Hey, it’s strange putting a post out into the ether hoping for a response, but being someone who is private about their infertility journey, and not having a great support network, I’m just desperate for some hope.
I’m 37 (husband 33) and we’ve been TTC 2.5 years. I have low AMH and we have unexplained infertility. Due to sperm issues also, we’ve been told ICSI IVF is our best hope.
I’ve never had a +ve pregnancy test in my life.
Story so far; we’ve had 2 fresh rounds of ICSI resulting in a total of 3 blasts, and both fresh embryo transfers (C & B grade) and our recent FET (A grade) have all failed (-ve result this morning). Think this would be considered recurrent implantation failure by most.
In June I had a test show I have high uterine natural killer cells but this wasn’t acted upon by our clinic, we won’t be going back there.
Just wanted any little rays of hope or advice anyone has this morning. Thank you in advance ☺️ X
Hi lovely, sorry to hear about your negative this morning. Much love to you. I’m 38 and just had our first ever positive after 6 transfers. We did an ERA test which showed our transfer window was out by 24 hours. I had my immunology done which showed I had high natural killer cells too and we PGS tested our banked embryos. I think these things combined helped us get our positive. It felt like a long road but we always knew we’d keep going until we’d tried everything really.
Hi Millbanks thanks so much for replying. We haven’t had an era test but it’s the next thing we might try. Can I ask, were your natural killer cells treated? I can’t believe you went through 6 transfers, well done you - you are a warrior! And I’m so happy you have got a positive finally ❤️ X
Haha thanks! I had my fallopian tubes clipped in 2019 due to damage after surgery so IVF was our only option - I think we always knew we'd just keep going until either it worked or we ran out of money!! I did have my NK cells treated - it's really simple - I'm on 20mg Prednisolone a day. I also had an intralipid infusion (as a drip) before transfer and one after our positive test. I've got my final one scheduled this week. I don't know why more clinics don't test for immune issues - they seem to be really common in IVF and it's so easily treated.
I am so sorry that this is your journey. I can feel the weight of your pain and disappointment in your words. I am so sorry. It hurts and I hope that you find some peace in your journey moving forward.
We'd be TTC for 2.5 years when we finally had tests done. We found out hubby had zero sperm and it took a year for him to start producing some sperm - which is when we started IVF 3.5 years after starting TTC. First round we ended up with three picture perfect AA embryos. First fresh transfer resulted in a Chemical and the next two were just negative. Clearly they were rubbish. I swore after that I would PGS test everything next time. I get how disappointing and frustrating this journey is. It really really sucks.
After my three failed transfers I had every test that I could think of and that my FS could think of. Everything came back normal. 🤷♀️🤦♀️ Beyond frustrating. Then while waiting to start our second IVF cycle we discovered that I'd fallen pregnant naturally! Best shock ever!
I'm telling you this because I hated when my FS told me that sometimes the journey to motherhood was a numbers game. That felt like such a cop out. He always had said that it looked like that was going to be our journey. When my tests showed nothing wrong he reiterated that it was probably a case if finding the right embryo. Then I got pregnant naturally even with hubby's low sperm count! So he must have been right.
So my advice is to get every test done that you want and can afford. Rule things out. Find out if there is something that may be a stumbling block for you. Then decide a way forward. If you want tests for implantation failure then get them done. This is your journey and your emotional pain that you go through...not to mention your money. Optimise what you can and keep trying! Good luck! Xxx
Hi Belangalo , thanks so much for replying. This is definitely a story that’s given me hope and reminded me to not stop trying! I am so delighted for you. This is amazing news. We have signed up to a new clinic and will see what they recommend at initial consultation, but I’m defo thinking all the tests and throwing the kitchen sink at it! X
Hi Wonder_Dog. Just wanted to wish you well for next time, once you've decided to try again. So sorry to hear that you have suffered failed cycles. You could ask about possibly trying some low dose soluble aspirin and/or heparin to hopefully prevent any clot formation and aid blood supply to your womb and lining. Worth an ask. Diane
Thanks so much DianeArnold I really appreciate your words. I will defo ask about that also. I had some blood tests for clotting etc (can’t remember their names) and they came back normal, but don’t think we should rule any line of treatment out! X
Hi Wonder_Dog, what we have tried after 4 ivfs/icsi (4 transfers, all BFN, I was always a poor responder due to relatively low AMH) was steroids, intralipid infusion and hysteroscopy with endometrial scratch and we got our first ever positive on our 5th ivf-icsi after 5 years of infertility. I am currently 15 weeks pregnant. Since you are (rightly) changing clinic you could discuss with them how they can tackle the issue of implantation failure. All the best to you!
Hi Annakabana thanks so much for replying. The combo of steroids and intralipid infusion sound like what I’ve heard a lot of ppl with recurrent implantation failure say is the only thing that’s worked, so I’m very keen to try those. We had a scratch for transfers 2&3 actually, but would do it again. Thanks so much x
Hi Hidden , yes I had endo scratch before transfers 2&3. Also had extra progesterone supper for those two transfers also (as I bled before I even got to OTD on transfer 1!) but something makes me think it is an issue of implantation / embryo rejection from my body? So will keep getting tests done until we get some answers! X
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