Failed IVF story

[HopelessNaina]

Hi People!I just want to share my failed IVF story because I feel really hopeless now. I just received a call from the clinic today that the egg didn't even fertilise. I was on Synarel nasal spray ang Menopur 600IU, the maximum dose. I also got my full period about 1 week before egg collection to which the doctor said, your uterine line was shedding as it was weak. So we'll freeze the embryos & not do fresh transfer. Unfortunately they only found 1 egg, when I had 2 follicles of appropriate size. My AMH is also too low 2.6 (as per Australian measures). I've become so hopeless at this point as I'm 35 with such low AMH. I feel like not trying again ever. Anyone has any similar story to share?

[Rcs11]

I’m so sorry. I don’t know what to say other than that, but sending love & strength xx

[HopelessNaina in reply to Rcs11]

❤❤

[Nenad]

so sorry to hear this to be honest 35 is a good age so I would recommend switching clinics, this one doesn’t sound good based on the story you shared.

You’ve still got 5 years to go before your egg quality really drops. I can see you’re in Australia so try to search for or ask around for good fertility clinics/doctors with a good success rate for women with low AMH xx

[HopelessNaina in reply to Nenad]

Hi Nenad,Thanks for your reply. It feels better having conversation with sisters in the same boat. It's a big public hospital here running this program providing only 2 cycles and to be honest, we heard good reviews about them, then only started with them. They wanna do another cycle to try. If this one doesn't go through, then definitely will switch clinic. But I guess we should not loose hope ❤

[Nenad in reply to HopelessNaina]

That sounds like a good plan. Are you having a follow-up? Make sure to prepare a list of questions and see if they’re going to be making any changes based on your first cycle xx

[HopelessNaina in reply to Nenad]

They should change the medications hopefully because I was already on highest dose of menopur 600IU. It may be the case I responded poor to high dose.. they've given a follow up appointment but unfortunately they don't test the egg quality. I've started taking COQ10 enzyme as the research suggests it does help with egg quality. Have you ever heard of it? Any idea?

[Nenad in reply to HopelessNaina]

I think it’s almost impossible to test for egg quality, and AMH as you’re aware looks at quantity. I’m sure they’ll adjust the dose for your next cycle.

As CoQ10, I would recommend that you give it a try (especially Ubiquinone) and would highly recommend the book It Starts With The Egg which lists all the supplements you should consider taking before an IVF cycle.

[IVFat40 in reply to Nenad]

I was also about to recommend it starts with the egg by Rebecca Fett, in my experience it's definitely possible to improve your results after your first round of IVF, all the best of luck

[Blessed5510 in reply to Nenad]

I agree with Nenad. Maybe look for a different clinic. Wishing you the best. Don’t give up if it is truly what you want. It took us 20 years!!!! Now 31 weeks, via surrogate!

[Londonlady2024]

I agree with Nenad

Find a new clinic and yes 35 is a very good age. You still have many ripe years ahead of you. I had my first at 39; almost 40, which sadly and tragically ended in stillbirth at full-term. I have had my rainbow little boy now, a month before my 44th birthday. Wishing you success.

Everyone says, "it only takes one" and there's truth behind these special words.

Don't be put of by your low amh - it's the quality that matters. Quantity may help if you are much older so u have more to play with.

[HopelessNaina in reply to Londonlady2024]

A little more hope helps. Thanks Londonlady2024. Its just a tough journey. Unfortunately, science hasn't even fully taken over this journey. The major part is only with nature/God...

[Londonlady2024]

Yes I agree. My faith has helped me a great deal and I never gave up on prayers and duas x

[leo1980]

hey. Every cycle is different. Your next cycle might be better. I too had total fertilisation failure on one cycle and another cycle cancelled as there were no follicles. I went on to have 2 more cycles at 40 and at 44 am 34 weeks pregnant. So don’t give you up. You are young still and have a good chance. Just use the time with your doctor to I understand what went wrong and what can be done differently or better next time around. Best of luck my lovely.

[HopelessNaina in reply to leo1980]

Thank you so much leo1980 😇❤

[Londonlady2024 in reply to leo1980]

Congratulations 🎉

[Sams25]

sorry to hear.. I’ve had 4 failed IVFs mainly due to poor egg quality. We would either not find eggs or they would not grow beyond day1 of fertilisation. To reduce any misses on fertilisation my clinic recommended ICSI from cycle 3 even if my parters sperm count was within normal range.

For my positive 5th cycle at 38-39 yrs what did differently-

-Healthy eating habits (I’m vegetarian- I reduced processed and gluten foods)

-No drinking or smoking for 3-4weeks before starting STIMs

-CoQ, B12 , Omega3 with DHA and folic acid 800mg supplements

-3-4 litres of water everyday

-regular exercise (I play tennis 3-4times a week)

-daily yoga focussed on fertility and stress management

This resulted in my positive cycle , we had 3 blasts of poor quality and was recommended to not PGT test as they might have not lasted. 1fresh transfer and 2 frozen. Failed again. It was not easy because it still was almost no hope kind of situation with poor quality embies. I took a month off cycles to holiday and do nothing. then transferred the 2 Frosties. This resulted in a positive, which was unbelievable as this was our last try after which we were considering to stop.

don’t lose hope, keep trying and push your doctors to answer questions around why this dosage, why this medication, what options are there, supplements etc. also on quality there is no way to gauge, it’s only a hypothesis, therefore keep trying different things until you start seeing improvements. I know it’s tough but after 11 natural IVF cycles and 5 medicated IVF cycles over 5 years later I got my first positive.. this was only because I kept trying different things and started seeing small improvements. It takes only 1 egg and sperm.

fingers crossed for you🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[HopelessNaina in reply to Sams25]

