Donor egg failure

[Alwaysfullofhope]

Hello,

I haven't posted on here for a long time, but have still been on this journey!

Bit of background-

I had previously tried 5x with my own eggs from these 5 rounds we managed to get x1 4ab grade embryo transferred BFN and x1 AA hatching embryo transferred BFN, with how poor our numbers were and the money aspect we decided to try with Donor eggs, the numbers where so much better than what I have ever achieved using my own eggs, and we ended with having x6 top quality blastocysts, I had x2 transferred earlier this year resulting in a BFN and I have just had another 2 transferred 6days ago, I tested this morning BFN now I know it's still early to be testing so I'm not giving up complete hope yet and will continue with meds as instructed... however if this is a BFN again I only have x2 blastocysts left and I don't know, I naively thought this would just be a given that with 6 top quality embryos we had hit the jackpot and that we would definitely become parents from this!

My question is has anyone experienced anything similar and maybe underwent some testing? Throughout my whole fertility journey know one has ever said anything about me not being able to carry a baby I have 2 blocked fallopian tubes which have been clipped 6yrs ago so the hydrasalphix cannot 'leak' into my uterus so I'm just at a stand still, I'm 33 and been trying for a baby since 27 and I just cannot believe we have not yet been successful!! I have also had the immunology test and all came back normal! Thinking of suggesting the EMMA test but not 100% sure as I've not read up on this properly.

It's a long read so if you've made it this far, thanks lol!!!

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Stressful time for you- sending a hug and good luck wishes As you say tested early so keep yourself busy - eat well - drink plenty of fluids and continue to take any meds you were given as directed EMMA testing is to check for the presence of certain bacteria in the uterus and correct if necessary Ask your clinic to explain it fully to you so you can make an informed choice

Thinking of you

Janet-Partner

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thanks Janet! Yes will certainly be asking the clinic for more info on the EMMA test.

[Boo718]

hello we went down the donor route to and decided to pgta test the embryos they were all top quality embryos and a number came back abnormal. We were told that although it’s donor eggs from a 23 year old that doesn’t mean that they can’t be abnormal. Out of four from one round only one was normal. We also did the era Emma and Alice tests xxx

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to Boo718]

Thank you for replying, my clinic isn't really for PGT-A testing especially on donor eggs, I know alot of clinics offer this as a given but I think with the clinic I'm at you need to ask for this and they don't really like doing it, however out of 6 embryos I was hoping at least 1 was good enough maybe the next 2 might be the ones who knows! Did they help with your next transfer when having the EMMA & ALICE?xx

[Boo718 in reply to Alwaysfullofhope]

Our clinic weren’t keen either. But we pushed for it as it was abroad to save so many trips. I honestly believe that and the era test got our little girl. We had had 2 bfn then 2 chemical. They did the test Emma and Alice came back fine but the era came back that I needed an extra day of progesterone. Our next transfer was on day 6 instead of 5 and that one worked xxx

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to Boo718]

Yes we are abroad too, and all though I feel the service and pricing is better once you take all the flights and accommodation into it, its not dissimilar in price. I have never heard of these tests before, once I get the the results on Friday my clinic will schedule am appointment to discuss and I will be requesting info on the above, they just keep telling me to believe as its going to happen, hope doesn't pay for it all does it so taking it all with a pinch of salt, I think 7 rounds does that to you anyway!

Congratulations on your little girl, in times like this it really does give you the strength to not give up in the hopes one day that can be my story!xx

[Boo718 in reply to Alwaysfullofhope]

We were honestly near the end of our journey. It’s so expensive and we had just had enough. The pgta testing is expensive but if we hadn’t done it we would have had a number more trips and transfers that were never going to work. So I’m really glad we did. The era, Emma and Alice. The era tests for optimal transfer timing some people come out needing a day less some a day more others day 5 is fine.

