Just joined, just completed our first IVF round, we had 2 fertilised embryos (had to do frozen cycles), one in September which wasn’t successful and just had the news our final embryo didn’t develop as the pregnancy test was negative, we’re devastated obviously and I want to do another round but my husband wonders where does it all end, how many times do we keep going? He’s not so keen!
How many times do you keep going?
We’re not getting any younger (early 40s).
How do you decide this??? Please help me.
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JessC83
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hi, I’m sorry the first two transfers didn’t work. It’s a hard question to answer because it can be so different for everyone. I was 40 and my third cycle worked, my friend was also 40 and her first transfer worked. It can be really variable, and can just come down to luck when the right embryo comes up. I don’t have any known fertility conditions, we did IVF for male reasons and used donor sperm. My age was the limiting factor.
My consultant told me at 40, that 1 in 6 of my eggs would be normal. I had 12 mature eggs collected from 3 cycles and 1 embryo which became my son from 4 embryos which made it to day5. The others were all BFN.
I’m not sure where you are located but if you are paying privately, I found the multi cycle (two cycle) package to be quite cost effective. It’s even more cost effective if you have frozen embryos to transfer (which I didn’t).
You’ve just got to follow the path which you feel is right for you. It can be very gruelling but I think it can take an average of 3 cycles across all age ranges. Good luck xx
Hi there, I'm about to start my 4th round of IVF. I've had 3 unsuccessful transfers to date but I also have endometriosis. For me, it was really (1) whether my clinic felt like any improvements/changes could be made to get better outcomes for the next round and (2) whether I felt like I could mentally deal with another round. Each cycle has been slightly better than the last so that has motivated me to keep trying! But it really depends on your own motivations and circumstances.
Hi Jess, I had 4 unsuccessful fresh transfers and the 5th transfer was successful which was a frozen transfer. I'm going to be 44 in the summer. All my cycles were using my own eggs.
I never gave up on having a child... sadly and tragically I had a late loss at full-term where my precious son was stillborn.
I decided to use DE due to my age (now 48), no known fertility issues but single so no chance of natural conception. Took me 7 transfers to get my BFP.
2 fresh medicated 1 BFN and 1 chemical
3 frozen medicated 3 BFN
2 frozen natural 1 BFN and 1 BFP (7+5 now)
I did a donor refund guarantee programme that included all transfers.
Good luck 🍀 with whatever you decide is the best choice for you x
After 5 unsuccessful transfers, I fell pregnant naturally the end of last year but unfortunately miscarried due to a chromosomal abnormality. I will be 40 in a few months. Before I fell pregnant I was going to go abroad for IVF but now I have decided no more ivf and fingers crossed it happens naturally. Everyone is different and there is no right or wrong answer. There are lots of different tests and add ons available following repeated implantation failures. It alway helped us once we had a consultation with our ivf clinic to understand all options and what could be changed next time to increase chances.
I’m sorry for your loss that must be really hard, fingers crossed for you naturally, I think that’s where we are at now no more ivf and try naturally xx
After my 1st round, we had 3 frozen embryos, had 1st FET which worked, after 2 years we decided to have another go for a sibling thinking that if we try with the last 2 we will accept whatever happens like if it works great if not we will give up. 1st embryo stopped developing, and our last took but we lost it for an unknown reason the day after our viability scan where they did see the heartbeat and all was great.
After this loss, we decided that we wanted to try again. Went through another round of IVF, and had 5 embabies, 2 didn't work and now with our last 3 - we want to transfer them one by one till the end of the year and if they won't work then that's the end for us for sure.
I think it all depends on your circumstances and desire if you want to put yourself through all that again and if you will be ok with your decision if it still won't work or maybe it will. This is where this terrible IVF gamble comes in place.
I had 3 failed transfers, own eggs and 5 DE transfers so a total of 8 tries. My 6th was a chemical and I finally got pregnant on my 8th (currently 17+2). Number 8 would have been my last go, it was my last embryo and with my 45th birthday looming we decided this would be it. I am super lucky to already have a son so this was the quest for a sibling.
I think you will know when your journey is done. Xx
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