So it's not the end of my current cycle yet but after having the call from the embrologist earlier that the embryos are developing slow I dont have much hope for this round.... This is round number three with only 1 transfer in my previous cycles and no frozen Im 30yrs old and haven't been told any other reasons why i can't get pregnant other than my clipped tubes🤷♀️... What can i do to improve my chances?? I take all the vitamins coq10 i was taking 400mg will up to 600mg next cycle i take the seven seas trying to conceive, royal jelly & omega 3.
In terms of the NHS im over weight with having BMI of 29 - i have clipped fallopian tubes & normal AMH
I excersise in terms of long walks etc quite a few times a week i try to eat as healthy as possible but i do have a real sweet tooth and probably eat chocolate once a day... I dont drink coffee or smoke and i haven't touched a drop of alcohol since NYE!!
I am wanting to go straight into another round as soon as the clinic will let me, but o really want to though everything at it to give myself some sort of a chance...
Please help me 🙏!!
I know the book its starts with an egg i tried to read it preciously but it really overwhelmed me...
Please please please help if you can ❤️
Thank you xx
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Alwaysfullofhope
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We have at the start of the cycles we was advised to go flr ICSI as he had high count but low mobility so we have had ICSI on all 3 cycles, when they test initially do they check for quality etc or jusy count and mobility? X
I think they do a general test for motility and numbers. You can have a sperm fragmentation test done too which can detect abnormal sperm. Might be something to discuss with your consultant xx
Ahh yes will mention that... I just automatically assume its me i had a look at the pgs testing but its very expensive as we are self funded and 3rd round but im just at a loose end and no idea what to do xx
Awww sweetie. I don’t have anything I can say to help. Our 3 cycles failed as well. I didn’t get any embryos on the first. Second and third I only got one each time and both were unsuccessful.
I’m a perfect weight, I eat healthy but if I want a bit of chocolate I have it, don’t drink, came off the caffeine before the cycles. Took every vitamin under the sun that was recommended. Acupuncture, massage, hypnotherapy, plenty fresh air. I also changed all my skincare and toiletries in line with the it starts with an egg book (which also completely overwhelmed me)
It still didn’t work.
My sister had ivf with my niece (who is the light of my life) . She ate chocolate, takeaways, drank fizzy drinks, took folic acid and that was it. (She didn’t look at anything before the cycle so didn’t know she was meant to avoid it all) she didn’t do anything different than her normal life.
Please don’t beat yourself up. You can do everything you are supposed to do and it still doesn’t work. ❤️❤️
Aww thank you for your words - yes i hear stories like that and wish that could be my story one day like your sister.. I just dont know what is matter did you have any further testing im really sorry it hasnt worked out well at this stage for you yet... Its heart breaking you want it so much and try everything on your power.. All k think now is i should loose weight and cut out chocolate... Im absolutley dying for a drink but not going to cave as i want to go again asap but i just dont know any moreSorry im moaning so much today ive started looking at adoption doner eggs and everything my partner wants to try another 3 times and then go abroad of doesnt work but its soo mentally and physically draining on our bodies im just tiered of this crappy feeling xx
It’s okay to moan. That’s one of the main purposes of this forum. People who haven’t gone thru it don’t realise how brutal it is on your mind and body.
We are not going to try again. My husband and I agreed on 3 cycles. After the second one I wasn’t sure I could do the 3rd one but I pushed thru and did it. I have a very stressful job so I took a month off to do it.