I can’t remember which way round it is but Emma and Alice tests the bacteria levels in the womb (good and bad bacteria) and infection. So they can find out if you need antibiotics for anything or probiotics etc.

the test is pretty straight forward. The do a round like normal but on the day that would be transfer they take a biopsy instead

I hope you are doing ok xxx

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to Boo718]

Thank you, does the biopsy hurt? Can you have the EMMA & ALICE test in the UK or do you need to fly out? It's alot to think about isn't it, I genuinely struggle to see how people get pregnant with all these tests and obstacles! Yes I've tested again today BFN I knew it was going to be anyone but I still have the joy of having to pay £60 for a blood test tomorrow for something I already know, no tears this time think I'm just becoming numb to it all xx

[Boo718 in reply to Alwaysfullofhope]

I’m so sorry. The journey is so difficult. We went to Spain for it. I’m from Scotland and trying to get anything done here is a nightmare. Although I’m sure you can get it in England. It doesn’t hurt at all. It’s like a wee scrape kind of like a smear xxx

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to Boo718]

It is, you also realise how resilient you are too and how strong we all are! Ah OK I go to Greece, so maybe different laws about things but hopefully I can get some tests done here to save flying back and forth to Greece! Ahh that's not bad then I was imagining it as them taking a chunk of flesh 🤦🏽‍♀️ thanks again for all your help and advice! Xx

[Cinderella5]

Awww lovely, I'm so sorry for all that you are going through.....its so flipping hard. I also had a hard time although was a lot older than you. You can check out my old posts but the short version was We had multiple failed OE cycles and DE cycles with top blastocysts and a couple of early losses. We had recommended an ERA or PGT-A. The only thing I was ok with was the ERA. This and steriod cover I'm sure was out answer.....it of course could have been luck buy the positives we lost were messing around with the implantation window. We have twin boys and are so grateful for this site and the support I had....I'm happy to answer any questions if you want to get in touch.xxx

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to Cinderella5]

Ahhh I remember seeing your posts and reading about your journey when I first joined this forum! So glad you got your babies 🤍.Does the ERA hurt I just read the word biopsy and it just beings fear! So sorry but what is steroid cover, I thought I had all the knowledge I needed for IVF/DE but I've just been humbled (thankfully) with all the suggestions and different testing you and the other ladies have suggested xx

[Cinderella5 in reply to Alwaysfullofhope]

It is a bit nippy but it's over very quickly and pain disappears quickly. You take a pain killer around an hour before which can help. So the steriod cover is just incase of natural killer cells in the uterus (prednisolone) and although I didn't have much evidence it would work I wanted to try and my clinic supported me with it. Good luck lovely, its hard to keep going.xx

[nat55zt]

So sorry you are going through this. I know it is heartbreaking. What tests were done to your partner? Some clinics grossly underestimate DNA fragmentation problem. I wish you all the best.

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to nat55zt]

Thank you, so we have had all the tests done for my husband and we used zymot also not sure if it's named something different across different clinics but it's supposed to replicate what would happen naturally and they extracted the strongest swimmers also, also before me and my husband knew each other his previous girlfriend got pregnant however she did terminate which leads me to believe he can create a pregnancy, but that must be around 13yrs ago as we have been together for 9. Thank you xx

[Doodlebug23]

Took me 10 DE embryos over 7 transfers to get my BFP. Embryos were untested. It’s was Bondi protocol that worked for me - Prednisolone and clexane. X

[FREEDOM2023 in reply to Doodlebug23]

What is Bondi protocol? 😊

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to Doodlebug23]

I am constantly in a state on carry on it will work one day and will it ever work and are we just wasting money, well your message has just confirmed why I should just keep going, so thank you for that! I haven't heard of anything of these tests or procedures, I have an IVF journal and I am noting down all the suggestions you and the other ladies have given me and I feel I am going armed with a multitude of different questions to my clinic when I speak to them and hopefully the 2 I have left are the ones who give me a baby 👶 xx

[Doodlebug23 in reply to Alwaysfullofhope]

Don’t give up 💖 I was the same just thinking it will never work. I’m on a refund guarantee packing and was starting to get scared about getting to the end of it and getting the refund. I even asked if I could give it straight back and go again!

