I am 42 going on 43 with no success so far. If it's okay, would you mind sharing (for those within this age group) how many cycles (not transfers) did you have to do before you had your baby via IVF/ICSI with your own eggs?
Online stats for IVF to 'live birth' show between 3-15% number (depending on which site you google).
I am conflicted at this stage where I am trying to figure if the odds are really that low and its a small number that have success who respond? Maybe those who are unsuccessful just give up and don't respond? Also trying to figure out if it takes so many cycles to succeed/not succeed, then when should I move on to donor eggs? I guess everyone idea of how many cycles is too many, differs too.
Would really appreciate feedback. Many thanks.
Written by
S2017
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Hi. I had a fresh cycle at 41 but miscarried after transferring my only two embryos. Did my 2nd fresh cycle at 42 and ended up transferring 1 embryo and miscarrying again but froze 3. Had a natural frozen transfer a few months later and transferred two embryos and currently 18 weeks 2 days with twins a boy and a girl. Miracles do happen. Pls don’t give up. If you have any questions always here to help. Wishing you all the luck in the world xx
Having 6 blastocyst from just 2 cycles is amazing!! This news sounds like a dream to me. Its so nice to be able to have twins - one boy and one girl! I really wish this would happen to us and probably to a ton of us on this chat. Thanks for coming back to me. Xx
Hi lovely ,I’m also 43 You have to prepare yourself for that... I’m waiting for frozen donor eggs... the chance is better than my eggs but still is not high enough that give me peace mind !. I did 3 cycles and nothing normal came out ...All 3 cycles number of eggs were good and I could get up to 6 day 6 !!!
But you should be mentally ready for that !!! Hope you can use your eggs xx
I'm really struggling with the donor egg idea. Its the most realistic thing to do but something I didn't anticipate. These days I never have piece of mind as its running in my mind 24/7 😞
I do however hope everything works out well for you. Xx
I hope your eggs work for you! Even for me to get here was hard ...I tried 3 cycles but people have different timelines and budget! I really wish it works for you and anyone who struggles xxx
I’m 42, I didn’t even try using my own eggs, I went straight to donor eggs which increased my chance from 5% to 50% and it worked first time. It is worth it to increase the odds and reduce cycles. Good luck with everything x
Yes, the most realistic thing to do. I think when you're mentally prepared you approach things differently. My mind says this should be the approach, on the other hand, I can't stopped kicking myself for delaying this sooo late.
Congratulations xx did you try fresh eggs? How many eggs you had? My eggs arrives probably next month.. I’m too stressed and cannot stop googling! Google says with 8 frozen I only have 37% chance 🥺
Hi there, I'm 42 also and I'm 19 weeks pregnant on the first try. I've never tried to get pregnant before but the person I decided to have the baby with had a vasectomy before I met him so we had to go ICSI straight away. I have a lot of eggs (possible PCOS when I was younger, the doc said). I had 30 removed, four fertilised and two made it to PGS testing - and of those two only one came back (as a low level mosaic) - but she has stuck and is wriggling around in my belly as I type. Goodness I hope she continues to a live birth - I'm optimistic she will for sure. Good luck!
Wow, amazing news!!! So glad it worked out for you! I only have 1 blastocyst so did not consider PGS as the numbers is too low. I will be transferring the blastocyst soon, after ERA. Hope it will be good news.
Good luck on your journey! Xx
Hi, I'm 43 and have just got a BFP after my third IVF cycle. The first one I ovulated early so I'm not sure if you can count that one but had 2 after that and never had anything left for the freezer. I think statistics can be very disheartening and I try not to go by them too much. Yes you have to be realistic but you are the one who knows your body and individual circumstances better than anyone else and somebody has to be in those successful figures!
Sounds like you have had a few cycles. How did you get on in terms of fertilisation and which day did you transfer?
I am 44, I started IVF at 38. I did actually get pregnant and also had a couple of chemicals but never had a live birth. The 'when do I move to donor is this pointless' question span round my head for the last couple of years. My consultant said if I was getting to day 5 with a decent embryo it was worth persevering. Rounds 5 and 6 (always fresh as not enough for frozen) we got to day 5 but only morula and they told us the embryos were really slowing down after day 3 which was an indication of egg quality and it was probably time to call it a day with our own eggs. I am now on the waiting list for a donor but it took me a long time to get my head round it. I know its not the info you asked for but wanted to say maybe ask how your embryos develop as that can be a good indicator of chances of success. Good luck xx
Hi, so far I have had 2 cycles. 1st cycle, a lot of follicles, 4 eggs, 1 fertilised and resulted in 1 blastocyst (which is currently frozen). I did another cycle, 5 eggs, all fertilised, transferred the 3 best on day 3. The remaining 2 did not make it to blastocyst and all the 3, day 3 embryos did not make it.
That hit me hard as that's when I started thinking what if I never get the chance to become a mum?
Every single day, I think it this pointless or could there be hope? Am I just literally flushing money down the toilet for IVF/ICSI to later realise that this is not working and I need donor eggs??
I reached out and honestly feedback is so mixed. The good news there does seem to be quite a lot of positive news and equal amount of feedback who are using donor eggs.
I never thought of analysing embryo development, Ill look into it and this can be one form of guidance on next steps.
Thank you for coming back to me and I hope you get a donor very soon...Xx
I’m 44 and have had 4 cycles with no success. I’m going abroad, all being well, in early July to use a donor. My cycles had diminishing returns so I made the decision not to keep going with my own. It’s a difficult decision but there are no right or wrong decisions. Focus on what’s right for you.
Do you mind me asking if you did your 4 cycles when you were already 44 or started a few years before that?
Yup, I agree its a difficult decision and yes, agree that we should do what feels right. Just a bit of a difficult period now which I hope soon gets better.
Not at all! I had my first cycle when I was 42 and then 3 successive ones at 43. I had been ttc for 2 years before that. I posted an article about donor eggs a little while ago which might help with a decision regarding that. I certainly am taking the view that others here do and it’s someone donating some cells to me and that I will grow and the baby will be my flesh and blood. It’s a very personal thing though so take some time and speak to clinics and get the right one. All that said I know someone (I have spoken to them) who had one cycle at 47/48 and got pregnant first time and now has a five year old!
That's quite a lot of cycles and time. I'm sorry it didn't work out. I will check out your previous article, right now I still have 1 blastocyst. Will see what happens, hopefully everything works out, else will explore next steps.
Wishing you loads of load and smooth travel....Hope you get some good news soon..Xx
No of course not. To be honest I have only spoken to her once so wouldn’t feel comfortable passing on her details. I’m not aware that she is on this forum. I’m not sure she would be able to give you any more details. As far as I’m aware she had one successful cycle. She didn’t go into it with big expectations, she wanted to try it to know that she had given it a go. She used a sperm donor as she was single. She had a day 5 transfer and it was obviously a good one! I think the statistics are much the same once you are over 44 (1-2%) but that’s maybe because not that many people try? She used a clinic in Scotland, which I also used, unfortunately my cycles were unsuccessful. I think look into things and perhaps have a cycle (finances dependent) and see what happens. DE and sperm would also be an option. Hope this helps!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
You have to prepare yourself for that... I’m waiting for frozen donor eggs... the chance is better than my eggs but still is not high enough that give me peace mind !. I did 3 cycles and nothing normal came out ...All 3 cycles number of eggs were good and I could get up to 6 day 6 !!!
How many embryos did you transfer before BFP?
12 week scan update (Scan photo)
How many times a day were you/are you taking vaginal suppository progesterone? 
Trying since 2019 to have a family - anyone else on similar timeline? 