We have been trying for 5 years and we made the decision on Monday when we got our negative that we are done. As much as we want a baby we also want to have a life together. I’m 37 and hubby is 40. We have spent our full married life trying to have a baby. It’s time for us to draw a line under it and be thankful for our blessings (each other and our niece) we couldn’t do anything “just incase I got pregnant”
It’s the hardest decision we have ever made and there will be plenty tears left for us to cry but we need to accept that it hasn’t happened for us and try to make the best of our life together. ❤️❤️
Im so sorry that this is the end of the road for you, but i cant completely understand your decision this journey is so consuming and you loose yourself in it all... I wish you you best for thr future and all that life brings and thank you for still supporting with the above it takes a very strong lady... Take care ❤️ xxx
I wish you all the best for your journey lovely. Hopefully next one will be the one for you. Make sure you enjoy your life as well as trying. Don’t cut out everything you enjoy. ❤️❤️❤️ Xxxx
I agree that you should have your partner do a sperm dna fragmentation test. My husband’s standard sperm analysis came back as normal so we both assumed that meant he was good to go. But after our embryos slowed down after day 3 it was suggested that he should have further testing. As it turns out, his sperm has really high dna fragmentation! So def worth getting checked out xx
Ahh yes i am definitely going to request this when i speak with our doctor ive just mentioned it to my partner and he said its a good idea... How much does it cost roughly suppose it varies at each clinic xx
1. Recommended husband start taking Impryl. As with all supplements, it takes 3 months to notice a difference, so you can always start taking asap if you suspect something might be off.
2. Referred my husband for a scrotal ultrasound to see if he had a varicocele.
3. Ordered semen and urine tests to check for bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. If anything is found, they can prescribe antibiotics or antivirals.
4. Recommended he start a 5:2 intermittent fasting regimen.
5. Depending on how severe the fragmentation is, surgical sperm retrieval can also be an option.
Hi Thanks. Mine is already taking the pills etc. Not sure he would do fasting we eat a balanced diet anyway. It was more at the stage of IVF what would they do? I don't quite understand why surgical retrieval?? We might end up having ICSI anyway. I just wondered if they can choose sperm with lower DNA fragmentation at that stage are all sperm affected? Obviously if you paid for that as extra. Also is it worth doing that for 1st NHS round?
Ah sorry, I misunderstood your question. ICSI is the recommendation if your partner has high fragmentation, but it’s not a fool-proof solution because sperm can look healthy and normal (and thus be chosen for injection) but still have high dna fragmentation. Unfortunately, there’s really no way to know for sure if a sperm has high fragmentation just by looking at it.
Surgical sperm retrieval is sometimes done if it’s determined that the damage is occurring in the ‘last mile’ (i.e. as it’s being ejaculated). If that’s the case, retrieving the sperm directly from the testicles can result in much better quality. But it’s a surgical procedure and not something the clinic would do lightly. You likely would have to have seen a urologist beforehand and determined that it was the best option for success.
It’s hard to say whether you should do ICSI for your first round - definitely best discussed with your consultant. It also kind of depends on how many nhs-funded rounds you have available in your area. If you have multiple, you could always start with normal IVF and then move to ICSI if needed.
Has your partner had a dna frag test done though? If not but you suspect that there may be a male factor at play, I would def ask to have it done before you start your cycle. Best to have as much information as possible before you jump onto the rollercoaster! xx
Hi Lorna, I had similar .. I’m on round 3 with only 1 transfer in my previous cycle, no frozen.
It seems like you’re doing everything you can.. this round I’ve tried acupuncture which is different to anything I’ve don’t previous.
I take myo-insotol, coq10, vit d, omega 369, pregnacare..
I think the only thing would be to give up sugar as much as possible? But I’ve had friends do ivf with their normal sugar intake and have good results!! Xxx
Thanks amy if you dont mind whats your reasons for ivf? Yes i will try myo-insotol and up my coq10, do you take added vit d ontop of what is included in the pregnacare? I haven't done that i just took it as a multi vit. Yes im going to try limit sugar but OH seems to think that changing my diet could do more harm than good its soo difficult i say this whilst eating a bloody pizza today has been shitty so neither of us could be bothered cooking!! How far through 3rd round are you?xx
My husband has low sperm count and low motility.. and I had high prolactin.. which stopped me from ovulating
We’ve been trying for so so long. I’m currently 8 days into stims for my 3rd round! Praying this round is the round.
