Questions for consultant after failed IVF

[Trying00]

Hello ladies, please can you help with your experience and advice.

We’ve had 2 failed IVF cycles (one chemical and 1 early miscarriage) and I’m speaking with the consultant today. What questions would you recommend I ask him about the failed cycle/moving on to next cycle?

Thanks

[nk202]

I would ask if they think it is more likely to be due to an egg or sperm issue. Sometimes there are indications e.g. poor fertilisation rate and a drop off from day 3 to day 5 blastocysts that indicate it could be the latter - you could then focus on improving sperm quality or ask for additional tests such as DNA fragmentation. I’d also ask if you might benefit from a change in stimulation protocol - apparently this can affect egg quality/maturity. Also ask about ways of improving egg quality e.g. is it worth taking supplements such as DHEA/coq10? Essentially you want to optimise both sperm and egg and the rest seems to be up to the fertility gods!

We’ve had 3 cycles of IVF for embryo banking (I need a fibroid removed) so no definitive success/failure yet but we have had very different numbers for each so I think there is inherent variability. Many, many people are successful on their third or later round. I think if we had to do any further cycles we would go elsewhere, not because we’ve had a bad experience at our clinic but sometimes a fresh perspective can help. So that might also be something to consider.

I wish you all the very best.

[My_Miracle_Is_Here]

I had the same thing; and my 3rd transfer worked! It’s a positive thing that your embryos implanted. As annoying as it is, it’s just a numbers games. For example, I’m 38 so statistically over 50% of my eggs have a chromosome abnormality. So I just need to keep going until the right one is put back. Some people are lucky if it works time, but it really is just luck.

Is your next cycle a Fresh or Frozen? Your consultant may adjust your drugs if it’s a fresh cycle and things egg numbers could be better.

Keep positive xx