Fourth IVF cycle failed what next

[Katya22]

Hi all,

My fourth IVF cycle has failed. I had day 3 grade 2 quality, two embryos transfer, and it has negative outcome. Earlier I had one more day 3 transfer again two were them that too failed however that cycle gave one frozen embryo.

I have a followed-up appointment with my consultant tomorrow eve. What kind of question should I ask?

I don't understand why grade B implantation didn't happen. This month I am completing 41, is it because of my age? or poor egg quality? My AMH was 11 when I started my journey in 2021 Jan.

Shall I repeat one more fresh IVF cycle? Shall I change the doctor?

Shall I consider frozen transfer, though very anxious on this as not sure what's wrong with me and why two transfers had failed.

Is it worth taking risk of frozen embryo transfer at this stage? or think about egg donar or surrogate for frozen transfer?

Is it dead end for me now?

I am so confused, so really appreciate honest answer!

Many thanks

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi Katya. I have sent you a PM. Diane

[Boo718]

I’m so sorry your going through this 😢 have you had the embryos chromosomally tested? I also found the Alice emma and era tests very useful when trying to workout why mine wouldn’t implant xxx

[Katya22 in reply to Boo718]

I had endomitosis and the scar tissue were removed after first failed cycle. But my doctor didn't suggest that test at all. Are these tests for uterus not for embryo, correct? I will ask this to my doc. thank you for writing to me. xxx

[Boo718 in reply to Katya22]

yeh they are for the uterus. Rather than a transfer the doctor would take a biopsy at the same point as they would normally transfer. The tests show if you have any problems with bacteria in the womb, if you have any infections and the era shows when the best time to transfer would be. Most transfers are day 5 my test showed that I needed an extra day on medication and transfer on day 6 as my womb wasn’t ready day 5 xxx

[Katya22 in reply to Boo718]

My doctor was worried that embryo might not survive till day 5 so she has twice suggested to have day 3 transfer which I agreed to with hesitations, sadly.

[Boo718 in reply to Katya22]

we had this on a few rounds the embryo wasn’t looking the best quality. Have you had sperm tested? Xxx I always think if they don’t make it to day 5 they aren’t going to make it. But that’s just personal opinion xxx

[Katya22 in reply to Boo718]

The sperm quality was good hence egss were fertilised properly in all cycles. Sperm count and analysis was good too, there was no concerns in there.

[Boo718 in reply to Katya22]

when we did ours the embryologist said he could tell the egg wasn’t very good quality when they did the icsi not sure if your clinic could give you more information xxx

[Poop84]

I’m so sorry to hear this we have been in a similar situation. I pushed for nk cell testing and anti thyroid bodies immunology level 2 testing. Ask your clinic. Feel the feels. And cry or be Mad if you need to. I always do a counselling session after my failed cycle to reflect back but not always for everyone I guess. Either way pls do look after you and then focus on next steps. Wish you lots of good things for your next step ( whatever they may be xxx)

[Katya22 in reply to Poop84]

Thank you for your reply. I will ask about both of testing. we both are really angry and unfortunately not on the same page and struggling to deal with it! Hopefully follow-up consultation helps us to move forward with at least frozen one!

After the test did you have positive result at the end? How much it did cost you? Was your clinic in UK?

Also, there is a thought to go from UK to India for the treatment, which is fast track, In UK, we noticed it takes ages even in private hospital to get tests done and one cycle is almost costing 8K to 9K! The only drawback at this age going away from UK wil cost significantly on my career.

Any thoughts on going to India for treatment?

Sometimes I feel I am not blessed, what I did to deserve this pain, it's all hard.

Thank you

[Star3129 in reply to Katya22]

Hey Katya sorry to know you are having a tough time,read your concerns about the treatment in India so thought of sharing it with you.

We had a few cycles/transfers in the UK all were bad experience in terms of waiting time, clinic responding time,follow ups you name it and we have done it all. It was so frustrating and we finally decided to do our next treatment in India so we are with a clinic met few docs here then decided where we wana do.

I am in my fet protocol now will go clinic in a few days for my next appointment. If you feel like asking anything about the procedure,time taken or anything feel free to pm. Xx

[Katya22 in reply to Star3129]

Thanks I will pm you. How did you manage work when you started the treatment in India. Which clinic in there? Will send you PM too

I can share the similar frustration here with Uk clinic.

All the very best to for your next appointment!

Xx

[Star3129 in reply to Katya22]

I have sent you pm

[Poop84 in reply to Katya22]

Which clinic are you with?

so we had a double transfer last November got a positive hcg test which ended up in a chemical pregnancy ( signs of positive blood test though) Unfortunately this was transfer number 3 and then we pushed for nk cell testing and level 2 testing . We only have one embryo left and so scared to use it. So I embarked on an embryo freezing cycle with another clinic; and had 3 cycles. One should have been cancelled but they did the egg collection and got no eggs. Out of those 3 cycles I have 4 embryos.

But we want to a last ditch attempt in January and then test them all.

I will have a transfer in March hopefully with the natural killer cell treatment.

If I was you I’d push for the level 2 testing we paid 1200 and then an era test for 1300.

I am Indian /uk born

But we are considering Indian egg donor but maybe next summer. Or if I get no eggs. But do research I have a few clinics I contacted I can send you details if needed. X

I’m 38 so need to figure this out.

good luck and looking forward to your reply x

[Poop84 in reply to Katya22]

you will be blessed when the time

Is right. I believe that baby will pick you x

[Katya22]

I wish you the very best, embryo freezing is really good idea, and you have four which is positive. I willhope you don't need to require egg donar. XX

[Poop84]

pls do consider nk cell testing there’s a tommys clinic who do it for a lot cheaper in Coventry xxx

[Katya22 in reply to Poop84]

I have sent you chat message too.

[Poop84 in reply to Katya22]

just replied x

[Katya22]

Just an update, which someone might find useful.

My doctor is suggesting that the failure of my cycle was due to age, as we age genetically the egg quality gets downgraded specially, when you are over 40; Age 40-42 the chances are less to be pregnant. She is suggesting 20% but every woman is different. In my case slightly less that 20% as I respond poorly to the drugs and give only fewer eggs.

In lay term, she explained, out of 10 cycle I might have 2 successful cycles only.

She is suggesting egg donar route too if finances are not working out. But I am not ready for that yet.... I am thinking to try one more fresh cycle and then try my frozen cycle, and nothing work then I might consider going for egg donor route.

The 10 donated eggs between age 25-33 would cost roughly 10K and cycle cost extra 3K plus meds.

After two years of five cycles, I have put on 10Kg weight, so now weigh 75kg roughly, terrified to check again, so she suggested to lose weight if I could and have meditative approach to be resilient.

Sending you all positivity. xx