If I’m honest I don’t do my diet as well as I should.. I gave up alcohol since New Years and I’ve started drinking decaf instead of normal coffee but it’s so hard xxx
I have my fingers crossed for you that this round is your round!! Yes i am wanting to start again on my next period so not sure id long enough for any changes to make a difference? But i am going to do everything i can my other two cycles i had a yr apart and im annoyed at myself for leaving it so long so dont want to do that again xx
Ahh yes i am definitely going to request this when i speak with our doctor ive just mentioned it to my partner and he said its a good idea... How much does it cost roughly suppose it varies at each clinic xx
Has your consultant tried doing a Day 2 or Day 3 transfer. My first round the only egg that sort of just about made a blastocyst deteriorated fast. The next round instead of the PGTA testing we wanted we were advised to do a fresh transfer on Day 5. Sadly that didn't work so this cycle they have done a day 2 transfer on the basis the fertilised eggs can develop better inside you than in a lab. I am hoping and praying they are right. Might be worth discussing with your consultant if you haven't already. I also read that Royal Jelly isn't great for egg quailty and that sugar creates blood sugar spikes so if you have to have it, it is best to eat something sweet as part of a meal instead of a stand alone snack.
No they was no mention of it when the embrologist rang it was just that we would see what they are like come day 5 but even if they do manage to grow i havs little hope of it becoming a pregnancy... Yes i am taking note of these tests and will put them forward to my clinic... I am looking into a naturopath doctor too not sure but im clutching at straws with everything we have another 3 goes paid for so im just hoping that i can find out what is the matter. Chocolate i am going to try cut back on ive bought some low fat hot chocolate drinking powder so going to try curb my need for sugar with that... But i dont drink any fizzy pop or eat thibgs with added sugar and no sugar in tea or coffee its just ny snacking 🤦♀️ xx
Yes, absolutely! I had two low grade ones put back last time. It didn't work out but I think that had little to do with them being low grade embryos and more to do with my age (I'm 44) and fact that there will be more with chromosomal defects at my age. I understand that low grade embryos can still end up becoming perfectly healthy babies.
I’m similar to you. I’ve had two rounds which went the same way, 11 eggs, good fertilisation and no embryos on day 5. On my first round I had a 2cc (lowest grade) and transferred but didn’t work unsurprisingly. The dr essentially said it sounds like an egg quality issue as they divide abnormally by day 3. She said it’s unlike to be sperm because of the timing it goes wrong.
I’m now taking COQ10, DHEA (low, monitored dose due to my pcos), Cytoplan Pregnaplan, vit c, vit e, r-alpha lipoic acid, magnesium, seagreens and a probiotic. This was either recommended in It Starts With the Egg or via a nutritionist I’ve started seeing. I’ve also refocused on my diet taking sugars into account, it’s not just about stopping chocolate etc it’s about balancing sugar intake and swapping for slow release carbs. It’s all really overwhelming. Over the last 3 years I have taken bits from the book and implemented them one by one so it doesn’t feel too overwhelming but totally understand it’s a lot to take it. I don’t know how my 3rd round will go next month/if it’ll be any different but I’ll know I tried everything!
Thank you - i am going to start seeing a naturopath doctor for acupuncture and diet etc so I'm hoping they can advise some stuff i did take DHEA for a short time but because i haven't had my testosterone levels checked it scared me to thinking i might be doing more harm than good, i go through stages with my diet some weeks/months im really good and focused other times i eat maltesers for breakfast i call it balance to my OH but joking aside people say its all reliant on the meds but you are what you eat i suppose im not wanting a break now i literally want to do it back to back until it works so not sure if DHEA will have enough time to work?Xx
Hi Lorna. I hope the embryos pick up as the week goes on. Have you had a karotype test I wonder? It will test for genetics issues. I had one which was about £650.
I already knew I had balanced chromosome translocation but needed the results to determine which chromosomes were affected and the size of the breaks.
Genetics issues can’t be treated as far as I know but it is an extra test to help you get insight into what is going on. Best to speak to the consultant if this cycle doesn’t work to ask for further investigations before committing to another cycle maybe?
