As some as you will know I have just gone through my fourth failed transfer. First two when I was younger and a DE last fresh cycle last year then DE FET failed this week.
I have dusted myself down - as we do and decided to get proactive. I’m booking an Aqua Scan and seeing what the results are from that. I have read all of the add ons on HFEA and the ERA is red so I’m wondering if I should try that ?
I’m pretty sure in my younger years that the egg wasn’t an issue - I donated myself in early 20s but have never asked if my recipient/s got lucky and conceived with those eggs. So there is something else going on. I’m happy with my DE route but want to do more before our final embie is transferred.
So ERA - did you have it ? Did it make any difference or was it a BFN? Thoughts really appreciated
Hi, I'm so sorry it has not worked for you yet, it is a tough road and I hope you are looking after yourself.
I personally feel the ERA made a big difference for me. I had 4 failed transfers, then had ERA which showed I was post receptive. The test was repeated 24 hours earlier and came back receptive. For my next transfer the results were used from ERA and I got my BFP and now have my twins from that 5th transfer. I also had high NK cells, so was on an immune plan. Plus lots of progesterone.
From the research I did on ERA before deciding to have it and from opinions I read on here I found there are some ladies that do not find it useful and some that feel it made all the difference. For us that are found to have a displaced window of implantation I personally feel it makes a difference.
Wishing you the best of luck. I know how hard it is to keep going, but having a plan in place does help. May I also say take time to book some nice things in to do for you and your other half too. If I look back at one thing on my journey through it was I wish I had not put my life on hold so much and enjoyed things more - of course hindsight is a good thing and I know that it is damn hard when in the thick of it.
Sending you lots of hugs, happy to answer any questions xx
That’s interesting, could I ask if it needs to be repeated does that come at further costs ? It may not help but I’m going to go for it and I have then ticked it off the list. I was going to last time but was kind of convinced by my consultant DE and fragmin was the answer - clearly not.
I’m ok but I think that’s because I’m on a mission to find out what is going wrong - if anything. I’m sure it’s not just bad luck. My DP has taken it better this time as well and is saying he will pay for extra tests - he didn’t believe in it all before.
That’s good advice and we are. Initially I was going to have one period then transfer again but we’re taking another 6 month out (other than tests and investigations) so we can enjoy our time and are going on holiday abroad in September. We just had one before this last go and it’s helped so much with relaxing. We both feel life has all been about planning treatment for so long we need to be us.
I looked at testing for NK it’s very expensive though, did you have Chicago bloods ?
Yes the repeat test was an extra cost unfortunately, I think it was £700 for the repeat test at my clinic. My clinic only wanted to do a repeat biopsy if it was a post receptive result, they said they could not know how long past the window of receptivity was. If it had been pre receptive they could have worked out the adjusted timings, without the need for a repeat biopsy.
I felt the same way that I wanted it ticked off the list. It is very expensive though, as everything in the IVF seems to be.
I think a nice break will be good. When I had the ERA and other tests I had no transfers for 7 months while waiting for all the results. At the time it felt like ages, but looking back was what I needed.
Enjoy your holidays ❤
Yes I did have the Chicago tests, they were very expensive. But for me did highlight quite a few issues - high NK cells, TH1 inbalance and progesterone antibodies which were all treated.
I did actually do the immune plan for my 4th transfer, which was BFN. So for me I think the ERA and extra progesterone was definitely key, in addition to the other changes. Would your clinic perhaps let you try the immune plan (steroids, intralipids etc), without the testing? I have seen some on here do and would save you the expense of testing. Though I felt I really wanted my individual results, to make sure what I was going ahead with was right.
I was on Clexane throughout as a precaution, but never had the tests for it.
My consultant once told me if you have transferred 3 good quality blastocysts without success there is generally an underlying issue, it is just getting to the bottom of it. We originally went down the IVF path due to MFI and they thought we would be an easy case as all the usual tests I had done before came back absolutely fine! xx
They may try the immune plan without testing. They added Fragmin and antibiotics followed by probiotics this go without any testing so I’m going to ask the question. I’m sure it can’t do any harm if not needed. My partner looked at me crazy yesterday when I said I’m asking for steroids - he had images of me bulking up and hitting the gym everyday 🙈.
I bled very early after my second IVF so asked about extra progesterone but my consultant said because I didn’t last time they think my levels should be ok. I’m not sure I’m happy with thinking - I need to know.
Ouch £700 extra - but if it worked it’s minimal isn’t it
Ha ha, my husband said the same about the steroids! 🤦♀️
I bled early on 3 of my failed transfers and insisted my clinic done a progesterone blood test on the day of transfer. When I had the ERA they tested the day of the test, then 5 days after and found it was low. Had to take Lubion and Utrogestan for my successful transfer. I would insist they test, so you know you are on the right dose 🙂 xx
I believe there was a recent meta analysis that showed ERA timed transfers showed no difference in results to normal transfer timed ones. However it wasn't worse so I don't think it will cause harm to have it done (other than the extra expense).I had the Warwick biopsy done which looks at the timing of your womb in a natural transfer not sure if it's the same thing or not.
