Next cycle

[Bluedestiny]

Hi I hope everyone is doing ok whatever stage you are at. Just wanted a bit of advice/opinion. After our first disastrous cycle, I’m wondering how long to wait until the next one tbh I’m fully expecting the same thing to happen again although obviously i hope not. Originally I thought I’ll start on ubiquinol and various other supplements and wait at least 3 months to do the next round (I’ve just started on the supplements last week). However I’m wondering your opinions if you think this is beneficial or if I did one sooner (I’m impatient) would it be silly to try another one before then. Thanks xx

[Hidden]

Hi, I’ve only been on extra supplements for a month, time is precious for me so I’m going for it! 2nd day of stims, 3rd cycle for us, I’d say go for it, wishing you luck xx

[Bluedestiny in reply to Hidden]

Thank you sending you lots of luck xx

[Hidden]

My first round was a disaster and I had all these plans about supplements etc but the reality was mentally I just needed to get on with it so I did start right away again. I did actually get pregnant on round 2 but sadly miscarried - I often wonder if it was because some old drugs were in my system too.

I know a lot of people have seen improvements but I’ve tried every supplement under the sun in the last four years and none have made a noticeable difference - but that could just be me

Good luck xx

[Bluedestiny in reply to Hidden]

So sorry to hear about your miscarriage. I agree with the supplement I just wanted to do something to feel like im doing something if that makes sense. But I don’t know how much of a difference they make. I think you’ve given me the info I needed and I’m going to try again sooner xx

[Hidden in reply to Bluedestiny]

I totally get it, we all feel like we want to optimise our chances and make a difference. The first round is so often a learning one and I am sure your clinic will mix things up a bit this second one. I would go for it. Masses of luck x

[Gabriella89]

I’m not sure if this is actually proven but I’ve heard lots of people do much better in their 2nd cycle as the drugs from the first cycle help your eggs develop more / your body gets used to it. I had a month off between my first and second then went straight in and my second was much more successful. If you’ve been taking supplements for a month already you’ll be at 2 months before your retrieval so I’d say go for it!

[Bluedestiny in reply to Gabriella89]

Really appreciate this Gabriella I’m going to go for it sooner there is enough waiting around with IVF as it is. It’s awful but we expect bad news as that’s all we’ve ever had so it’s almost like I want to do it to know for sure then we can look at other options if needed xx

[Gabriella89 in reply to Bluedestiny]

Sounds a good idea. Also for the same point others have mentioned that age is not on any of our sides! Keep positive - every step is a step towards our babies. I’m 2 rounds in and 2 failed FETs so I know the pain far too well but just trying to keep hopeful my baby is on its way to me. Wishing you so much luck xx

[Bluedestiny in reply to Gabriella89]

Really feel for you honestly it’s just not what you ever imagine having to go through when you visual your life as a teenager. But here we are and we continue to fight the fight. I really hope you get your miracle xx

[McQueeny]

I’m very impatient. And every month waiting feels like a decade when you’re dealing with infertility. So I just went for it as soon as I medically could. Ubiquinol could help but it could also not…. There’s no harm in trying it but personally unless you have a health condition you’re trying to get on top of, or you’re really unhealthy and need a big change in lifestyle (which doesn’t sound to be the case), I’d just plough on x

[Bluedestiny in reply to McQueeny]

Thanks McQueeny that’s really helpful I think I just needed some reassurance. No I’ve no health issues my bmi is fine there’s no reason why my eggs were blowing dust last time so I’m hoping it’s a different outcome this time xx

[McQueeny in reply to Bluedestiny]

My first round didn’t work either. No reason - all unexplained, all tests came back fine - but we ended up with a freeze all and the FETs failed too. Second round worked! Good luck xx

[MofM]

I am now at my 5th cycle (the second of two embryo-banking cycles).

Before the first cycle, I did not take any supplements since I wanted to start ASAP (>35yo, not great ovarian reserve). It was a disaster because the doctor got the medication wrong -- indeed, second cycle, different medications, no supplements, much better results but still low quality, resulting in 2 failures, 1 miscarriage and 1 chemical pregnancy out of 5 embryos transferred.

Hoping in getting better results on my next cycles, I started taking 600 ubiquinol/day, extra folate, vitamin B12, C, D, E, omega 3. Fast forward 10 months (thank you COVID-19). Third cycle: results in line with cycle #2 minus the effect of age (that is lower quality as expected from someone that is 1.5 years older) despite all these supplements.

I have now been taking all of these for 1.5 years (What if I stop? Will things get worse? Who knows, but who has the gut to do it?) and still no improvement in quality.

For our embryo-banking cycles, three weeks before starting, the consultant suggested DHEA. You should take it for at least 3 months for having any effect so I asked whether was better to postpone these cycles but the consultant said that the sooner we get the eggs the better. The effect of age is much stronger than any supplement one can take.

Following this suggestion, it would be better for you to start your cycle as soon as you can, but I appreciate that everyone is different (and I am now 38 yo, so age is a very important factor in my treatment plan).

[Bluedestiny in reply to MofM]

I am 33 almost 34 and although young(ish) in the ivf world I know how long it can take so I’m conscious of this. I have an expectation that we may need to consider donor eggs or sperm or both eventually and that adds additional wait times then years will have passed. I totally hear you about the supplements I am going to continue with them but get going again ASAP I think not sure how soon it’ll be able to happen but hopefully it won’t be long xx

[Bella_Bee]

I think all the studies agree that maternal age is the most important factor. If over 38 probably crack on. If you're under 38, my own very personal opinion would be to wait three months. I had a disastrous first round with no blasts. I regrouped, started supplements (DHEA 50mg× 3 times a day, CoQ10 500 once a day, melatonin 3mg once a day, folic acid 1mg not just 400mcg as recommended in Uk and high dose vit D) chose a new clinic, new genetically tested sperm donor, lost 15lbs and changed protocol. I had my second round through may and june. Got 7 good day 5/6 blasts from 18 eggs . Now obviously this is my own very very personal experience (and I consulted frequently with doctors) and all embryos could be genetically bad or simply not take or maybe it's the lab of this new clinic that was far more superior but whatever it was, I felt more in control and the results - until this point - are worlds apart. Good luck with whatever you decide. ❤

[Bluedestiny in reply to Bella_Bee]

Really interesting to see another opinion thanks Bella. Massive improvement for you which is absolutely amazing xx

[Papillonblue]

Hi I can’t offer much advice but I’m in the same boat, first round I was on a multi bit for trying to conceive, in prep for my second I’m throwing everything it starts with the egg recommends for someone with low AMH. I’m 38, (nearing 39) my consultant wasn’t over enthusiastic about waiting 3 months so we compromised and plan second cycle for end of August (BFN was 10th June and supplements started the week after) cash is limited so a third cycle will have to wait till we have saved up a bit more so I’d rather hold off a month longer so o feel I’ve done all I can.

[Bluedestiny in reply to Papillonblue]

Totally understand. It’s such a turmoil between feeling like you’ve done as much as possible and not leaving it too long. Good luck with your next cycle sending lots of love to you xx