Stage 4 Endo and IVF

[Jodes-2018]

good evening ladies… so, my first round of IVF hasn’t been successful yet, here I am planning ahead. I have one frozen embryo left and my clinic really want to transfer possibly in January. Now, after a successful medicated cycle ie, actually creating two embryos which I didn’t think I could get that far, I’m wondering if anybody has any advice on what or anything I could take to supported my uterus receptivity? Any supplements I could be taking from now? I’m very new to IVF and fertility after years of being skeptic of how or if my body could create such a miracle.

many advice please? Xx

[Trying1234]

Hi Jodes

Have you discussed changes to meds for this transfer? My first transfer didn’t work, so my progesterone was upped for my second transfer - from 2 progesterone pessaries to 3 pessaries and lubion injection.

I think for my second transfer I tried to do less, for the first I did acupuncture and stuff like that for the second I took out as much busy activity out of my life as possible

I have everything crossed for you

[Jodes-2018 in reply to Trying1234]

To be honest, they said they don’t want to change anything meds wise. I was on 3 progesterone pessaries daily. They didn’t mention lubion. The only thing they’ve said is that, I need to start doing ovulation tests, if I get a positive LH they will do a natural cycle if not, they will do a medicated cycle with oestrogen injections to try to help my lining. However, I’m still sceptical especially with how much it triggers my Endo

My first transfer was quite traumatic, I have a forward tilting uterus then it flipped so as you can imagine I want to try anything to keep it settled.

I’ve had 5 weeks off work and took it easy as I’m usually very active so maybe I need to try normality this time? It’s so tough isn’t it xx

[Roobs33]

heya,

I’m sorry that your first hasn’t worked. I have stage 4 endo also which was operated on at the end of 2020. My first round I got two embryos, first one didn’t work and second sadly resulted in a very early miscarriage which they suggested was due to egg quality. The first transfer I felt very inflamed from the medication and in pain that I didn’t feel surprised by the outcome. For the FET I found it much easier on the body, although the progesterone makes me very tired. I also did acupuncture for around this transfer to help with implantation.

At the beginning I had paid for a multi cycle package so after the first one failed, I was desperate for the second time to work. I went to an endo/fertility nutritionist that put me on supplements and gave me tips to follow an anti inflammatory diet. I also took up running and did the acupuncture again. The clinic also recommended an EMMA test which checks the uterus for infection. I didn’t have an infection but they recommended canesflor pessaries to get the balance in the uterus right in the lead up to the cycle, so you could ask about those maybe? My husband also had further DNA fragmentation testing, which thankfully came back ok, but this and the Emma test was done mainly due to the miscarriage so probably wouldn’t be suggested at this stage.

My second round has thankfully worked so far and I’m 20 weeks now. I also got less eggs collected this time (5) and 3 made it to embryo stage. The first round I got 6, and only 2 made it. I’m not sure what made the difference or if it was a combination or a coincidence. I also drank lots of warm pomegranate juice, ate goji berries and lots of watercress! I became a bit obsessed but was being super healthy! Although I did have the odd bit of dark chocolate and the nutritionist even said red wine was ok!

Wishing you loads of luck for your FET. Sorry for the long winded reply and feel free to ask any questions. Xxx

[Jodes-2018 in reply to Roobs33]

Thank you so much for your response. I’m going to start a huge health kick now, yeah they haven’t offered anything other than… Starting from now I have to do ovulation tests which will determine if they are going to do a natural transfer or start medicating me before transfer

I’m also going to start a health kick nutritional wise, thanks for that pom juice here I come! I suppose I knew that this first round was going to be tough I just didn’t expect the stress it caused my body it was quite traumatic

Awww congratulations 💛🥰 And thank you for your response. Did acupuncture help you to relax? Xx

[Roobs33]

I found the acupuncture really helpful in quite a few ways. It helped to regulate my cycles, it also helped with my endo pain & it was really relaxing. It was really helpful to be able to talk to someone about everything too. If you go to a fertility acupuncturist they can time everything around your cycle and transfer. It’s definitely not for everyone but for me I found it really helpful xx

[Jodes-2018 in reply to Roobs33]

Ok thank you. It’s so strange I was so sceptical pre treatment and didn’t think I could at least create an embryo so now that I know I can my mindset has completely changed and this is something that I am determined will happen.

I’ll look into the above thank you xxx