Zero fertilisation

[Fairylights89]

Hi guys,

Looking for advice or experience. We had a second fresh cycle, got 6 eggs, 3 mature but found out this morning that none fertilised. I’m heartbroken. We had a fresh round last year and got 5 embryos from ICSI, 2 resulted in pregnancy but miscarriages.

I’m just so heartbroken that this new cycle has achieved nothing, is this the end of the road for me?

I’m 32-low ovarian reserve, partner has male factor also

[DianeArnold]

Hi Fairylights. So sorry to read this and I do hope you've got plenty of support around you just now. Might be an idea to have a sperm DNA fragmentation test done, if not already done so, before moving on to ICSI again. Hopefully they can manipulate your cycle a little differently when you're ready to try again. Thinking of you. Diane

[Fairylights89 in reply to DianeArnold]

Thank you Diane, I will definitely be asking about this at my review x

[Rol81]

I’m so sorry this cycle didn’t work for you. It must be devastating. Don’t give up , although it didn’t work out , you did get pregnant so it is possible.

Im sending you a virtual hug and wishing you so much luck xxx

[Fairylights89 in reply to Rol81]

Thank you so much x

[LizzieBW]

Hi Fairylights,

So sorry you're in this situation. We were there this time last year, with zero fertilisation out of 18 mature eggs! We were not anticipating this at all so it completely blew us away and hit hard. I felt a sense of hopelessness and we found it so hard to process. I wanted firm answers as to why and as you'll know now yourself, even the experts can't ever say exactly why.

We don't have any known male factor issues but I have low AMH and other gynae issues. Another round with ICSI later resulted in 22 mature eggs and the outcome was a drastic turnaround - we ended up with 7 high grade embryos, 6 were frozen on day 6 and 1 was transferred and I'm now +35 weeks pregnant.

I'm afraid I don't have any advice regarding your miscarriages and so sorry for your losses but wanted to say definitely do not give up hope after your TFF round. Xx

[Fairylights89 in reply to LizzieBW]

Wow congrats that’s amazing. Thanks for your lovely reply, this has actually given me hope today. I wasn’t expecting it at all even though I always knew it was a possibility. Will be seeing the consultant this week so hopefully have a new plan 🙏🙏 thank you again x

[LizzieBW in reply to Fairylights89]

You sound incredibly brave and it's such a positive sign you're already focused on thinking about next steps. Good luck for your consultant appointment. I bet you'll feel even better once you've spoken to the experts 💛 xx

[username9333]

So sorry to hear this. This has happened to me before with icsi and is devastating. My clinic then recommended calcium activation when doing icsi and the next time the eggs fertilised. May not be suitable for everyone but perhaps worth asking about x

[Fairylights89 in reply to username9333]

Thank you for that, I will definitely ask about it! I’m sorry this happened to you too. I hope you’re doing well xx

[Loveheart6]

I had 9 eggs all mature and only one fertilised due to sperm problems. Apparently they couldn’t piece the eggs. I was very lucky that one fertilised and that one went on to be my miracle and I’m 20 weeks pregnant. I guess I’m saying it only takes one … I only had one egg. Keep going . Sending you so much love x

[Fairylights89 in reply to Loveheart6]

That’s amazing, congrats. Thanks for this, it’s giving me hope x

[Neom87]

Hey, so sorry to read this. We had our first ever IVF cycle in November where we also got zero fertilisation. I was really shocked and heartbroken too. I knew it was a possibility but chances are so small didn’t think it would be us! I’m away to start a new cycle next month, they’ve changed the protocol from short to long and ICSI rather than IVF, so I’m praying these changes work for us. I’ve read things can vary massively cycle to cycle so I definitely wouldn’t give up hope. As you said you got 5 embryos last year, I would take hope from that! Thinking of you and hope you get some answers from your review xx

[Fairylights89 in reply to Neom87]

Best of luck with your next cycle! I’m sorry this happened to you too, keeping everything crossed it goes well next time xx

[Hoping20]

Hi there, so sorry to hear your recent cycle hasn’t worked. And also I’m very sorry about your previous two losses...it’s truly heartbreaking. I know you must be feeling lots of different emotions right now. I hope you have some support around you. Regarding your follow up, I too would also mention the sperm DNA fragmentation test. It might also be worth while reading the book “it starts with an egg” if you haven’t already done so. It recommends diet and supplement tips together with minor life style tweaks. I hope you feel more positive after your follow up. Take care x

[Fairylights89 in reply to Hoping20]

I have just ordered that book, thank you!! And will ask about sperm dna fragmentation, that seems to be coming up a lot. Thank you xxx

[Rhubarb5]

Hello,I'm very sorry, it is challenging. Just wanted to say you are not alone. Our story is not quite the same but has similarities - we have done 2 fresh cycles, the first resulted in ectopic pregnancy and the second failed to implant. Both times no blasts for the freezer. I am 34 and have low AMH. We also have male factor, although we are using donor sperm as we have severe male factor. Now the problem seems to be my eggs and I'm wondering how many more fresh cycles I can take. On the other hand I know we have got an embryo in the past so I think it is worth another shot. I don't want to change clinic but I have decided to change doctor - I read all the bios on the website for my clinic and we are going with someone who specialises in low ovarian reserve. I've got my follow up in a couple of weeks so I'm hoping he will be able to give some more insight. Wishing you the best on your journey. xx

[Fairylights89 in reply to Rhubarb5]

Thank you so much, im sorry for everything you’ve been through, you sound so strong. Hoping your follow up gives you answers too xx

[jengi]

Oh lovely, I’m so sorry. Life is so cruel. I’ve experienced similar devastation. I also have low ovarian reserve. Give yourself time to grieve this & when you are ready get a new plan in place. Counselling really helped me. I did it weekly for months. Don’t give up, there are always options & things that can be tweaked. But for now be kind to yourself and each other. Please don’t ever give up on your dream. Sending big hugs Xx 😘

[Fairylights89 in reply to jengi]

Thanks for such kind words ❤️❤️ Will def be looking into counselling and focusing on minding myself and hubby for the foreseeable. Thank you xx

[Sweethear]

So sorry for what happened to you. I too have zero fertilisation in December with ivf icsi I have a very low amh and I took a lot of supplements for 9 months before that to improve my eeg quality but it did not help now am very scared to start again because of the unknown I started talking Dhea 25mg 3 times a day this time since end December to see if it will help with my next eeg collection in April or so that will be my last try as I will be 43 years old in June I also had eeg collection in November 2 EEG’s where collected 1 fertilised but did not make it to transfer

[Fairylights89 in reply to Sweethear]

I’m so sorry you’ve been through such a hard time, thank you for your reply, it’s helpful to know I’m not alone. Keeping everything crossed things work out for you x