5 failed cycles, need some hope

[HC11_87]

Hi,

I’m an avid reader of posts on these forums but never thought I’d be one to post but I’m desperate for some hope.

36, 3years TTC, 4 failed IUI, 2 failed FET and 3 failed fresh IVF cycles. It feels like we’re going backwards with each cycle rather than forwards with fertilisation rates and embryo quality diminishing.

Has anyone in similar circumstances had things turn around or should I just give up now? Xx

[Krystal_43]

I haven’t got a success story yet, but have you done any RIF investigations and/or PGT-A tested your embryos? They might help you to understand why your embryos aren’t implanting. X x x

[Krystal_43 in reply to Krystal_43]

I should add that there’s a load of ladies on here who see success after those tests, despite histories of past IVF failure.

[HC11_87 in reply to Krystal_43]

Thank you for replying, no RIF but been on steroids/thinners for the 2nd and 3rd fresh cycles this year.

We hoped to do PGT-A this cycle just gone but it wasn’t worthwhile with only 1 v. early blast and 1 still at compacting stage on day 5. Had both transferred but got BFN on Thurs 😔

12 days till we can review with the consultant… just feeling really weary and hopeless, like we’re going backwards rather than forwards.

Hope we can both have our success story soon Xxx

[Rella22 in reply to HC11_87]

Hi there,I am sorry to hear of your negative result. It is incredibly difficult. I had failed cycles in the past, I know fresh works for some people but mine it definitely didn't for my body. What type of meds were you put on pre and post transfer?

Have you done further investigations to determine why embryos are not implanting?

[HC11_87 in reply to Rella22]

Hi, thank you for replying!

Just the level 1 blood tests, I was positive for 2 auto-antibodies so steroids and thinners were introduced for the 2nd and 3rd fresh cycle this year.

The 2nd cycle was a short protocol due to Buserelin shortage, which goes some way to explain the lower no of eggs.

Recent long protocol was; Buserelin, Meriofert (300iu), circadin, asprin, prednisolone, inhixa, cyclogest 400mg x3

Unfortunately due to low volume/quality we haven’t been able to freeze for any FET this year. I just don’t understand why it’s diminished so much from last year when I’m on higher dose of stimulation (LY Menopur 225iu) and eggs taken later (day 22 vs 19) is it possibly to have too much stimulation impacting maturity?

Desperate to speak to the consultant, thank you for any insight you can share xx

[TTCIVF in reply to HC11_87]

When I was researching about stim dosage, I was on 225iu with below average egg collection - NHS cycle. Private cycle said same dosage and I couldn’t understand why he wouldn’t increase, he agreed to increase to 300iu for a few days then back to 225iu. I researched online and found that increased stims dose MAY increase egg collection count but has been found to reduce the quality of the eggs collected, in tirn, reducing success rate. They need quality, not quantity, hope that helps xx

[HC11_87 in reply to TTCIVF]

That’s VERY helpful, thank you xxx

[Leii9]

Hi, I felt the same as you, I've had 6 fresh transfers and 1 fet.

4 BFN , 2 chemicals, and i am now 11 weeks pregnant from my 7th transfer.

It really only takes one.

Hope this gives you hope, I've just turned 42 x

[HC11_87 in reply to Leii9]

It does, thank you, congratulations!!

So precious after such a hard road xx

[Kilk22]

hi, I don’t have a huge knowledge of the tests that can be done to see what’s going on but it sounds like there has to be something. I hope others with more experience will give some advice. What is your amh? Has your partner had a dna fragmentation test done? What supplements are you taking before cycles?

Sometimes lower stims are better for low amh to get a good quality egg / eggs but sometimes the opposite. Which did you reason better to, the short or long?

I hope you get some decent feedback from your consultant. Also don’t be afraid to get a second and third opinion if you want. 🤞🏽🤞🏽

[HC11_87 in reply to Kilk22]

Thank you for your helpful reply, I don’t think I’ve had my AMH checked since we started with the clinic 2 years ago, so I will be suggesting they redo this when we get together with the consultant next week!

All tests for both of us have come back normal, it’s just the worst thing when so many failures can’t be attributed to anything!

I take pregnacare max for extra folate and vitamin support and for this last cycle I was taking 600mg of CoQ10 to try to improve egg quality. Although it did t seem to make a difference 😔😔

The best response I’ve had was from a long protocol with lower 225iu stims

[Marylyn]

I am a retired midwife still teaching fertility awareness for 40 yrs .I am promoting nutrition & found 2 of my clients were successful after supplementing with vitamin B12 ,folate & vit D & C .One client had been trying for 4 yrs.Male supplementating vit B12 ( methylcobalamin) will boost sperm 20 - 100 million.Avoid UHT milk .Good luck .

[HC11_87 in reply to Marylyn]

Thank you for replying and everything you’ve done/are doing to support women in my position!

I take pregnacare max for extra folate and vitamin support and for this last cycle I was taking 600mg of CoQ10 to try to improve egg quality. Although it did t seem to make a difference 😔😔

No issues with sperm count/ motility, should we both avoid UHT milk or is this just something which impacts the male? I generally use oat milk, fresh or long life whichever is on offer but I still get good dairy bacteria through cheese

[Marylyn]

The obstetrician was stating no UHT for either parent to be Go back to a diet your grandparents had.No preservatives ,organic vegetables & meat.Definitely no vaccines.

[BW14]

hi, I am in a similar situation and just seen your post. My first round our embryos weren’t the best quality and all 3 transfers failed. Second round we took imperyl supplement me and hubby. We did only get 2 blastocysts but both were of the highest quality. Unfortunately first has just resulted in a chemical pregnancy but we are taking the positives with it implanting as never even got that far before. So may be with a try xxx