Ive never heard of the karyotype test but i will look into it... Yes its the not knowing which kills me... I already have accepted that if these 3gos dont work im going down the donner egg route i just want to be a mum so will do it which ever way it takes.I am going to take notes of all these conversations and ask all these questions on Monday when my app is i hope they let me start on my next period xx
Have you heard of the book, it starts with an egg. I strongly advise you follow her aggressive plan. I have a low egg reserve and this worked for me. It tell you the best brands and what dosage. Suggests you start 3 months in advance as it takes that long to mature an egg! Wishing you so much luck! X
Hey yes i have but it really does overwhelm me it restricts your life so much i totally know why people stick by it but its just something i think i would statt off with all good intensions but would only last so long. I can stop the drinking and take all ths supplements and try live a healthy life but im cleaning crazy i love make up perfume and fake tan and because ivf takes so much from us already i just dont want to be a shell of who i am if that makes sense i know the stuff i enjoy sounds so trivial but thete ths only things i have right now xx
Oh I didn’t follow it to the letter. In fact I drank occasionally. Mainly the vitamins and drinking lots of water. Think the ubicol (better than coenzyme 10) at 600mg is good and also melatonin before the retrieval. I didn’t change my makeup or anything. Think you could go nuts with it, I mean if you live in a polluted city, what you supposed to do, move! Good luck! Xxx
It’s exhausting isn’t it! My first cycle I only got one decent embryo and that didn’t work out. So prepping to go again. I’m 38, low amh. Make the chances you can and feel comfortable to. I feel like you’ll always hear about people who did everything the books say not to and it’s works! I don’t want it to rule my life. I have found Accupuncture and yoga helpful. Good luck x
This sounds awful but this is reassuring that it isnt just me i was thinking is this just happening to me i dont want any of us to be experiencing this journey but to know we are going through it together bringa comfort in a way... I wish you all the luck in the world that this is your time!! Yes i just cant stick to the book and then if i dont its another thing to blame myself for - i am just trying to find a good naturopath doctor for supplement advise, acupuncture and diet hoping some advise may help the outcome of my next cycle xx
This reminded me of my own struggle when finding out about my AMH of 0.1 - I asked the doctor "how could I improve it" and I did all the research. Doctor said: "honey, if there were any cures or supplements that work, we would be prescribing them long ago along with the stims. The more I looked into it, the more I realized it's just luck of getting a good egg. I didn't change my lifestyle, didn't take any supplements and got pregnant naturally 14 weeks ago. If I had taken whatever supplements are floating out there, I would probably also assume they helped. It would have been a false assumption, given the fact that I got pregnant without any if it anyway. Good luck and don't stress about not having some supplement or book-perfect lifestyle.
Yes i totally agree i blame myself at every opportunity and its exhausting... But to be there's nothing i can do to alter the outcome surprisingly takes weight of my shoulders which i really didn't think it would x
Do what you can to make it feel like you’re in control and so you can’t regret not doing something is my approach. Keep hoping it all works out, no matter what it is that gets us all there x
Yes i think sometimes why would me eating this or drinking this effect the outcome but then i take all the supplements religiously so completely contradict my own thoughts!! Congratulations on becoming pregnant thats brilliant news!!Thank you x
Hello hope you’re feeling better this morning & when you said you have clipped tubes you mean like you took them out not wanting anymore or if another reason? If you don’t mind me asking.
Aww thank you - yes i feel a little better tomorrow i find out if the embryos continued to grow, not holding out much hope but we will see... I dont mind i had my tubes clipped due to hydrosalpinx x
I think you should do a better work up to see what is going wrong. Being very young and with good ovarian reserve you should have had better results unless doctors are missing something so I think you should investigate further. Also obviously check the make factor! I would get a second opinion and consider changing clinic.
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Giving up
Tubes clipped???
In to minds to take my steroids or not need help 
Tests to improve IVF chances after 2 failed cycles 
