Onto IVF... What did you wish you knew/did before starting?

[pickle19]

Hi all,

Had a negative HPT this morning following our second IUI (I expected it but still 💔). Our clinic wants to move us onto IVF next. It feels mad, I'm 30 and in theory 'only' have PCOS - when we started treatment in January 2021 we were told we'd only need a little bit of help (Clomid) and now we're here...

I think I'm ok with it as I want some answers about egg quality and I'm not sure of the point of more cycles of hope and disappointment with IUI success rates as low as they are.

But the main q I have is - what do you wish you'd known or done before starting IUI?

We're having a month off to recalibrate so we have some time 🙏

Thanks!! And wishing you all well.

[Jrss1]

Hi Pickle, I wish I had done all the tests I have done now after many IVF cycles. I would advise everyone who are having problems to do them before starting. It will save time and upset in the end. My one stand out problem are very raised NK cells. I’m on medication now for the last month and I’ll continue until next month where I will try another round. I wish you all the best. You have time on your side so don’t worry too much. xx

[pickle19 in reply to Jrss1]

Thanks so much, I'll look into the testing my clinic offers! Good luck with your next round ❤️

[soccerkt6]

Hi lovely

I agree with Jrss1 that if I had to change one thing I would have done more investigations upfront. IVF is tough but you hugely increase your chances for success if you go into it with as much information as possible and investigations already done. If nothing has been flagged so far during the standard fertility work-ups for you and your partner, I would move on to some other (private) tests like sperm DNA fragmentation for your partner.

Regarding your PCOS - have you been advised by any doctors to take myo-inositol? It's a supplement that can improve the insulin resistance associated with PCOS, help regulate cycles and ovulation, and improve egg quality. If you're not taking it already I would highly recommend starting asap. Inofolic Alpha is a good brand.

Best of luck! xx

[pickle19 in reply to soccerkt6]

Thank you for your reply, so helpful 🙏 I'm on myoinositol yes and a whole bunch of supplements recommended by my nutritionist. Feel like I rattle around! X

[IVFat40 in reply to pickle19]

That's really great hun, I was just about to say I wish I'd known to see a nutritionist, get on a fertility diet, and a supplements regime, well before starting my first cycle, but it sounds like you're way ahead of me! Good luck hun

[IVFat40 in reply to IVFat40]

You may already have it but the book 'It starts with the egg' can be helpful (if a little full on)

[dexy1389]

Hi pickle,

I agree with Jrss1 100%.. I would highly suggest doing all the possible tests, before going into an IVF cycle.. It seems that doctors always want to “ try” and if it fails then start investigating more deeply.. I would always suggest the other way around.. meaning, for you: tests for thrombophilia, thyroid, NK cells, etc.. and for your partner- DNA fragmentation test..,good luck🍀 p.s. I’m here if you have any questions..

[pickle19 in reply to dexy1389]

Thanks dexy - super helpful. I agree they always seem to give things a go and then investigate. Which is why we've wasted 7 shots at Clomid with no real understanding of what might be going on 🤦‍♀️

[Haf05]

As everyone else says - more upfront tests, in particular for NK cells (particularly if you already have an auto-immune condition, as i did) and DNA fragmentation.

I also wish i had also been better informed about the process, and all the hurdles before you even get to the stage of having an embryo transfer: (i) responding appropriately to stimulation; (ii) getting a decent number of eggs; (iii) fertilisation rate; (iv) embryo development; (v) and if you have an FET, the embryo surviving the thaw.

Our fertility is unexplained. In our first cycle, i had problems with the first (the cycle was cancelled) and in our second, we had problems with (iii), (iv) and (v). It was all the more devastating because i hadn't expected these issues and had just assumed that i would have an embryo to transfer at the end of the process.

All the best x

[AuroraXen in reply to Haf05]

I really agree with this! I think my expectations going into my first IVF round were just ridiculous, looking back. I didn't really understand about realistic numbers of eggs for my age (though you're still young so that isn't as relevant!). But also knowing simple things going in, like the fact that not all follicles will yield eggs, not all eggs will be mature, not all mature eggs will fertilise, and not all the embryos you get on day 1 will make it to day 5, etc etc. But it sounds like you're already way more clued-up than I was pickle19 ! xx

[pickle19 in reply to AuroraXen]

Thanks Aurora and Haf05 - really helps to have those different stages set out. It just feels impossible sometimes, I'm starting to question how anyone gets pregnant naturally?!

And thanks for sharing what issues you faced. Hope things are a bit more positive now? ❤️

[ChiefStew]

I echo everyone's comments about DNA fragmentation testing and would also recommend getting advice about supplementing from your consultant. It starts with the egg is a helpful resource.

[Patches86]

Agree on doing as many tests as you can financially afford upfront! Best of luck!