experience of mild IVF?

[emma_g87]

Hi all,

I posted last week about the total failed fertilisation we experienced during our most recent cycle in February. We have our review meeting with our consultant today to discuss next steps and trying to work out what questions I should be asking at this stage.

One thing I have been thinking about since last weeks terrible news about the fertilisation is what things might help to boost my egg quality and I have done a little bit of reading around mild IVF cycles? Does anyone on here have any experience with this? How did you find it and what was the outcome?

For reference, I'm 37 and have completed 4 fresh cycles, and 1 FET. I have had BFPs twice but both unfortunately ended in miscarriage.

My AMH at age 34.5 was 12.3, but most recent AMH, taken at age 36.5 was 7.9. First 3 fresh cycles in 2022 and 2023 all resulted in 7 eggs being collected, with two eggs fertilising and one making it to blast. This was despite my consultant increasing the does of stims each time (150, 225, 450). In my latest fresh round (Feb 2025) my stims does was high - 375 - (although not as high as the previous fresh cycle) and we only ended up with 4 eggs, 3 mature and 0 fertilised. I can't help but think that we need to focus on quality of the eggs, rather than quantity, especially since higher doses don't seem to have yielded any improvement in numbers in the past? I'm also so conscious that in the break between my fresh cycles my AMH seems to have dropped quite a bit so anything we can do to ensure quality will be important.

Would love to hear from anyone in a similar position? What did your consultant recommend? Was mild IVF an option?

[Millbanks]

Hello lovely,

It might not be your bag but I saw a fertility nutritionist who really helped me. She recommended supplements and certain types of foods which I do believe helped in my egg quality.

I can let you know her name if you fancy it or I can just tell you what she recommended for me?

xx

[emma_g87 in reply to Millbanks]

Ooh, thank you so much! I’d actually love both if that’s ok? Curious to hear what she recommended but may also consider getting in touch to see if there’s anything more specific for me she’d recommend. Xx

[Millbanks in reply to emma_g87]

Will pm you xx

[emma_g87 in reply to Millbanks]

Thank you - you are so kind 🙏

[Dietcoke2025]

Hi Emma, have you read 'It starts with the egg'. I found this so helpful in improving my egg quality. Good luck x

[WHeatherW]

Hi Emma, my story is quote similar to yours!

I had two rounds on 375 meriofert where we got 2 eggs and then 3 eggs, 1 fresh embryo transferred both times - both BFN and nothing for the freezer. I did a lot of research into mild ivf and was hoping my new consultant would let me try it, but she actually suggested it to me first.

I've now done 2 rounds on mild (both slightly different but stims were every other day and a lower dose). We got 5 eggs and 7 eggs - but I still only ended up one 1 fresh transfer each time, but I've been 'closer' to getting something for the freezer each time.

I've recently had my follow up appointment with the consultant (now private), he suggested we do something different again (I can't remember the name of the protocol, it had 'Canadian' in there though) and do ICSI. It's our last round, certainly with my OE at least.

My inbox is always open if you want anymore info. Wishing you lots of luck for your next round xx