How many times before you call it quits? (Maybe sensitive for some)

[nat55zt]

Hello! I have joined your community in October of 2022 after a painful miscarriage of my naturally conceived baby. I never wrote anything, but reading your stories always gave me strength and hope. After the loss we decided to seek medical help and tried IVF. I am immensely grateful that our first try worked and I gave birth to my baby last summer. However I always wanted more than just one child. We had one frozen embryo and it was transferred last Friday. I feel that this time IVF didn’t work. I have zero symptoms. My question is - should I start new IVF cycle? I worry about side effects from all of the medication. I want to give my baby a sibling but I don’t want to put my health in danger as some are warning that IVF drugs could cause cancer. Is IVF really dangerous? How many rounds is safe (if there is such thing)? I am 40.

[csec]

Hey Nat55zt, I totally get you as I have a similar story to tell. First thing I want to say though, is that no symptoms does not mean it did not work. Trust your body and trust the little baby to stick it in. I was successful after the first fresh round, and just like you I had a frosty that I transferred last summer. Unfortunately for me it did not work. However the two weeks wait were rather similar in both cases : no symptoms what so ever. I did get a BFP each time, but sadly the frosty stopped developing early one and lost it at 6 weeks. I have to say that I found the frozen round much harder than the first time around and the medication totally messed up my body (gained lots of weight during and after) and still don't feel that I am really back to 100%, but I do want to try again. I don't worry about IVF and cancer, as a cancer scientist I am well aware of the factors that go into it, multiple rounds of IVF, just like any multiple medication rounds of anything can have an impact but it is not the only, or the determining factor of cancer. So try not to worry too much about that. Sending you a big hug.

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

As 1st post says do not give up on this cycle yet - your still in with a chance Maybe you should discuss will your fertility Dr your concerns about the impact of IVF treatment - it may help put your mind at rest Hope you have taken advantage of the counselling you should be offered while on treatment Take a look at our website fertilitynetworkuk.org to access support -fertility groups and follow the prompts to register

Thinking of you

Janet-Partner