Wondering if anyone who has been in a similar situation can help?
I have low AMH (0.8) and am 43 (partner 46) so am working with low chances here, but want to give my own eggs the best possible shot that I can.
I get around 4 eggs per cycle (apparently great for my AMH). In my first four cycles all or nearly all of the eggs fertilised normally, with one good quality blast per cycle in all but the first cycle (all failed or tested aneuploid).
However in the past two cycles, only one egg per cycle has fertilised normally. I was told the last cycle was probably a one-off biological variation, but clearly not!
The clinic and embryologist said they wouldn’t recommend ICSI after one bad round, but now we have another... Currently waiting for results of the 6th cycle in which I as treated with high dose Rekovelle (previous rounds Pergoveris).
My question is what could be causing sudden poor fertilisation? A dive in egg quality? Sperm parameters are normal and DNA fragmentation test normal. Have been told impossible to tell whether it is the sperm or egg at fault. All of these cycles have followed in quick succession (no long gaps).
Any tips for improving fertilisation rate? Will ask about oocyte activation and ICSI/PICSI for any future round. Also asking about whether a milder approach/lower drug doses may be worth trying.
Was planning on continuing with another batch of cycles but now reluctantly reconsidering if it’s worth it. NOT considering donor eggs just yet (will look at this route if no success in next 6 months), so options would include add-ons to help fertilisation, a new (perhaps milder) approach or switching to trying naturally for a while (again). Any advice welcomed!
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Greenfig123
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hi, it might just be the numbers evening out, probably on average 50% eggs are normal so 1 normal blast per cycle might be about average. I don’t think you’ve had a dip, I think it’s just the chance of averages and some cycles have been above and unfortunately, others below the expected ‘average’ . I was 40 and had what I thought was a disastrous egg collection of 3 eggs from 6 follicles and only 1 fertilised normally but he became my son. I had ‘better’ rounds before that with 9 and 7 eggs collected but all BFN results.
You are still getting blastocysts so that is the main thing and as my consultant told me ‘just a matter of time when the right egg comes up’
I didn’t try the milder IVF but I did find the short protocol better than the long in terms of egg quality even though egg numbers were fewer. It felt a bit more ‘natural’ and I hated the long down regulation which seemed harsh on my body.
I used donor sperm so it was purely down to my egg quality, so I can’t help with fertilisation tips. Your consultant might advise on milder IVF, mine wasn’t a fan but I know there are lots of different approaches. Good luck xx
My AMH is 4.6 and one cycle was abandoned due to only one looking like it would be ready for collection and then the next time we had 2/3, but the 3rd was collected but was not mature. So only 2, they only one fertilised normally. That never actually made it to a blastocyst. I do have serve Endometriosis as well, and I've been told it is likely this has affected my egg quality. So with your AMH being lower, I'd say yes it's wonderful you're getting 4 a round!! It's all so tricky. I don't know if my story is any help but wishing you the best with your next move, whatever that may be.
My clinic uses it to try and select the best sperm for fertilisation. They might not use it if your other half’s motility etc is good but it’s worth an ask. It’s inexpensive to add it to your cycle.. only around £150!
Hi lovely, I have been in this situation, it's such a difficult place to be in, I'm sorry you're going through it.
I started ivf 2 years ago after a year of trying naturally, I had just turned 42. I was told I had a low amh so I was on 300 gonal f and 150 menopur and I was getting around 8-10 eggs at collection, almost all fertilising and 3 good quality blasts. Unfortunately after a miscarriage and a few chemicals, it was discovered I had immune issues.
I decided to have a small break, concentrate on improving egg quality with supps and try naturally for a few months.
Fast forward to mid last year, I started up again and had 3 cycles. I got 15, 16 and 15 eggs collected respectively. The drs were surprised at the increase in numbers, however the fertilisation rate went right down, first cycle 5 fertilised and by day 3 only a couple were compacting so we transferred and bfn with no blasts to freeze. Second cycle 2 fertilised, no blasts at day 5. Third cycle we introduced mechanical egg activation and icsi. 10 fertilised and we got 2 good quality blasts. Fresh transfer was negative and fet ended in yet another chemical. Then it was discovered I had chronic endometritis.
It's hard to say whether it's the embryo or the uterine environment as I've not pgta tested any of my embryos.
I'm at a crossroads and the last 3 months we've been trying again naturally using letrozole for ovulation induction. Again I've been focusing on improving egg quality further with nad, nac higher dose coq10 and vit d. I have partner on them too. Have you tried improving sperm/egg quality and amh?
I have also had one cycle with mild stimulation, I pushed for it as i had read its better for older women but it was unsuccessful only one blast failed to implant. Wouldn't try this again, but it's just my experience.
It's so hard to keep on going , I've had 7 cycles now and 13 embryos transferred. I still have hope and not ready to give up on own eggs, whether that's doing another cycle or trying naturally. Donor eggs will always be there.
Wishing you the best of luck for this current cycles results 🙏 x
Thanks! Sorry that it’s been such a long process for you and wishing you luck for the next try. I was curious about NAC and NAD but there are so many supplements that I get a bit overwhelmed. Do you know how these are supposed to help?
We are both taking supplements containing high vitamin D - think 1000iu. Blood test showed my levels were a bit low.
Currently on 400mg of ubiquinol (was on 200 but one doctor suggested I up my dose). It’s expensive (£60 for 90 capsules and I take 2 a day) but was thinking about having my partner take it too. Can I ask the dose your partner takes?
I totally get it, i take that many supplements too its not fun.
I follow a few drs, naturopaths who have seen a great increase in fertilisation and blast numbers after couples have had 0 blasts, then going on to have like 5 after supplementing with this for a few months.
I believe it is to do will cell regeneration. I've read a study where it reversed age of oocytes in mammals, it obviously hasn't been proven in humans but it is promising. I would def look into it.
I also upped my vit d to 3000 iu and 600 mg ubiquinol. My partner takes 300mg ubiquinol because I can't keep up with the cost of it all, I feel like I'm forever ordering supplements! Fingers crossed it pays off 😚 xx
As a few close doctor friends told us on more than one occasion.. it only takes one egg! So don’t give up.
I was 44 with AMH 0.9 and fibroids and endometriosis. Both my boyfriend and I took CQ10, vitamin D supplements, Pregnacare conception. I stopped all caffeine and alcohol, increased my intake of nuts, avocado, blueberries, lemon and ginger in hot water.
Considering finances, age and my endometriosis pain we decided to do one egg collection. We did mild medicated IVF. I can give you more details if you DM me.
We had 8 eggs, out of which 3 went to blastocyst. One was used for transfer (day 3), one frozen and sadly the last one had to be discarded. Our first round failed. It was quite devastating. When we were in a better place we tried with our frozen embryo. We are now 20 weeks + 2 days.
We didn’t do tests like ICSI or anything. After researching we found it was t going to benefit us.
We used our own eggs, as I was unwilling to go down the donor route.
The doctors should be giving you recommendations if a round doesn’t work. We pushed for answers and I remember they upped my progesterone.
Let me know if you need any more details. And good luck!! Xx
have you tried reading “ it’s all about the egg” it has really helpful tips on supplements and things to do to improve egg quality.
I was exactly the same as you. Averaged four eggs per round- 2 fertilised and blastocyst, but none stuck. I did this 3 times each time getting four and then one would make it to day 5 and not take, frozen eggs failed to thaw properly. I took 3 months off and took all the supplements and I now have a little girl. The drs told me my chances were 10% and to try once. I kept going as hard as it was, but that book I swear made all the difference.
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