Implantation Tips

[Voni_]

Looking for some implantation advice. I got my BFN on the weekend after a positive feeling TWW and a fresh 4ab transfer. I have three Frosties from this round graded 4ab, 4bb and 4bc. I managed to improve my egg quality from a previous unsuccessful round (only 2 3bb blasts transferred both but BFN) last summer by following information from ‘It starts with the egg’. For at least three months I took DHEA, Ubiqinol, conception multi vitamins, only used natural ingredient products, cut out any plastic use, caffeine, alcohol and took real care of myself. My question is, what can I now do to improve implantation to make sure the next one, which will be my first FET sticks. I am 42 so unlikely to ever improve on my egg collection so feeling like these three Frosties are probably my last three chances 🤞🏻🙏🏻🍀

[Gempuddleduck]

Hiya, have you tried acupuncture? I really recommend it for implantation xx

[Voni_ in reply to Gempuddleduck]

Thanks so much for the reply. I haven’t - but I will. Is it recommended before, during or both?

[silvervn in reply to Voni_]

Both.

I am currently having accupuncture. I only began when I started meds (I'm first round IVF), but if possible it is advisable to start before meds/transfers, ideally 2-3 months. I have had appointments at different points to target different things and on transfer day will be having one before transfer and one after transfer. I can't say if it is working, but mentally it has really helped me. I sought out specialist fertility therapists, met with 3 and chose 1 to work with. I have found it so calming and gained a lot of help from her advice. I figure there is no harm, and anything that is reducing my stress has to be good! Good luck xx

[Voni_ in reply to silvervn]

Thanks so much, this is really useful. I’ve actually found a therapist near me who specialises in Fertility so I have emailed her and will try and start this ASAP.

[silvervn in reply to Voni_]

You’re welcome. I hope you like them! The first consult is often very in-depth to find all about you and your health, they usually take your pulse and sometimes check your tongue. Hope it all goes well xx

[Gempuddleduck in reply to Voni_]

I’ve done it three times now and every time it’s worked for implantation. Lots of love and luck! Xx

[Loveelou in reply to Gempuddleduck]

Hi Gempuddleduck

I have just started accupuncture, have had 1 session- do you mind sharing the protocol you have had that helps around implantation?

[Gempuddleduck in reply to Loveelou]

Hiya! Yes of course. I did it weekly for 3 months before transfer. On the day of transfer, I had a session before and after. Is your acupuncture clinic close to your fertility clinic or do they have a branch nearby? The closer the better so you can travel between the two easily on transfer day. I’m sure your acupuncturist will chat to you about logistics as they should have experience of transfer day acupuncture. Wishing you lots of love and luck! Xx

[Loveelou in reply to Gempuddleduck]

Thank you for this!

[Darcy1996]

have you tried Tommy’s for their recurrent implantation failure tests? I’m also 42, did 2 biopsies with them & have a plan now finally

[Savannah9]

Sorry to hear about you negative result

I honestly felt when I was reading this I was reading about myself in parts!

I had 2 failed rounds of IVF, the most I got previously was 2 eggs to fertilise but by day 4 they were not at the stage they should have been. I then read it starts with the egg, followed the plan and did my third cycle (ICSI in my case) I ended up this time with 9 fertilised eggs and 6 made it to blastocyst and were frozen. I’m not sure on the their grading exactly but they were very happy with them. I’ve now had 2 failed FET on this round and it’s not getting any easier. I have 4 Frosties left. Now considering PGT-A testing and maybe a hysteroscopy … but I’m too wondering how I can improve implantation. Is it diet, or could it be something I can add a supplement

Fingers crossed for your next try 🤞🏼x

[Eloquentia]

Very sorry about your BFN IVF can be so soul-crushing. The things I did for my second transfer, which worked, include taking vaginal and oral probiotics in the run up to it, baby aspirin (two edged sword, could help improve implantation but also gave me a large subchorionic haematoma and a bleed) and pomegranate juice for the lining in the run up to the FET and first month or so after. I also did fertility reflexology, which really helped me relax. Very best of luck!

