5th failed transfer

[strawberriesandcream]

Hi all - my fifth transfer (from my 3rd collection) has just failed. This is the first time I have taken prednisone 25mg, had intralipids and humira injections. I was sure we had found the real cause of failed implantation and my 2 miscarriages but now I am not so sure.

Our embryos have always been good quality, I am 35 and my partner is 32. We have never tested them but as our successful transfer ended as a MMC we did karotype testing which came back clear.

I haven’t had an era but other than that I’m not sure what else is left? Is it literally a numbers game from here?? Would like to hear from anyone who had success following 5 failures to get a bit of insight into what else to we could do.

Transfers in total have been 2 fresh failed, 2 frozen failed, 1 frozen success but ended in MMC at 10+5 (baby died around 9 weeks).

I have also achieved a natural pregnancy that ended in a miscarriage. I only have one tube due to having a unicornuate uterus (I know this can be a factor in success as well)

Thanks x

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi strawberries and cream. So sorry to hear this, but the HFEA hfea.gov.uk aren't too keen in their "Treatment Add-ons" section. Perhaps ask about heparin and extra progesterone and see what your specialist says - if you haven't already tried them. I really do hope a solution is found for you both and for success. Thinking of uou. Diane

[strawberriesandcream in reply to DianeArnold]

Thanks Diane. I’ve tried both for 3 transfers now and it still hasn’t worked. Feel forced to look at alternative add ons for that reason. I just wish there was an answer!

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to strawberriesandcream]

Hi. Oh me too! We need some magic Blutak! Thi king of you. Diane

[Bookbroad]

I thought I’d say hello. I don’t have much advice but I’m in a similar position. 4 failed transfers, currently in the 2 week wait with my 5th. All FET’s due to OHSS. 1 Fallopian tube down following an ectopic - my only success from before IVF. We have some male factors but those have been overcome with ICSI, otherwise considered to be in the excruciatingly unhelpful category of ‘unexplained infertility’. All our embryos have been good quality, I’ve had a scatch, I’ve just finished a course of doxycycline, in case I had some underlying unknown infection. I’ve been on blood thinners and extra progesterone these last 3 FETs. My clinic have no further recommendations beyond those which are considered Red on HFEA so we’ve stayed clear. We’ll opt for embryo testing if we have to have another full round. Anyways, just wanted to say hello and if you need some support fromSomeone who knows send me a message. It’s a horrible place, feeling like you’ve exhausted options, and all that’s left is to keep trying and hoping one will stick. We’ve tried the same protocol over a few transfers just in case it was right but the embryo wasn’t - hasn’t helped but maybe one day it will. Thinking of you and hope you feel like you are able to find a way forward that you are happy and optimistic about xx

[strawberriesandcream in reply to Bookbroad]

Thanks for the reply - sorry to hear you’re having a tough time of it too! Good luck for your fifth one - let me know how it goes. Your success will give me hope ❤️

[Elle_hope]

Wishing you every success - keep going. As Diane suggested maybe talk about heparin and extra progesterone. Here is my summary - I hope it gives you hope.

Pregnant naturally - MC at 7 weeks

Fresh transfer - bfn

Frozen transfer- bfn

Frozen transfer - bfp (our daughter)

Frozen transfer - bfp - chemical

Frozen transfer - bfn

Frozen transfer - bfp (our son) - heparin and extra progesterone in this cycle

So out of 6 transfers we had 4 pregnancies and 2 babies x x x

[strawberriesandcream in reply to Elle_hope]

Thanks for the message! I’ve used blood thinners and Lubion for the last 4 transfers so already tried that sadly! Those stats are useful - that is in line with what I’d expect for good embryos. Think that’s why I’m struggling as only 1/5 has resulted in a positive test xx

[Elle_hope in reply to strawberriesandcream]

I actually meant to say also that for our transfer where we got pregnant with our daughter we transferred two embryos so technically we have had a hit rate of 8 embryos = two babies.

From the first egg collection we got 6 embryos and one baby.

Then the second egg collection we did PGA testing, so the issue for us, I think, was the majority of embryos were not viable, but there were viable ones there nonetheless.

Do you have any in the freezer or do you have to go again?

Sending so much positivity. It’s easy to feel deflated but you got this! X x x

[Mudra85]

Hi strawberriesandcream,

Firstly, I'm so sorry that your recent transfer didn't work and for everything you've been through.

I think testing your embryos is a good option, as this will at least be diagnostic in ruling out chromosomal issues with any future embryos you transfer.

If you've not had one already, then it may be worth having a saline infusion sonogram (SIS) to check for any uterine scarring, adhesions, fibroids, polyps etc. It sounds as though you may have already had something like this if you know you have an unicornuate uterus.

Another thing that may be worth ruling out is a hydrosalpinx (fluid leaking out of a fallopian tube, which can increase the risk of pregnancy loss). This can be checked with an ultrasound, HSG or laparoscopy.

I'm sure there are others here who will have had similar experiences to yourself who'll be able to provide you with much more helpful information on what else might be worth considering. X

[strawberriesandcream in reply to Mudra85]

Thanks for the reply. I’ve had a saline scan and also a hysteroscopy so think I’m covered for what we can do there. I will enquire about the fluid in tube though! TReally appreciate your reply xx

[Mudra85 in reply to strawberriesandcream]

Wishing you all the best with everything x

[Missy-T]

Hi Strawberriesandcream.

I'm really sorry to hear this, I know how devastating it is when you put so much hope and effort into this.

I just wanted to ask, if your partner is male, has he had tests done? After 6 miscarriages and failed ICSI i did a lot of research and found that dna fragmentation can cause miscarriages and failed implantation. My husband had this test done after 4 years of us thinking the problem is with me and turns out he had 36% dna frag in dec 21. He repeated this test last month and it is even worse.

So please investigate that side of things as well.

Wishing you all the best x

[strawberriesandcream in reply to Missy-T]

Thanks for the reply. Yes we have done DNA frag testing and he came back as normal. He still took impryl for this round anyway to help boost. Sorry to hear about all your losses - really hope you have a good plan ahead of you xx