So to up date on my situation; my clinic appointment was initially scheduled for next Tuesday but I was so full of anxiety that I could not wait until then and rang them to move it forward if possible.. they did and I was seen today. They discussed my low AHM and needing to have AFC testing. The consultant also informed me that I would likely need a few cycles to get enough eggs. TBH I had considered my options prior to this consult, done my research and had to be realistic that with my low AMH and my age being against me my best chance of conceiving would be with donor eggs.
If my age was not a factor and I had low AMH I would defo go down the IVF route with my own eggs but honestly this is not the most realistic option for me. I am also conscious that I could waste precious time trying to gather enough eggs only to be disappointed if they don’t fertilise/are not viable.
I have came to terms with the option of using donor eggs, I am just happy to have an option available to me that has the greatest chance of success.
So here is my question - are there any tests that I should be asking my clinic to do prior to implantation (hoping we get that far🤞) to reduce the risk of miscarriage or of the embryo being rejected? Thanks for all the support.xx
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Rain11
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That’s great that they brought your appointment forward for you and helped settle your nerves! It’s sounds like you have given it a lot of thought and it’s good that you have a plan in place! I have a low AMH for my age but my bigger problem is my AFC. My ovaries just do not want to give up their eggs. I’m going for one more egg collection (my 4th), and if that doesn’t work then it will be donor eggs. I’m 36 and started ivf at 34, it’s been an incredibly hard journey, and the constant disappointment that comes with a poor response I often question whether I should’ve gone straight to donor eggs.
Thanks for the reply. I can only imagine the difficult joirney and heart ache you have experienced. I have never had treatment so I am not sure how I would have responded. Due to my low AMH and my age I can only assume that my egg quality is poor. Based on the statistics and the experiences from people here and the fact I wasn’t conceiving naturally I didn’t want to risk having a number of IVF cycles and possibly failing to produce any viable embryos. As I started this journey later then most I can’t afford to lose any more time.
Having said this if I had embarked on this journey at 34 I would have definitely made the same decision as you did. It is definitely worth it to try with your own eggs when you have time on your side. For me and my partner the decision to use donor eggs wasn’t that difficult really. It is a chance to become parents which we would be so blessed if it were to happen. To me it is another option and ray of hope which I will cling to.
I wish you all the luck with your 4th collection.Xx
Hi Rain11, I am doing an ERA on Monday. This test helps the clinic judge how many days to be on progesterone before a transfer ensuring that the endometrial lining is in a ‘receptive’ state. Might be one for you to consider.
I’m not doing a NK cell test as I will take blood thinners and steroids to help implantation.
I’m also going to be prescribed anti-biotics for my FET and will do a progesterone test the day after transfer to ensure I’m on enough.
I’m also taking a higher dose of progesterone than standard- 3 x utrogestan pessaries and 1x Lubion injection, daily
All these strategies are because I’ve had two failed transfers and we are throwing the kitchen sink at my next one. I’ve no know medical issues, just in a same sex relationship so my wife doesn’t make good sperm :)!
Thank you so much for the feedback and I will take it all on board and talk to my clinic about the tests you mentioned . It seems to me that from what I have researched and from talking to my clinic they do basic tests and hormone checks prior to transfer and if the transfer fails it seems only then they will do additional tests to determine why that is the case. Is cost the reason they wouldn’t do the full range of tests to ensure every chance of a successful transfer. I would hate to have one or two transfers fail only then to have further tests to explore the reason why instead of having these tests done from the outset. It is just good to get an idea of what tests are available that may identify possible transfer issues early on when there could possibly be something done to increase the chance of success.
I have heard of an NK cell test. This may sound stupid but would I be able to have it done or would I also have to be o thinners/steroids or is that your specific plan?
I will have further consultation with my clinic about all this but it is good to get an idea of wat issues to address with them.
From what I understood from my Consultant the NK Cells test checks to see if you have high natural killer cells that may reject the embryo as a foreign body. If you have a high reading then you will be prescribed blood thinners and steroids to take during transfer and for the weeks after depending on BFP. The risk of taking steroids is that 1 in 1000 babies can be born with a cleft pallet.
I didn’t want to go ahead with the test because I’m willing to take the 1/1000 risk so saving around £500. Also, my logic was, if the test came back elevated but not high they might not prescribe the drugs and I’ve known the drugs help remove risk of NK implantation rejection so without the test I’ll get the drugs anyway. Hope that makes sense.
It's great that you have done a lot of research, it'll really help you to ask the right questions of your doctor.
In terms of tests, there are so many and if they weren't so expensive we'd have them at the get go. Normally it depends on how long you've been trying to get pregnant before you got to ivf, whether you've had children before or been pregnant in the past, as this is an indication that your body is capable of conceiving or not.
if you've never been pregnant, but tried for years, it could be an implantation issue, so you might want to test your immune response or nk cell test, also thrombophilia test, ERA, Emma and Alice. You can have a hysteroscopy to check for anything obstructing the uterus and there is a test which makes sure your tubes are not blocked. All of that is pretty full on and expensive. I'm having to have it all now, 3 years down the line, after 4 rounds of ivf and 5 transfers and now I'm moving to donor.
If you want to test egg quality you can have your embryos tested, although if you don't produce many they probably won't do this, as there is a risk in doing the test, so they'll probably just transfer what you have.
lots of people read "it starts with an egg", as there is a huge amount of information on diet and supplements too.
Thanks so much for the reply and useful information. I will definitely discuss it with my doctor. I have had a hysteroscopy completed and there are no issues. As I will be using donor eggs and my partners sperm my clinic said there is no need to check my tunes.
I have been pregnant in the past with no issues.. my son is 12. What is against me now is my age so likely poor egg quality and low AMH.
As I am using donor eggs and my partners sperm do you think I should get the embryo (hopefully we get that far🤞) tested prior to transfer?
I wish you all the best with you decision to use donor. In my opinion It is a ray of hope to realising your dream.xx
hiya I would definately go for the era alice and Emma tests I would also pgt the embryos even though donor we had 4 top quality embryos and they were all abnormal xxx
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