Good luck and I'm sorry you're going through this too, it really sucks xxx
Thank you for the information I have read some research myself and it basically says the ERA isn’t proven to increase the chances of pregnancy.
I think you right it won’t cause any harm and I’m not sure it would even benefit me but it’s the what ifs I think might harm me more. It’s such a big money industry it’s hard to see if the benefits really outweigh the costs. At the moment I’m swaying on the side of just pay for the peace of mind side but find the comments here really helpful.
What’s a Warwick biopsy ? Is that done alongside FET I’ve never heard of it (if you have link that would be great)
This is the website (info about the tests is at the bottom of the page): warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/r... self referred due to recurrent implantation failure of 5 embryos, this was where my clinic suggested I go for further testing. It showed the timing was correct but womb lining prone to breakdown (they do uterine NK cells and a digital endometrial function test, or dEFT - it's still in research phase but promising results). Can't say yet whether the treatment has worked. It all seems so poorly understood in the world of fertility treatment.
Have you done PGT A testing? Again the evidence is not clear but we felt it was worth it to know we are transferring at least potentially viable embryos xx
What a wonderful lady you are! Im sorry you haven't had success yourself so far. This was my last resort along with massive upping my progesterone for the last transfer. My ERA showed I needed to transfer a full 24 hours later....6 days of progesterone. We havevtwin boys that we're ever so grateful for and I'm sure those 2 things were the key!! Good luck. Ps i didn't have to have my test repeated....mine showed straight off i was pre receptive by 24hrs.xxx
This was my post about my results....just for info. I do know of a few other ladies that have had success after an ERA....could be coincidence but I don't buy that!!healthunlocked.com/fertilit......
I don’t think it’s a coincidence after so many transfers either. X
Thanks Cinderella,
Just had a quick read through your posts to find out about ERA, looks you went through a hell of a journey to get your twins you must been so relieved to have them with you.
I did ask about extra progesterone last transfer but my clinic say I don’t need it - but I’m not sure how they know without testing ? I will ask again at my follow up appointment.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the ERA, I found them really helpful
honestly for me the era made a huge difference I had 2 bfn then 2 chemical. The era showed I needed an extra day of medication we did that on transfer 5 (the only change we made) and I’m now 39 weeks xxx
Hi Boo,
Congratulations 🎉 almost there! That’s wonderful news.
You ladies on here are great, so much advice and exactly what I needed - the pros and cons from people with experience
I had the ERA test prior to my second FET, which sadly resulted in a BFN. The results showed that my transfer window was already optimal, no infections etc and slightly low lactobacillus so I took canesflor. Similar to yourself, I was on the fence with this test but did not want the ‘what if’. If I had not done it, I would have potentially thought that’s why my FET failed. Hope that helps and all the best on your journey 💜
Hi Egg freezer,
I’m sorry to hear about your BFN - sending a huge virtual hug I know how hard it is.
Thank you for sharing your experience of having the ERA, it’s difficult when you want a test to show something that needs changing but everything seems ok and then it still doesn’t work out. I had antibiotics and probiotics before this go without tests I argued my use of antibiotics has been low my whole life and other clinics use them as standard, I then followed with canesflor as well.
Thanks for the hug, it’s been just over 2 weeks and I’m still feeling fragile. I will be trying again. Originally was going to start with period mid June but decided that I am not mentally or emotionally fit to deal with consequences so going to push to July. You’ve just given me an idea to also ask for antibiotics on next one. May I ask which ones did you have and when did you start in the cycle? X
I’m sure you are, it’s been 24 hours since mine but I’m on a mission. I was prescribed a low dose of antidepressants a few months ago after sinking in to deep depression following the failures (controversial while TTC but it was the right choice for me), and I think they are the only reason I’m functioning as I am with this failed round.
Yes give yourself time I think even if we weren’t doing additional tests we would be having some time out to reflect and gather strength.
They gave me doxycycline and I started the week before FET for 5 days. Some clinics use it as protocol just to reduce and brewing infection that could affect implantation but the evidence for trials and research say withholding it has no effect, so most clinics stopped using it as protocol. It didn’t help me but there’s lots of women out there that believe it was the key to their BFP - bit like the ERA evidence is against but I wanted it ticked off my list.
Hello! I did the ERA on a modified natural cycle in January and transferred in April, I am now 10 weeks pregnant. I wanted to tick off all the boxes ahead of any transfers as we were only ever going to have two chances at a transfer (only two euploid embryos). I tend to have shorter cycles and ovulate around Day 11 so I was keen to see what the ERA showed and my results luckily fell bang in the middle of the receptive window. It worked for us, wishing you the best of luck for your next steps! X
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