2 failed rounds of ICSI what to do next?

[SAdancer]

We have just finished our second round of ICSI and both rounds haven’t been able to reach blasts.

First round 7 eggs collected, 6 mature & fertilised then nothing by day 5.

Second round 6 eggs collected, 3 mature, 2 fertilised then again nothing by day 5.

We just don’t understand why we can’t get a blast. Could it be that our bodies are not compatible? Would appreciate any advice or success stories. We’re stuck with what to do next, change clinics, do another round, give up.

We’re both 34 and have been TTC for 4.5 years now with no medical issues. My AMH is 19.9. We have both had karyotype tests and my partner DNA fragmentation which has all come back “normal”. The only initial thing was my partners morphology was 1% but that has improved since. So what is wrong with us? Why isn’t it happening? I would be happy if just one of them made it to blast.

Sorry just feeling very emotional!

[XOXO13]

I’m so sorry for what you’ve gone through, I completely understand why you feel emotional 💔

What has your clinic advised? If you trust your clinic and feel you can stay with them, then do it but if you’re needing a fresh perspective then I’d search for a new clinic that specialise in similar cases to yours. I had three unsuccessful transfers and then moved clinics because I needed new hope, and that helped me mentally.

I don’t have any answers for you, it seems strange that with no known issues on either side that you wouldn’t be making any blastocysts. If it’s not a sperm issue, could it possibly be an egg issue?

Have you changed protocols between the two treatments?

There is a Professor Robert Winston who does question and answers on fertility on his website, and you can sometimes ask him a question or join his webinars: genesisresearchtrust.com/as... - maybe there’s some answers here for you?

Sending you lots of hope, strength and luck on your journey moving forward 🍀💗 xx

[SAdancer in reply to XOXO13]

Thanks for the reply. Yes we changed slightly and had a few adds ons for second round so we were shocked to have the same outcome.

I definitely will check out that link. Thanks xx

[leo1980]

Hi, I am so so sorry for your hardship. This journey is so bloody awful. Sending positive vibes to you both. What about thyroid? Vitamin D - have you had those checked? What protocol are you on? I am pants on a short protocol but much better on a long one. That was a game changer for us and we are in our 40’s!

I am sure the ladies on here will respond with more troubleshooting possibilities but the change in protocol made the difference for me.

Also try AOA.. it’s worth a go for an extra £100 or so

Xx

[SAdancer in reply to leo1980]

Thanks for the reply. Ive had all my levels checked and there seems to be no problem there. We have been on the long protocol for both rounds. Yes will maybe look into AOA xx

[SAdancer in reply to SAdancer]

We did have calcium ionophore injected into our eggs the second round and then put into an embryoscope as well.

[Ivfgotadream]

At which point is your embryos arresting? Generally if the initial fertilisation isn’t good or poor quality days 1-3 it’s due to egg quality. If it’s between day 3-5 then sperm is the contributing factor?

I’m surprised with your AMH levels and age that you aren’t getting better numbers? What protocol are you doing?

[SAdancer in reply to Ivfgotadream]

Hi, so the embryologist called on day 4 to say that were at the stage they were meant to be and on day 5 on both rounds that’s when they have told me that they have slowed right down and will it give it one more day to see if any improvements.

I am on a long protocol. I was taking 150 Fostimon, 75 Meriofert & zomacton on our first round and second just 150Fostimon & 150 Meriofert.

So do you think it could be a problem with the sperm then as they seem to be slowing down by day 4-5.

[Ranchu90]

We have similar story till certain point. Unlike you we managed to have 1 embryo each cycle, first 2 cycles- day 2 embryos been transferred, 3rd cycle one blast PGS normal been transferred all 3 ended in chemicals. What I learned is that protocol and embryologists are making all the difference. My AMH was 35 at 29 years old, was very good but number or mature eggs were between 3 to 8 eggs/cycle. We changed the clinic, went to Spain and our fertilization rate was over 90%. For each and single cycle (4 in total) we had completely different protocol, our last one was successful and we are now pregnant. You need to make sure the clinic you are choosing is having good embryologists, sounds strange but you will not believe how much difference it can make. In UK we had fertilization rate of 40% and they never wanted us to see if our single embryo will make to day 5. We opted for PGS testing when we produced only one embryo per cycle, people will think that we were crazy and indeed we were because we always had a hope. Last cycle we produced 4 blastocysts and 3 normal embryos, 2 of them are my little twins that are kicking in my belly now 🤩 Don't lose your hopes, change the clinic or do a day 3 transfer. Take care of yourself 😘💕

[darkbuthappyplace]

Hi, we have also just had two failed cycles and struggled with what to do next.

Our first two cycles have been long protocol with upping meds each time (which made no difference). I have been on 300 and then 375 meriofert. I got 5 mature eggs the first time and 4 mature the second time. Fertilisation rate has also been poor, first go, 2 fertilised, second go only 1 fertilised. None made it to blastocyst, they were slow developing or arrested.

I'm 37 and my AMH is low but within normal range. We did IVF but have been recommended ICSI for our next cycle which we will do but i'm not convinced that will help too much.

I asked our consultant if i could change my protocol as i've researched that people with low fertilisation sometimes do better on the short protocol. I also read that increasing medication lowers egg quality and as i've been on such a high dose i'm concerned that that may be affecting egg quality.

So the new approach is short protocol, swapping to Ovaleap instead of Meriofert (although i dont know a lot about this drug) and ICSI.

I should also say that husbands sperm is tested and all fine, so the issue seems to be on my side if any we believe.

I'm not sure if any of this helps you but i always find it good to hear of different scenarios and approaches. I'm concerned about my egg quality and want to understand if that is the case or if it's the drugs and protocol before we consider donor eggs but i'm hoping we're a way off that yet.

Best of luck xx