden in reply to pineapp1e]

I wish you the very best of luck for your fet. I did tww meditations and affirmations everyday (anyone at all on YouTube) and I found them great, I was much calmer and positive this time around. 🥰🥰

[KT02 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. I think I'll need that kind of thing after previous chemicals its hard not to be super anxious or expecting the worst. This wasn't your first transfer I'm guessing? X

[Hidden in reply to KT02]

I've had 5 miscarriages. No not my first transfer but my first successful one so far, fingers crossed. We had four Embryos. Only one little guy left in the freezer. This is our last shot. Really hoping this works and we can give him a sibling too. This time round everything was totally different, my Dr. Decided on a natural transfer. The only meds I was on was steroids , aspirin and crinone gel twice daily . No estrogen, no injections. Had intralipids to help implantation because of my killer cells. This is the first time I truly relaxed and tried my best to trust and believe in the process. My mindset was very different this time. I never tested early either, just kept believing. I think that had a lot to do with it too 🤷🏼‍♀️. I was always stressing previously,searching for signs, counting the days.....total stresspot 😃.

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely, Your post struck a chord with me because I have also never conceived naturally and wondered the same things. I have had 3 FETs now (all BFN) and one fresh (chemical) and was starting to get really frustrate with it all. I ovulate late in my cycle and have a short luteal phase, and this made me think that maybe my implantation window was later than most. So I decided to have the ERA done and it showed that I was pre-receptive and need an extra 24 hours of progesterone before transfer. I was so pleased with that result as I was so certain it would be that. We've yet to have another FET with our timing changed, but I'm hopeful that it will make the difference. Of course we have to have a normal embryo too, but fingers crossed. I wish that I had known about the ERA test before I'd done my 3rd FET - in fact I think it should be done before the first one! It could be so critical (although not for everyone). xx

[KT02 in reply to Millbanks]

Really helpful, thank you so much. Did the whole era process take long to do and organise? It's so hard when it feels time is flying and you don't want to delay but of course that doesn't make much sense when I know that I could be putting myself through more upset in the long run!

[Millbanks in reply to KT02]

It’s the same time as an FET. You basically do a mock cycle so everything you would for an FET but on the day you’d transfer you have the biopsy instead. I got my results back in a week but it can take longer. I started a fresh cycle on my bleed straight after the biopsy so in theory you’d only miss one cycle. It’s so hard to decide what to do in terms of timings, I know! xxx

[Ranchu90]

Our journey is very similar to yours. I had 3 chemicals in the past. We have 3 embryos on ice, 2 PGS normal and 1 mosaic. We are planning to transfer 2 next time because one is graded 5BC so not that great. We been advised by my doctor to have lots of tests done before moving into next transfer, see my previous 2 post if any interest. I did ERA test and came back normal 5.5 day and NK cells which are also normal. Now we are planning to have genetic blood tests done for both of us to check if I am not sharing the same genes with my husband. All the other test like blood clotting, thrombophilia all are normal.

My advice for you is to do the minimum tests now like blood clotting, Thyroid anybody or ERA maybe there's something that needs to be addressed.

Good luck 🤞♥️🤗

[KT02 in reply to Ranchu90]

Hi, thank you so much and for the posts you put up previously - I've just read them and they gave me lots to think about. Would you mind if I messaged you privately just to ask about what tests your gp was willing to do (I didn't think clotting tests or nk tests etc could be done in the NHS but maybe my gp had it wrong, not particularly helpful unfortunately) and also about the trial. That sounds like it might be great if I happened to be eligible

[Ranchu90 in reply to KT02]

Yes please, fell free to message me.Happy to help if I can 😉♥️

[Millbanks in reply to KT02]

A side note about clotting; our clinic prescribes clexane injections with every FET which is a blood thinner. I’ve never been tested for Thrombophilia but they give it to cover that base anyway. Might be worth asking your clinic? Xx