[Systema23]

Hi

I am 41, so similar age to you. Currently 18 weeks pregnant and for my successful cycle I did the following:

Supplements between retrieval and transfer:

1000mg Omega 3 fish oil per day

2000pg Vitamin B12 per day

Pregnacare preconception max

Vitamin D 5000 iu per day

Vitamin E – 400 IU per day

Vitamin C and Zinc – 500mg per day

400mg Ubiquinol per day

800mg Methylfolate per day

5000 iu Vitamin D3 per day

1 x 75mg Aspirin per day

Culturelle Natural Flora Probiotic

Canesflor Vaginal Use Probiotics (can be purchased from larger boots stores in the UK)

**I got a lot of this information from a book called ‘Brain Health from Birth: Nurturing Brain Development During Pregnancy and the First Year’ by Rebecca Fett***

Diet period between egg retrieval and transfer:

I largely stuck to the previous diet although I was slightly more relaxed about it. So I

• Continued mainly with non-refined carbs but did allow myself the odd potato; white pasta etc

• I incorporated more fruit into my diet

• Ensured that I kept protein levels high throughout as it is good for preparing for pregnancy and muscle recovery when exercising. I also found that it reduced my cravings for sugary processed foods within a few weeks

Exercise Regime in period between egg retrieval and transfer:

Simply because it started getting cold and I wanted to tone up a little I changed to the gym and on alternate days did the following 6 days a week:

Day one – 5k running on treadmill; 20 mins cross-trainer

Day two – 5k running on treadmill; 20 mins cross-trainer and weights

Mental Health Practices in period between egg retrieval and transfer:

• Continued with all the practices outlined above but was also a bit kinder to myself and less strict, so I

• Made more time for eating out with friends

• Allowed myself the occasional alcoholic drink

• Allowed myself occasional soft drink and chocolate

• Went to London

• Went to Paris (I had had my trigger shot the day before and still had half a bottle of champagne and a few cocktails)

Post Transfer Supplements:

1 x 75mh aspirin per day

5000 iu Vitamin D3 per day

1 x Culturelle Natural Flora Probiotic

Pregnacare Max per day (see box for dosage)

2 x 350mg Solgar Chlorine per day

1 x 1000mg Omega 3 Fish Oil per day

1 x methylfolate 400mg per day

200mg Ubiquinol per day

2000pg Vitamin B12 per day

400 iu Vitamin E per day

1 x Vitamim C and Zinc per day

Post Transfer Diet:

I largely stuck to the previous diet although I was slightly more relaxed about it. So I

• Continued mainly with non-refined carbs but did allow myself the odd potato; white pasta etc

• I incorporated more fruit into my diet

• Drank 250ml pomegranate juice per day during TWW

• Ate pineapple every day during the 2WW

• No alcohol

Post Transfer Exercise and mental health:

• So far walking only

• No baths

• No steam rooms sauna or swimming pool

• Have continued meditation and nature walks

I found the most important thing for me was keeping my cortisol levels low, which is very hard for me on this jounry.

Good luck xx

[Voni_ in reply to Systema23]

Firstly congratulations on the pregnancy, it’s so lovely to hear success stories. It gives me hope. Thanks so much for your reply, that is hugely helpful, thanks so much. Can I ask was this is a FET? And had you had failed rounds before and decided to change to this regime or was this your first transfer.

[Systema23]

FET stands for frozen embryo transfer. One failed NHS round previously. This time I decided on PGT-A testing because of my age and because I could only afford one round so wanted to throw everything I had at it, that way, when it didn't work, at least I knew I had tried everything I could. Because of that I needed an FET, although, the break in treatment I think did me good as well, because it gave my body a chance to recover from the onslaught of all the IVF medication.

I would say my first round I was a bit naive and figured as long as my BMI was under 30 all was good. My nurse suggested DHEA, and whilst researching that I came across the book, it starts with an egg.

I concentrated changes on nutrition, exercise and stress levels. There is a lot about toxicity and chemicals and plastics, and I just couldn't afford everything so decided to concentrate on those three.

[Loveelou in reply to Systema23]

Hi Systema23 !

Excellent advice above! I have bookmarked all of it. May I ask what your BMI was for the successful transfer as you mentioned getting it below 30 and I have read elsewhere women in their 40s tend to fare better with a lower BMI. Also did you use DHEA for your successful round?

[Systema23 in reply to Loveelou]

For my successful round I did use DHEA. 25mg 3 times per day, even when it was within safe parameters I did a blood check every 6 weeks just in case I needed to alter it.

My BMI on successful round was 27.8 for retrieval.

It was 29.2 on the date of transfer.