DE Embryo FET - 2nd failed :(

[JenRoy]

Just looking for a bit of solidarity and advice.

Our 1st DE embryo transfer ended in a MMC in October discovered at our viability scan. It was a 5AA embryo which stopped growing around 5.5 weeks. It was utterly devastating.

We have just had a BFN from our 2nd DE embryo transfer. It was a 4AB embryo. All scans were fine, good thick lining and uneventful embryo transfer.

I’ve got a 3yr old from my own egg IVF in 2018 when I was 39 yrs old. So I know I can get pregnant and maintain a pregnancy.

But I don’t know where to go from here. We want to go for our 3rd transfer in the next few months. Our consultants previously agreed that we could do a double transfer if our 2nd attempt failed.

Our donor is 24 years old. We have 7 frozen embryos left.

I had a hysteroscopy and polyp removal earlier this year.

I’ve never had EMMA/ALICE tests but haven’t felt it’s warranted.

My consultant has also suggested possibly considering Aspirin and Clexane on next attempt

I’ve been thinking see a nutritionist and re-start acupuncture

I’ve never had an ERA or my progesterone levels checked but I’ve had x2 BFPs so am guessing my implantation window etc are ok?

I’d be grateful for any thoughts. Everyone around me is pregnant, friends, sister (IVF), my husbands cousin (IVF) and even some ladies I’ve met who are doing DE treatment. And here we are with more failure.

So fed up of this soul destroying fertility treadmill 😥. I’m struggling to pick myself up each time

Thanks for reading ❤️‍🩹

[Millbanks]

Oh love. I’m so sorry to read this. It is so heartbreaking 💔 I would suggest low dose steroids as well as clexane. Even with a previous successful pregnancy you can develop high NK cells and steroids do seem to help.

It was definitely the key for us on our 6th transfer.

Sending much love to you xx

[JenRoy in reply to Millbanks]

Thank you. Really appreciate your thoughts xx

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi JenRoy. So sorry to hear all this and I hope you've been having plenty of support. I wass going to suggest trying low dose soluble aspirin and/or heparin to help prevent clot formation and ensure even blood flow to the womb and lining. You would get the usual progeserone support too. make sure you get some counselling too if available. the is a charity called the "British Infertility Counselling Association" who just deal with all ferti;ity problems and relationships while going through treatment. bica.net There is a charge, but they are good at what they do. Keepan eye on the Home Page of our website fertilitynetworkuk.org for things going on including coping with Christmas. Hoping that next time is your time. Diane

[JenRoy in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you Diane. I appreciate your advice. I think my consultant will recommend aspirin and LMWH. I’ve been seeing a counsellor for a while but have not really focused too much on the fertility stuff. Maybe I should. Was feeling so hopeful in the summer pre-1st transfer.

[AuroraXen]

So sorry Jen. It's soul-destroying when these transfers fail. I can imagine it's even more frustrating when you're using a using donor - somehow you think (or I do, anyway!) that with DE you should pretty much be guaranteed success 😫 But of course it doesn't always hold. I'm glad you got such a good number of frosties from your donor but I completely understand the impact on you of every failed transfer. I think I agree, seems like implantation isn't generally an issue for you, so maybe ERA isn't necessary... Testing progesterone levels is relatively simple so I'd definitely try that next time. Sorry you're dealing with this xx

[Maisie234]

Like the other comments, DE worked for me when I was on prednisolone steroid, clexane and extra progesterone. I had one failed DE and then the second round with the steroid it worked. I'm so sorry you didn't get there this time, but I'm sure next time it will work. X

[Miracle43 in reply to Maisie234]

Hi Maisie, can I ask what dosage of prednisolone you were on? Xx

[Maisie234 in reply to Miracle43]

I think it was 10mg/day, a low dose. But I wish they'd given me that from the start of all my rounds of IVF. I think being a bit older as well (43 then, 44 now) it really helped. I didn't have any side effects apart from feeling much better, like my old knees weren't as sore!, I swear it reduced my body attacking anything. That and progesterone worked. Good luck X

[Miracle43]

I’m so sorry you are going through this xx

[Shirazlover2013]

Hi JenRoy, I’m so sorry that you’re having to go through this disappointment (again!). You certainly know your way round the IVF / fertility treatment process so I won’t try to offer any specific to thoughts on that. I hope you’re working with a good consultant on your journey, one that is rooting for you and one that you can bounce ideas around with. But I am here in solidarity, a fellow veteran of failures including DE fails 🤜🏻 🤛🏻. It’s frustrating when you’ve had success previously but can’t seem to recreate that magic again! I can actually see some positives in your post, you’ve done all the testing and preparation and you have a high number of embryos in the freezer, on the face of it signs look strong for a good outcome long term. But I know it doesn’t take away this weeks pain and disappointment. The treadmill is exhausting isn’t it!! It sounds like you’re not done yet though….. come the new year you will have rested, recovered some motivation and be ready to step up to the plate once more I think. I’m always rooting for you xxoo

[JenRoy in reply to Shirazlover2013]

Thanks for your lovely and supportive message. So kind and means a lot xx