Fracturing/Fragmenting embryos, am I setting myself up for heartbreak

[DSPurple]

Update: Day 5 call, huge turnaround and 2x 5AA and 1x 4BB in the freezer! 2 still being monitored for Day 6 update. This rollercoaster continues to throw us all over the place!

We had our egg retrieval last Friday and we were really happy to have collected 22 eggs. We had 14 in cycle 1 with 4x 5day embryos as a result, so 22 felt good. I was at risk of OHSS both times, but with the high egg count they moved for freeze all this time. I was sad to lose more time, but we completely trust the clinic, they've been amazing, and I know their choices are always for my health and giving us the best chance of a successful pregnancy so my frustration is always time slipping by and never the actual decision.

After the ER we got the update same day to say that 9 fertilised. Then today on to the day 3 call with the embryologist we've been prepared for the worst as all are fracturing. 5 have gone beyond hope and 4 are not looking hopeful. Now we wait on day 5 update. Does anyone have success stories with fracturing embryos? Should I even ask for those or am I setting myself up for more heartbreak? Should I ask you for your less positive experiences to prepare myself?

Honestly, we're just gutted. We're on cycle 2 of our 3 NHS rounds and I just feel so defeated after going through all of the injections and ER to potentially have nothing. Trying not to jump ahead to worst case scenario, but also just so sick of holding out hope for it to be taken away again and again. It feels like everyone around us has kids and anyone we know who did IVF was successful in cycle 1 and on transfer 1 or 2. Trying not to sound like a 5 year old who just wants to stomp her feet and scream "this isn't fair!!!" 🤣

[StarThree]

I just wanted to say I am so sorry you are in this anxious wait, it really is the hardest part and the most awful feeling. I’m sorry i don’t have a positive story to share but I also want to scream and stamp my feet, you don’t sound like a 5 year old, your feelings are so real. I hope you are as ok as can be xx

[Greenleaves1]

I'm assuming fracturing is the same as fragmenting? If so I've read before that embryos can repair yourself.

It's the worst wait ever getting the phone calls for updates. Good luck.

[Hopeful_88]

Hi, I don't have any specific advice or experience of fractured embryos but wanted to say that I'm sorry your going through such a stressful experience. Your feelings are completely valid and it's OK to feel this way.

Every day I also want to scream and shout about how unfair this process is. There are many women on here who have multiple transfers and IVF cycles before getting success so you're definitely not alone and there is always hope! I am certainly holding on to that after never yet having a BFP from 2 IVF rounds and also having had cancellations in the past, it's painful feels like such a waste of time.

My thoughts with IVF are that no cycle or transfer ever seems to go perfectly. It all seems to be a learning curve for the next cycle to be improved on, so then next time it can be optimised and hopefully successful. I know that doesn't help your situation right now but I hope you can keep the faith that one day it will work, and I'm praying for your little embryos to recover from the fracturing 🙏

Did the clinic give any info on what the fracturing means, and if they have seen it before?

Be kind to yourself, sending lots of hugs xxx

[DSPurple]

Thank you all for replying and helping to keep me a tiny bit hopeful. I still can't believe it, but we had our call today and 3 of the little superstars have pulled through and 2 even made it to 5AA quality! The embryologist had to get his manager to look too because he couldn't believe it. We even have 1 more that he is keeping in the running and thinks we might manage to freeze tomorrow. Honestly can't quite believe that it has turned around so dramatically even though I should be used to the rollercoaster by now. 0/10 would not recommend this ride!

[DSPurple in reply to DSPurple]

Another shock last week - not only did we freeze the one he was watching, but there was a second that pulled through - 5 frosties!

[Millbanks in reply to DSPurple]

Wowser!! This is epic news!

Your comment: 0/10 would not recommend this ride - really made me laugh

xx

[DSPurple in reply to Millbanks]

🤣🤣 it is wild isn't it! You celebrate little wins and then every now and again you just get picked up and slammed on the floor again.

[Millbanks in reply to DSPurple]

Oh mate, I've been slammed more times that I care to count!!

But this is a big win!

[DSPurple in reply to Millbanks]

It definitely is, can't even say in words how relieved we were for that news - but I suspect you know that feeling! Here's hoping this is our round!