Where to go from here…

[Bonaire12]

Good Morning

Just come back from my consultation after a failed transfer.

I have had 2 cycles, 3 transfers and no positive tests. We also have male fertility issues, so have done ICSI.

Consultant was pretty blunt tbh, didn’t sugar coat anything. Told me to get bloods etc done again to check autoimmune, follicle count and AMH again . We spoke about one more cycle and the n considering donor eggs. I am 40, my AMH is 11. He’s said the egg count will only go down from here (great)

I’m not really sure what I want from this post… I guess maybe others in a similar situation!? He basically said with my own eggs 10% chance… with donor eggs 40% chance! X

[Gerbear22]

Hi there.We were only given a less than 10% chance of ivf working for us and I am now 35 weeks pregnant with our rainbow baby.At the time of transfer I was 40 with Amh of 7.6 with low ovarian reserve,endometriosis and under active thyroid.With both cycles we were told donor egg would be our best chance as well but we were determined to use my own eggs even though I only got 5 eggs from the 2 cycles but we got 4 embryos.Did double transfers both times and thankfully our little miracle stuck.Xx

[Hidden]

Thinking of you - difficult decision to make Hope you have people around you for support For more information about donor eggs take a look at hfea.gov.uk Explore fertility treatments and scroll to Using a donor

Take care

Janet

[MyPatronusIsACorgi]

In a slightly similar situation in regards to how many failed cycles and transfers you’ve had. We’re doing PGT-M & PGT-A testing with our embryos to rule out a genetic condition.

My age is different (I’m 30) but my AMH a year ago was 13 and is probably lower since then. My consultant recommended I should go on DHEA and CoEnzyme Q10 supplements for a minimum of 3 months before starting our final round. Some studies have shown these supplements can improve egg quality and quantity in certain cases. Maybe they are worth considering with your next round?

For us as it’s our last NHS funded round, we want to try anything to make this work for us as we don’t know if we could cope with doing it naturally - if I fall pregnant naturally, at the 12 week mark the genetic test is done. and due to an agreement beforehand to even have the test done, if the result is positive it is suggested that we terminate the baby and the chances of the baby having the condition is 50/50. IVF for us is the only way to avoid that heartbreak, but even so we’ve dealt with 3 failed embryo transfers…it’s a mentally and physically draining process.

Be kind to yourself during all of this but try not to lose hope 🤍 x

[Axel131 in reply to MyPatronusIsACorgi]

Hi MyPatronusiIsACorgi, I'm also doing PGT-M, not in the UK though but I didn't realise that there was any genetic condition where you would by law have to have a termination. That's quite shocking! It's a lot for you to be dealing with. I hope you're doing ok with the process, I know how much PGT-M further complicates this process. I was on those supplements for my last IVF and it was my most successful to date blastocyst wise but still waiting on my last transfer (after 2 unsuccessful ones) to see if it was successful overall. Hoping your time comes soon!

[MyPatronusIsACorgi in reply to Axel131]

My apologies I used the wrong terminology in my initial comment. They only will carry the test out if they are certain that we would terminate if the result was positive…just found out that if however you change your mind they cannot enforce the termination. (Will edit my previous comment to avoid any other confusion).

It’s comforting to hear that your round with being on the supplements is your more success in regards to blastocysts. Have my fingers crossed for you for your final transfer.

I’m doing the best I can at present, it’s been a long road to get here and the extension of time to start again is frustrating but hoping it’ll all be worth it in the end x

[Axel131 in reply to MyPatronusIsACorgi]

No apologies needed, I just thought women's reproductive rights were taking a hit again so glad to hear it although it's still crap you have to even consider it at all. Yes I completely get the exhaustion travelling this road but fingers crossed for both of us that it will completely be worth it in the end xx

[Bonaire12 in reply to MyPatronusIsACorgi]

Thank you for your reply and sorry to hear what you are going through also.

We want to do PGT testing, but unfortunately the last round we didn’t get enough blastocysts to test :/ we did transfer 2 but it was suggested they were not suitable to freeze and test.

I’m on the COQ10 and I’ve heard of the DHEA but I’ve not been recommended for this. Where do you buy it from? My consultant was quite stern in saying “you can try different supplements etc but we have to work with the fruits that Mother Nature had given us” in other words… they probably won’t make much difference! Quite a controversial view I guess, one I won’t fully take on board. As I feel we have to try everything right!!

I hope you’re doing well xx

[MyPatronusIsACorgi in reply to Bonaire12]

I’m sorry to hear what you’ve been going through too

I bought my DHEA from Bioeva as recommended by my clinic (doc said to take 25mg 3x a day). If you do buy it I highly suggest paying for the premium shipping as it insures your parcel. DHEA is considered a class C drug in the UK, so there is a chance it can be seized by customs. With the premium shipping the company will cover the cost of the parcel if it is destroyed - It’s just a good safety net to have.

I think it’s down to luck as to what clinics recommend as I’ve seen a few people on here mention a variety of suggestions from their clinics. My previous clinic only ever mentioned folic acid and vit D as a supplement, whereas now my new clinic suggested the latest ones I’m taking.

And as exactly with what you said, anyone going through this journey will want to try anything to increase their chances of success!

I’m doing the best I can atm, thank you for asking. I do feel quite lonely going through all of this, my partner is amazing but I think it’s harder for men to feel everything that we’re going through. I don’t think it’s helping my situation either when two close members of my family are having/had babies within this last week - since starting our IVF journey in 2020, by July this year my close family will have welcomed 6 babies…none of them coming from me and I’ve been struggling to come to terms with that.

I hope you’re doing ok too and sorry for the essay! Xx

[JoyfulStar]

Going through IVF cycles with failed attempts is heartbreaking so I really feel you. Worth listening to both your heart and your consultant to ensure you feel you gave it your best shot!

As someone who got pregnant at 43 almost 44 years of age with my own eggs, I know it is possible. So I would say keep the faith. I also had to prepare myself for the worst case scenario so when I did my IVF cycles, I worked on all I could control. Eating healthily, exceeding and taking CQ10. Also cut out alcohol and caffeine.

I had relatively good AMH for my age and so my consultant recommended back to back cycles I had 3 in total to bank embryos with no transfer until after the third cycle.. I did not do PGT testing for personal reasons. I transferred 2 embryos after the third round and one stuck! I now have a daughter who will soon be 15 months. My doctor also gave me a 10% chance!

All the best xxx

[PagingMom]

Sorry to hear about your failed transfer. Early 40's still a good age for IVF. Donor eggs is a good option too. Although I haven't tried that. I only had sperm donation when I was 38. We have our baby girl from that cycle. We still have 2 frozen embryos in our clinic overseas. I'm 41 now, so I don't know yet if I'll try again with those.