IVF with unexplained infertility

[roisin_d]

Hi,

I am about to start my first IVF cycles. Fell pregnant 2 years ago and had an early miscarriage. Haven't been able to fall pregnant since and have unexplained infertility.

Any success stores from those with unexplained and IVF? How many cycles? How many transfers etc.?

[Millbanks]

Hi lovely,

Unfortunately most people who end up doing IVF are diagnosed as "unexplained". I think this really means that they simply haven't done enough tests to actually find out what the issue is.

There are certain criteria within the NHS that they will check and options that they will try before sending you down the IVF path. Usually that is:

a) are you ovulating (if not try clomide)

b) are your fallopian tubes clear for the eggs to get through

c) is your partner's (if you have one) sperm optimum

If all these are ok and you're still not falling pregnant then its usually the IVF route for you.

We fell under the "unexplained" category and had a very complicated journey to actually get pregnant which involved 4 egg collections, 6 transfers, PGT-A testing of embryos, ERA test for window of implantation, Immune testing to include steroids, progesterone testing and a huge number of supplements.

xx

[RedFox23]

I think it’s different for everyone! Some people are super lucky and fall pregnant with their first transfer and others need multiple cycles and transfers so it’s impossible to know what your journey will be like!

I guess every step a long the way is a step closer to meeting your baby 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[BlueTired]

Good luck, unsuccessful here.

We had been trying for a year, 42yrs old now 43 soon (39 when we started), had HSG, clomid, referred for IVF with no idea what the matter was, sperm good, me good response to clomid, nothing obvious wrong . 3years later such a slow and clunky system, saw a private consultant and they told us we were unexplained fertility, no one else. Back to nhs for ivf one chance had two blood tests AMH and FSH totally low and high respectively. Reading between the lines and Google everything points to reduced ovarian reserve. Still no one actually says this just told very likely I won’t respond to ivf stimulation but do it anyway.

Lots of injections, first and only scan on a Friday only two follicles 22 and 24 whatever that means, told that if I want to carry on we should schedule collection for Monday or we might miss anything that might be there. Again reading between the lines follicles were too big and we might have missed the boat, as only chance went for collection anyway. Nothing there two empty follicles.

Had to sit in recovery bay next to another woman behind thin curtain crying because she only got 3 eggs! I cried too and refrained from telling her she was lucky. Sent home with no post procedure information. Wonder if I’ve ever had any eggs or were we too early/late to collect, why do I still have regular periods if I’m eggless, what a waste of 3yrs, maybe my 2follicles were just cysts anyway.

Be prepared for a roller coaster ride with people who can’t tell you straight what’s happening because it’s all so hit and miss trial and error. Maybe private would be better who knows.

I hope you have more time and patience than me fingers crossed for you and totally respect all those women going through IVF multiple times one time has finished me and I didn’t even get very far through it! 😞 I’m coming back as a man

[roisin_d in reply to BlueTired]

I'm so sorry this was your experience!