We have been through 3 rounds of IVF, 2 at home in the UK and 1 abroad in Greece. Each time we have had good results from pre tests (my wife even had PLP carried out along with an asymptomatic infection treated in me in round 3) but our embryos have never reached past day 3 or stopped growing at day 4.
We have been told it’s most likely a sperm issue so we have arranged for a chromosome test to be carried out to be sure. They also haven’t ruled out an egg issue too.
At the moment we don’t know what to think or do, with no real options left other than potentially using donor in some way shape or form but we would struggle to reconcile that reality, especially me.
I’m not really asking anything from this post, I feel I just needed to write something down as we aren’t telling family or friends that this may be our reality. We are making some positive changes to our lifestyle with regards to diet to lower our BMI (we don’t smoke or drink) and are quite active but for me that’s more to allow myself control over my responses and for something to concentrate on.
Thanks for reading, any positive advice at this point is greatly appreciated.
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XI82
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I was going to respond to query the same thing. Have a look at the supplements suggested in the book it starts with the egg - they gave us amazing results for my husband and I (when previously things had not looked great)
Have you considered having a more in depth sperm test done? Mr Ramsey looks at DNA fragmentation, infections, microbes, does a testes scan etc. He is a bit pricey but the best in the business and genuinely wants to help couples XX
thank you for the replies, I have been on supplements for a few months now (impryl and Serum in Greece’s own brand) but still the same results. I may not have given enough time however for it to provide better results but that’s probably just me clinging on to any hope possible. I was on the higher side at my last test for DNA fragmentation but the sample used for fertilising was found to be at 1%. I have paid for Karyotype testing which going by the clinic doctors will probably state that the DNA quality is poor.
They respond very quickly to emails and if you put your whole history in the email he'll then use that as a point of reference at your first appointment XX
We had an issue with embryos not progressing beyond day 3. We tried with a TESE/TESA sample and got two blasts out of 3 fertilised eggs. Dr believes low fertilisation rate despite ICSI is due to sperm factor since all fertilised eggs would always get to Day 3 but not progress beyond which is when the sperm is meant to kick in. But not sure how definitive this conclusion is. Our dr was keen to use a fresh rather than a frozen sample cause of the sperm quality.
There are lifestyle changes that are usually recommended depending on the person but after 3 rounds I am sure you've looked into that already. It starts with an egg has some good advice, so it is good to have a look and see if relevant. I was on impryl but then found out that it is not meant to be taken with coq10. Not sure if this applies to both males and females.
Our dr recommended a different vitamin supplement for my partner called proxeed plus.
I am extremely sorry to hear this. Please order book it’s start with egg by ribbica fet 3rd edition you can order from Amazon. Please follow it accordingly for all supplements and food there is proper guide. Also take proxeed men one schtay in morning in glass of orange juice and one in evening in one glass of orange juice with 500mg vitamin c take both time vitamin c. When you take these no milky food plz with it to help desolve plz properly. Omaga 3 2000mg vitamin D also high dose. No red meat at all. Also ask wife to take proxeed women one schtay in glass or orange juice.
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Day 3 FET success story
19 rounds and finally successful with beautiful little girl 💕
Cycle 3 = game over
Day 3
Egg retrieval day 
