Feeling scared - I think it’s going to be chemical - needing advice

[hoping2021]

I cracked yesterday night 8dp6dt and got a faint line (but darker than my previous BFP 6months ago)… so felt positive.

This morning, 9dp6dt I tested again and line is much fainter and I still have small amount of brown discharge every time I wipe and a few spots on my knickers.

I have my blood test today. I guess I know where this is heading…. To keep myself sane I think I need to make plans for next round. So here’s my situation:

I have one more embryo in the freezer but I’m 38 now (the frozen embryos were from a cycle done when I was 34). This embryo was made before my husband became unwell and before he started immunosuppressants.

So question:

Should I go and do a fresh cycle after this round just so they can collect the eggs to make embryos whilst I’m 38. This would mean using

A) frozen sperm that my husband banked just before he started immunosuppressants

Or b) fresh sperm - strangely his DNA frag, counts etc has all got better since starting his medication (but he remains in the infertile range)

Or do i c) give the remaining frozen embryo in freezer a shot before starting another fresh cycle (next cycle cycle will be our 4th round).

How long should I leave things before I go into next cycle?

[IVFat40]

I'm so sorry for the struggles you're going through, and I'm keeping everything crossed your current pregnancy continues (I definitely don't think you're out yet!).

If you were to need another round, I wondered if you have done the investigations regarding implantation failure/early loss? Since your embryos were made when you were 34, I wondered if perhaps your difficulties might not be with the embryo quality but perhaps around implantation/sustaining early pregnancy. Implantation failure and chemical pregnancy, I've recently done testing for uterine natural killer cells, a hysteroscopy, a range of blood tests recommended by my clinic, and the last thing will be the ERA test.

If you did go down the route of getting more testing done it can take a while, so in my situation (I'm older than you though) I did decide to collect more eggs first to avoid them getting any older, and will start transfers after all the tests.

[hoping2021 in reply to IVFat40]

Thank you for your reply. I did a battery of tests before 34, but I think it’s time for me to think about ERA etc as you suggest. Thank you

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi hoping. Obviously you need to discuss this with your specialist. Fingers crossed that the Beta hCG is OK, but if not, perhaps have a fresh go again, to add to your embryo that is waiting, quite safely. Just in case your fertility should decline a little. Thinking of you. Diane

[KiboXX]

Hey lovely,

Just wanted to say, my pregnancy tests have always been significantly darker in the evening then the morning. I’ve spoken to lots of ladies before that have said the same.

I know you have your bloods today so I’m hoping you get a good news xxx

[hoping2021 in reply to KiboXX]

Thank you

[GaJo]

I am 38, as well I was worried when I was going to last embryo. what I did is that after the chemical I went right away with the transfer of my last embryo, fortunately it stuck, but if it did not, it was only one month lost, there is not a big difference it one month.

[hoping2021 in reply to GaJo]

So you had a bleed and then implanted on that cycle? I.e back to back transfer or did you wait for one cycle, the transfer

[Hidden in reply to hoping2021]

Hi hoping, I had a MMC in August, had the miscarriage bleed and am going straight for a FET any day now with our last embryo, just waiting on Aunt Flo. I’m 39 and as GaJo says, it’s only a month lost if it doesn’t stick then straight into a fresh if needs be. Although going straight for a fresh cycle will hopefully add to your embryos but, you’re not out yet, hang in there and I hope it all works out for you! Xx

[hoping2021 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you - I’m keen to go straight into it now as conscious of my age.

[Marisa32]

If your husband is having DNA frag issues then perhaps the cause of the failing embryos wasn't your 34 year old eggs but sperm. I would try to create more embryos asap given the situation because at 38 and later you are going to add egg issues on top of the existing sperm issue.

[hoping2021 in reply to Marisa32]

Thanks for taking the time to read this. I agree I do need to press on. I do feel like my lifestyle is much better than it was when I was 38 - so I hoping that they will be ok.