That's really a tough journey you had.. But I'm so glad to hear that finally it was a success for You. I'm vegetarian too and yes at times it's hard to find the appropriate nutrition. Thank you so so much for sharing your journey with me & so useful instructions. I'll definitely try what I can and ask the doctors but from all the answers I've got, it just seems like never to stop trying.. ❤❤

[Londonlady2024 in reply to Sams25]

Amazing, congratulations 🎉

[Wuhu85]

In my opinion 600 is just no go for me. It is known that from 450 is already not good for egg quality. I have also a low AMH and I am older than you and what helped me is a long protocol. Also minimal stimulation and a native cycle is also an option for women with low AMH. I would go in another clinic and have an opinion from more doctors. At the same time make some research in this topic. Failed IVF do not mean the end of the journey. Finger crossed for you 🤞🤞🤞

[HopelessNaina in reply to Wuhu85]

On my very first cycle with another clinic, I was not on Menopur. I was on 1 injection of elonva, then continued puregon and orgalutran followed by 1 trigger. They retrieved 8 eggs. This hospital says probably because at that time my AMH was better and that was the reason for more eggs retrieved. So, I'm confused. If this cycle does not go through, I'm definitely changing the clinic.

[Wuhu85 in reply to HopelessNaina]

When was you last cycle? I had in my previos cycle in short protocol 2 eggs. I have 1 pgt tested embryo from it. I changed the clinic they gave me long protocol and I had 8 eggs and 5 untested embryos from it. I was 5 years ako in social freezing where I got 8 eggs first time and 7 eggs second time. Unfortunately the social freezing was not working for me and my first transfer ended in biochemical but I have still have embryos. I just wanted to show you that it can work…

[HopelessNaina in reply to Wuhu85]

I've always had short protocols during IVF all cycles. Not sure if any clinic does long protocol here though. Have to find out. But the doctors did say that they suppressed my ovaries with synarel nasal spray and stopped ovulation until trigger. I'll discuss this during my next appointment though. Also as I got my period just a week before my egg collection. Clinic said my uterine line was shedding. Its said that period starts 7-14 days after egg retrieval. I'm thinking again whether I'll get my period within 7-14 days or after? My breasts are so tender after all those hormones.

[Wuhu85 in reply to HopelessNaina]

So in my country is nobody using so high Dosis of hormones. When the amount of hormones is too high than the quality of the eggs are decreasing. So I will definitely not going to that. So your period should come like one week after egg retrieval. Usually it comes earlier as the progesterone is not there after the ovulation. I had a bleeding after the down regulation because my lining was not existing. But it disappeared with the stimulation.

[Shc1992cc]

I don’t have a similar story in terms of amh and eggs etc but our first round was tragic due to covid so had very poor fertilisation with only one embryo making it to day 3, was a total flop. Second round everything was different with different results and resulted in my now nearly two year old. It’s devastating when you don’t get the numbers or results you hoped for but sometimes that first round gives you the information and knowledge they need to go into the next round (if needed) and can tailor your protocol to hopefully boost your results. If it feels right for you keep going 🤍 it’s a tiring and long journey and it sucks the life out of you but the results can be beautiful you will get there x

[HopelessNaina in reply to Shc1992cc]

Thank you dear! This wasn't actually our first round but it was our 4th in terms of IVF but for this hospital, it was our first. Heart pumps so hard throughout this journey. I'm nurse myself. Even though I'm from medical field, it doesn't help. It can be so stressful.

[PinkCat22]

hi Naina,

I am so very sorry you’ve had this experience. Totally agree with the other posts that suggest changing clinics. In terms of our egg collection results, a clinic change made a huge difference for us. We had a fertility coach based in the U.K. who helped us understand what was going on in our case (as she was an embryologist) and who helped us make an informed decision on clinics. though she was impartial, she was able to give us a lot of information. In the long run, she saved us a LOT of money (we got better results and a way higher embryo yield from ONE round at our new clinic than we did from two at first one).

I don’t know who is good in Australia but I do love Two Lines Fertility on Instagram. She is also an embryologist and provides a lot of guidance. I mention her because she’s an Aussie and may have location specific insight.

Lastly I just want to say that it’s ok to take time to breathe. Protecting your heart in this process is the most importamt thing. Even above taking the next practical step. If you don’t have that intact, the rest never makes sense. So I hope you can take time to heal a bit, look after yourself and surround yourself with people who love you.

Clinics also offer counselling with some cycles so if you haven’t had any and it’s there, taking them up on it could really support you ❤️

I’ve been where you are right now and it feels dark and lonely. But I promise nothing lasts forever - not even this feeling. When the time comes, you can start whatever the next bit of the journey is one step at a time - whatever that journey is. Sending you so much love and hope xxxx

[HopelessNaina in reply to PinkCat22]

Thank you so much PinkCat22 for this wonderful message.. I'll try searching two lines fertility on insta & follow them. Hopefully that helps in some way ❤

[PinkCat22 in reply to HopelessNaina]

Xxx let me know if you can’t find them. Will be keeping everything crossed for you x

[HalifaxCalifornia]

hello hopeless, I was in a similar spot. My doctor told my husband and I that we were completely futile and would never have a baby. Switch clinics now. Even if you have to switch multiple times. It’s worth it until you find the right one. in the end, it is just a Numbers game. Also, you may want to check out my other post., and try googling and looking on Reddit for NMN, NAD plus supplements and Fertility. I went from futile to having a perfectly healthy baby boy at 45 with my own eggs. I’m wishing you all the baby dust.

[HopelessNaina in reply to HalifaxCalifornia]

Wow! Success at 45. So wonderful to hear that. And it's certainly a blessing. I've never seen NMN, NAD supplements in Australia though, but it might be somewhere. I'm just taking folic acid pre conception and CoQ10 150mg at the moment.