Questions to ask

[Chicky86]

I had a failed fresh cycle in December, and a natural FET with progesterone this month which also failed 😢

I've a follow up appointment this coming Tuesday.

Just wondered if anyone could give any advice as to what questions I should ask before having another cycle.

Thank you very much and good luck to you all out there xx

[Fertilityjourney]

Hi there. I'm so sorry that your transfer didn't work. Hope you're being well looked after. Xx

I think I'd ask the doctors what they felt went well and not so well this cycle. And what will they do differently next time?

After my 1st round, the doc said my cycle had gone quite well (aside from the obvious) but mother nature is cruel... Looking back I wish I'd asked her how many attempts they think it will take...

I have no idea if they can guess this but if you responded well to meds and had good embryos I hope it is a case of keep trying...

Take care and I hope your review goes well. Xxx

[Chicky86 in reply to Fertilityjourney]

Thanks so much. Feel a bit naive as I really thought the FET was gonna be the one, but I guess we're always hoping aren't we!

Really appreciate the reply xx

[Fertilityjourney in reply to Chicky86]

Please don't feel naive. This is a tough journey and it's perfectly normal to be optimistic / positive. You WILL get there... Take time to grieve and then try and put your positive pants back on. Big hugs xx

[Chicky86 in reply to Fertilityjourney]

Thank you, hope you're ok too xx 😘

[XOXO13]

Hi there,

So sorry your transfers haven’t worked so far. I am in your shoes; failed fresh transfer November and a failed medicated FET transfer January. Both top grade embryos.

For my follow up, I asked my consultant why she thought it hadn’t work and she said it was likely bad luck - she still believes it will work for us (I’ve no known fertility issues, our problem is with my husbands sperm morphology. We’ve also conceived naturally in Jan 2020 but sadly miscarried).

I asked her if there would be any changes in my protocol, she said no because I responded really well to treatment both times. I asked her about ERA and any other testing and she said it’s not needed, she doesn’t actually believe the ERA test would tell us anything anyway and said my lining is healthy. I asked whether she thought some symptoms I had (swollen lymph nodes) was a sign of infection or my body rejecting the embryo, she said absolutely not!

She said when it comes down to it, it’s about the quality of the egg and luck. Even the best looking embryos can have faulty chromosomes and therefore not work (mine were 5AA and 4AA).

We talked about medicated vs natural FET and decided medicated was the best for me as I know I ovulate each month, but I’m not really sure when and that would stress me out too much!

The only difference with this medicated FET is that she’s agreed to check my progesterone levels before transfer and suggested to transfer two embryos (I’m 30, so they don’t usually suggest that). Apparently it provides an 8% increased chance of at least one sticking but you also have to be prepared for risks of both sticking.

If this cycle fails then she’s suggested genetic testing of myself. But I’m hoping of course it’s third times a charm!!

Hope the above helps in some way. Keep going! It can sometimes take people a few chances or more before they get their baby - that’s what helps me keep going 🤍💫 xxxx

[Chicky86 in reply to XOXO13]

Thank you so much for your reply.

Really sorry to hear about your miscarriage, I've been reading some of your blog actually, and I really wish you all the best moving forward.

I asked at my last appointment about natural Vs medicated, as I wasn't sure if the natural route was for me, I'm seeing a different doctor this time, do it'll be interesting to see if they have a different opinion.

Thanks again, feeling a bit more hopeful xx

[PenguinBlue]

hi Chicky, I’m so sorry to hear your cycle didn’t work. It is so difficult and I feel your pain.

Definitely get your doctors opinion on what they thought went well but also consider asking them about doing an ERA or a medicated FET which may help support you better.

They may also ask you to consider doing genetic testing on the embryos (if you haven’t done this already)

In the meantime, take care of yourself and be kind to yourself too. Sending a big hug xxx

[Chicky86 in reply to PenguinBlue]

Thank you, seeing a different doctor this time, so it'll be interesting to see if they have a different opinion.

I've not had any testing done on my embryos, so definitely something to consider.

I feel like I won't be heading to the appointment completely blind now and have things I can discuss.

Xx

[PenguinBlue in reply to Chicky86]

Wishing you lots of luck lovely xx

[Angels2us]

Hi chicky 86 , yes I would say all of the above, I am also having my review on Tuesday too , I just had my 7 th attempt which failed, so I have no idea where to go from here , all I know is surly after 14 embryos in it can’t be bad luck with myself. But I would medicated if I was you and like I said ask about Era , my doctor keeps telling me I don’t need one ! But it doesn’t hurt asking Hope you get some answers xxxxx

[Chicky86 in reply to Angels2us]

Hi Angels2us

Hope your review goes ok on Tuesday, and you're able to get some answers.

I'm sorry to hear you've had another failed cycle, I really hope you get that BFP soon.

I was unsure about going down the natural route, but trusted the doctor.

I'll be seeing a different doctor on Tuesday, so I can see if he has a different opinion about changing my protocol.

Thank you for your reply xxxx

[Angels2us]

Oh ok , good lucky hope you get your baby too xxxx