I didn’t really ask a lot to start with but then I gathered all the advice and suggestions and things I’d read and asked the Dr at one of my appts. I felt then that I’d got all the info I wanted and also the drs opinions on it all. X

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to Doodlebug23]

Ahh yes, I don't think they do anything like that with being abroad which is unfortunate! Yes we'll I'm hoping this time round I have alot of things to go to them with, and I will through everything I have at these two last embabies and fingers crossed I'll be coming back on here letting everyone know it's finally worked! Thanks for all the help and advise xx

[Doodlebug23 in reply to Alwaysfullofhope]

My clinic is in Spain by the way x

[Doodlebug23]

Prednisolone and Clexane. If you google it will come up. The original study and some other bits about it. Unfortunately it’s nothing to do with the beach!!

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to Doodlebug23]

Ahh that is unfortunate haha!! Will do thanks for your help!xx

[Batsford]

Hi Alwaysfullofhope, I’m sorry to hear you’ve had such a difficult time. When you had the immune testing, did they test your blood or a uterine sample of cells? The blood test is much more accurate. I had multiple cycles that failed or resulted in early miscarriage with my own eggs and donor eggs. We eventually PGTA tested our remaining donor egg embryos, transferred a normal one and also used the Bondi protocol, plus intralipids and other immune suppressants and it resulted in this pregnancy. A lot of people on this site seem to have had successes after adding steroids and Clexane to their protocol, as they modulate the immune response and improve implantation. It might be worth considering. Best of luck.

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to Batsford]

Hey aww thank you, the immunology test what tested using a blood sample both me and my husband provided. I am going to have to Google all these to get a better understanding however it really is bringing me comfort and giving me the strength to keep on going and that there's more things that can be done that can influence the outcome!xx

[Kmcdon]

I had to have four DE transfers before success. I was on prednisone (20mg) and blood thinners each time. I had ERA, Alice and Emma as well as hysteroscopy. All came back fine - with me it was just a case of keep going, I think I had low levels of progesterone so had that increased after transfer. Xx

[Alwaysfullofhope in reply to Kmcdon]

So glad you eventually got your positive, it really is a tough old journey and until you speak out it feels as though its only you that this is happening too! I think I'm definitely going to push for these test before I do anything else and progesterone I have never had that checked, I start off taking x3 progynova, have a scan this is then increased to x4 progynova, I then go for another scan and confirms my uterine lining is at the right thickness I take x4 pessaries a day along with x1 shot of lubion/protolex (think there the same thing) and that continues until I test, and I just take vitamins each day along with folic acid.xx

[Tinkertinkerbell]

Hi - I’ve had a similar experience and I would recommend the EMA, Alice and ERA tests as that is what made the difference for me - particularly the ERA. The ERA found that I needed an extra 30 hours of progesterone and with that adjustment I got pregnant on my third try with a donor egg embryo (my own eggs and 2 perfect donor eggs had failed before this). It turned out all my embryo transfers had been too early and if I’d have just carried on without the ERA, it would always have failed. The EMA and ALICE also found I had no good bacteria so I took LOADS of probiotics prior to transfer which may have helped also. Anyway - the tests worked for me when I thought nothing would! Good luck x

[Alwaysfullofhope]

Oh OK so I'm definitely going to request what you have had in the hopes this works for me too! This is just an absolute minefield you think you have it all underway and then there's 100s of different other things that can be wrong! I feel these test should be done right at the start of your journey if you have 1 or 2 failed transfers as this does make me think could my own eggs of worked had I known about all this before, but anyway I know now and hopefully this helps going forward!xx