Hey! My partner and I have been TTC for 3 years with no luck - on paper we are both okay so have been put down as unexplained and went down the IVF route...
First round of IVF we got 11 eggs, 7 mature and 0 fertilised and were told to try ICSI which we did and got 14 eggs, 9 mature and 0 fertilised. Totally heart-breaking and really at a loss with where to go next.
Would love to hear if anyone else has experienced this and if there is any advice you would give to us. We are waiting for our follow up and know that AOA - Oocyte activation is likely to be offered but finding very little information on it out there. Thanks so much ❤️
Written by
FailedFertilisation2
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Yes this is what I was thinking, I think we just have to explore further something doesn't add up does it! How can you be okay on paper but not at all...
This is not an area I know much about TBH but it seems you get a good amount of eggs, of which a good amount are also mature. I would be wanting a more in-depth look at the sperm to assess it as the basic sperm test is not as informative. Clinics can sometimes be inclined to look to an egg problem but sperm is also worth investigating for sure, especially with an issue like this xx
0 fertilization rate twice, especially with ISCI the second time is really a red flag. How much investigation did the clinic do on the sperm before subjecting you to 2 rounds of IVF? Karotype tests or at a minimum DNA frag test on sperm should have been done. These are all non invasive blood tests. Hope they find out some answers soon.
Hi, I’m so sorry you are going through this. I’ve been a very similar situation (see profile for more), and know how frustrating and heartbreaking this can be. I would suggest it’s important to have an open and honest discussion with your consultant to learn more about how both your cycles went, what I found useful was speaking to the embryologist directly to understand the fertilisation process. It can be difficult not having answers but take your time and speak to someone like a counsellor if you feel that might help. Wishing you all the best and happy to chat if you would like to.
Thanks so much I am not sure, I will ask the above question at our follow up - something just doesn't feel right does it. I don't think I can just accept that we won't be able to have a baby of our own... not without any answers! xx
hi so sorry you have experienced this twice this happened to us on first round so I know how devastating it is.Did they give you an explanation after your first round why they thought this happened? For us they said it was a compatibility issue as their observations shown my eggs were rejecting the sperm which is why they suggested icsi to us. We also made some tweaks to protocol for second round such as higher dose of stims and I insisted on a 1000 trigger rather than 500 as I felt my eggs needed that extra boost to mature. Did they keep you on same protocol? Like others have said further tests on sperm would be what I would try before another round and I’ve heard AOA can help but definitely asks to speak to the embryologist and if you can ask the clinic how experienced they were in icsi as this can also play a big part in the success of the icsi process. I really hope you find some answers soon wish you all the luck xxx
I am so sorry to hear it happened to you to, it is heart breaking isn't it. How has it been left for you guys? How are you feeling? Yes so I did do the long protocol, 2 triggers and a slightly high stim dose and ICSI for the 2nd time around. Just doesn't make any sense does it.... x
As a first thing what I would do is to have the follow up and hear consultant opinion and second thing that is more important than first is to run away from that clinic!! You offered them 2 chances in helping you and it didn't work so don't waste your time. In my case I been with one clinic here in UK for 2 rounds with fertilization rate close to 60% when we moved to Spain we had 96% fertilization rate. Chose a clinic that is having good embryologists as they will help you as sometimes vitamins or other things may not change dramatically you chances. Also they will advise you the right tests. My clinic from Spain is not starting any stimulation treatment without a full sperm analysis including DNA and karyotype so embryologists will know which fertilization method to use ICSI, IMCI, PICSI etc... I am really sorry that your are going through such a difficult time 🤗😔♥️ any questions feel free to ask 😉
Thank you so much my love - you are so right we are going to move clinics for sure. Have more investigation and there must be a bloody issue we just need to find out what it is!!!! So yes on to the next - just so hard to get over the initial blow of it, especially when supposedly there is nothing wrong. There obviously is, we just don't know what! How are you getting on with our journey? xx
My journey has come to an end ...I have one year old twins boy and girl...I couldn't be more happier 💕♥️ hope you will follow me soon. Euploid embryos are definitely shortening your way to success 😃❤️🥳
This is very true. Sometimes you feel very vulnerable and like you can not change clinics Or that it won't make a difference... but a change can be just the thing you need. I was also in one clinic for iui and ivf (I did two FET in there). Everything failled. And I read one of Ranchu's comments over changing clinics and i said "why not?", so I took my left over embryos to a new clinic. They did other tests, found other issues, and followed another protocol. I was pregnant by the third time, and much healthier than before. Over the vitamine, the doctor told me to not take any, unless I asked them first and to wait until they approved it. She told me that the quantities in which they are sold in the pharmacies are so high, that they can actually cause fertility issues (she took away omega 3, vitamin c, b, q10, and others. And just left me with vitamin d, follic acid and myoinositol).
100% Karotype and DNA Frag testing is essential here. We had failed fertilisation on round one, and almost on round two (only one available to transfer at day 3) and hubby had high dna frag and an underlying infection that we were passing between us - sorted that and 3rd round got 5 in the freezer at day 5. No baby yet but a lot better results.
So sorry to hear that this has happened to you also, it is riddiculous isn't it! I am glad to hear you have some in the freezer now. How are you coping with it all, where did you go for the DNA frag test? Did they give your partner stuff to help? xx
We went to a holistic clinic near us that offered it, and it was very valuable. We did some further explorations with Jonathan Ramsay, and found varicoceles and an infection, so got medicine to help the infection. Coping is probably the right word, it's very tough process and we've been trying to have a family for 5 years now - doesn't get easier.
I’m so sorry to read this happened to you. We have just had complete icsi fertilisation failure after one round and it is just soul destroying. Have you had some follow up investigations? 💜
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
unexplained infertility 
Unexplained Infertility 
Help - failed fertilisation on IVF and ICSI
Secondary unexplained infertility and IVF
Failed Fertilisation
