Does IVF get easier, harder, or just as hard after the first round?

[Tara123456]

I've done one IVF cycle (1 blastocyst made it for transfer, but didn't stick; no embryos frozen). It wasn't a particularly traumatic experience, in the sense that nothing went terribly wrong, or I didn't have particularly bad pain or anything like that (no OHSS). But I feel absolutely *dread* at doing a second cycle. In many ways, I'm much more scared than the first time round. Is this normal? How have others experienced subsequent cycles (especially after having nothing to show for the 1st cycle, not even frozen embryos)?

Thank you.

[Franjohn]

Don’t worry, thats also how I felt and I’m sure lots of women. You’re still early in the process and actually the way to look at it is if it fails the consultant will then look at what went wrong and make protocol changes. Go at your own speed, you don’t have to rush into another round yet if you don’t want to. I am about to start round 5!!!! Xxxx

[Tara123456 in reply to Franjohn]

Thanks!

[Mahriya]

Hey, I was exactly in the same position with my first cycle. Ended up with one blastocyst and nothing to freeze and it didn’t stick. I was devastated because at the time I had high expectations from ivf and no one had me prepared for the failure. My second round I felt terrible again but I allowed myself 3 months before going back for the second round. I think I was less upset on my third round and I instantly started thinking what I can do to figure out the next round and what tests I might need to have even if the clinic refuse to suggest anything. Don’t be disheartened, it’s very difficult going through this but it will get easier. I’m certain next round you’ll have much better results. They changed my protocol and I ended up with one to transfer and 3 to freeze. Best of luck ❤️ xx

[Tara123456 in reply to Mahriya]

Thanks! This gives me hope. What did they change in your protocol? xxx

[Mahriya in reply to Tara123456]

I was on ovaleap and my body really didn’t respond well so they changed to menopur on second round and it was so much better. It works for some people the other way around. Usually after the first cycle they can figure out what suits better xx

[Savvy_teapot]

Hi Tara! Totally understand. I am about to start my 2nd Round and trying not to get my hopes up. I had one egg transferred which didn't stick and nothing could be frozen. My eggs weren't mature enough so going to leave them to mature for longer and also I was on Menopur and now changed to Overleap. Although I don't know why just came on here to look up that and saw your post. Fingers crossed the changes make a difference and also the monitoring scans will help to decide changes along the way!!

[Tara123456 in reply to Savvy_teapot]

Fingers crossed for you too! xx

[Marisa32]

I was super naive going into my 1st cycle. I thought IVF was going to solve my problems, so I wasn't nervous but excited. After 10 days on max stims, I haven't responded at all and cycle was canceled. I was in shock. Speaking of having literally nothing to show for it. For the 2nd cycle, I was a lot more nervous because I already knew that with my low AMH and DOR, chances of getting any eggs were minimal. I did get one follicle, which ended up in 5 day blast and BFN. So your feelings are completely normal.

[Tara123456 in reply to Marisa32]

Thanks for sharing. And I'm so glad things worked out for you in the end.

[Traceyyyy]

My first round went exactly the same as yours, one transferred and none to freeze, I was then convinced it would never work, my consultant kept everything the exact same on my next cycle as he said sometimes it just takes a few goes, the only thing different was I stimmed for an extra day, this round resulted in a top grade embryo being transferred which is my little boy and four to freeze, I unfortunately miscarried one of the frozen at nearly 6 weeks but it implanted and I’m now currently 14 weeks with another of the frozen so keep going for some reason some cycles are just more successful than others x

[Tara123456 in reply to Traceyyyy]

Wow! This gives me so much hope. Can't thank you enough for sharing. And congrats on your little boy and with this new little one! So happy for you. x

[Nuszkahope]

I had 5 rounds in total, would not say it gets harder, physically anyway… I still got nervous every time I went but I knew what to expect so it wasn’t bad x the only worry I had each time I went was that it will fail again …

[Future1000]

Hey Tara, I'm on my 4th round currently in my TWW, it gets easier with time, you get stronger. Always remind yourself that it only takes 1 good egg. Don't give up. keeping my fingers crossed for you 🤞🍀

[Tara123456 in reply to Future1000]

Thank you! Fingers crossed for you too!

[Milly2021]

Hi Tara, I think each cycle brings up different issues so you do have to be prepared that something else can just be thrown in the mix, on my first round they found polyps & sadly I had no blastos. A friend said to me knowledge is power, I feel we had to do our own research on nutrition, male fertility tests etc. Wish you all the best, look after yourself x

[Tara123456 in reply to Milly2021]

Thank you! Best wishes to you too! x

[Crazy_girl]

Suggest to take each day as it comes. There will be several uncontrollable variables in this journey. Just keep believing that you will get to the destination. It’s a rollercoaster of a journey. It has clicked sooner for some and a little later for others. It will definitely click for you too. All the best 👍

[Tara123456]

Thanks!

[Bebeth030585]

Hello dont loose hope!! I am exactly the same situation like you.Harvested 10 eggs from me 4 was fertilized only one made to blastocyst with the grade of 4cc that result to bfn . I was so devasted and depress i push away all my friends especially my husband! I just dont want to talk to anyone.At this i have so many questions in my mind if i go to another ivf is it gonna work. So i am emotionally physically mentally and we're financially broke because everything is out of our pocket! At this time im trying to heal all wounds and all the pain .

Take time to recover. I dont know if i am closing the door for ivf but im trying to be happy without kid .as my husband always say God has always a better plan.Trust Him