We had our OTD yesterday and it was a BFN. I think deep down I knew, as I’d started to get some spotting and period cramping the day before. It’s just so heartbreaking 💔
This was our second round of IVF. I (F35) have a low AMH and my partner (M36) has a high DNA fragmentation. First round we had only 2 mature eggs and failed fertilisation. 9 months later after lots of changes our end and a change of clinic, we had much better results. This time we got 5 mature eggs, 3 fertilised normally and we got two blastocysts. We had a day 5 4BB embryo transferred but sadly our other embryo didn’t make it to the stage that they wanted for freezing so now it feels like we’re back to square one.
I just don’t know how people keep going mentally, physically and financially. This journey is so hard. I have no idea on our next steps right now, as we’ve used all our savings. I know I’m never going to get lots of embryos and that not all embryos will implant but with such little numbers I don’t know where to go from here. I never thought we’d get to embryo transfer and now we have I suppose I’m just asking how I can increase our chances of an embryo implanting. I did a vaginal microbiome test the time around but haven’t considered anything else. We have thought about DE but I just don’t feel ready to give up on mine yet, but at the same time I don’t think I could keep going through rounds with such little numbers.
In my mind I feel perhaps one more go with our own eggs and sperm but I’d want to cross all the t’s and dot all the i’s so any advice would be appreciated. Apologies for the long post.
Xx
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Sweet_Chilli10
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One doctor told me that in cases of failed implantation, it is vastly because of chromosomal issues to do with embryo rather than to do with any issues re. the woman herself. So I think it’s a very tough numbers game, unfortunately. But as you are in 30s, could be a reasonable chance of finding one despite low AMH.
If you wanted to check, one thing to do would be a hysteroscopy. I was hoping to do this after finding an embryo that has passed genetic testing, which sadly I haven’t found yet.
As you are under 40, there are some money back programmes if the treatment doesn’t get you a baby, if this is useful at all. Also some finance schemes for those doing ivf. Again I can’t remember the names.
Thank you for your reply. With regards to the chromosomal issues of the embryo, is that out ruled by PGTA testing? We had thought about this but have always been advised that we don’t need it due to our age but we aren’t getting any younger and I definitely see a benefit doing it if it saves you more heartache. The problem is getting a blastocyst to freezing stage so that can be done isn’t it.
I’ve also thought about hysterscopy but again was advised there was no indication for this. These are definitely questions I can ask during our follow up though.
Chromosome issues aren’t completely ruled out by testing. A euploid embryo has a 50% or so chance of implanting (due to issues that the test can’t detect - I think when a chromosome has broken and reattached itself).
Being older my chances of euploidy are bad, so it made sense for us to test and avoid miscarriage. Plus with a PGTA normal, we would do all the advanced investigations on my immune system, implantation window etc. But as I mentioned, I think it seems to be all about finding the right embryo. Apparently at my age, one in eight of my blastocysts could be normal. So far I have had four: 1 failed implantation, 2 tested abnormal and 1 not of sufficient quality to freeze.
Human growth hormone could be one thing to consider. My clinic doesn’t believe in it much (and if didn’t yield results for me) but some clinics recommend it. But at your age, maybe it isn’t needed?
it’s really tough, I can 100% relate to how you feel. I only had one embryo per cycle and it took three cycles to work. I found the multi cycle packages financially better than pay as you go. I went with access fertility and found them good.
I just tried to focus on myself and the next step, it’s a tough time to navigate.
I was lucky enough to have a son from my third cycle and moved to DE when I was 43 after a further three failed transfers. So I definitely think you have more time with your OE.
If you can get one, the multi cycle partial refund packages seem to make sense. I used one for DE, as I was getting too old to be eligible for one with my OE.
I can completely relate, my AMH is very low for my age (31) I have low AFC & high FSH not sure if you have?
I have had 2 rounds of ivf, one abandoned due to poor follicle recruitment & one failed as I began bleeding on my OTD and had a negative test. The second round where it had failed we only had 2 follicles, one egg collected which fertilised and made it to a top grade blast which was transferred. It’s utterly heartbreaking, i don’t understand how people financially, physically and emotionally carry on, I’m totally with you on that.
I have been pushed for DE for my next and final round (I think) as I don’t know how much more I can take. But with me being so young I just don’t want to think of DE just yet, plus that way is also not guaranteed…
We have decided to have a break as I got my negative at the end of March and go again July time abroad, have you considered that? It’s way more affordable. Sending you lots of love, this journey is unbelievably unfair and hard x
What supplements are you taking? I’m taking DHEA and CO Q10 which is supposed to help with egg quality. I take many more but those are the main ones for eggs x
I had my BFN yesterday too. 3rd transfer of two embryos. I completely feel the same as you.. where to now… it’s very heart breaking 💔 and we deserve to take time to reflect and take this in before we decide what to do next. Wishing you and us all the best
Extreme sorry for the journey u are going through. I got my BFP in my 2nd FET. I had 1 egg collection round in which we got 9 eggs out of which 8 matured and fertilised and 7 made to expanded blastocyst stage. In my first FET, it was BFN, but got my daughter in 2nd FET. I had low amh at 31 yrs itself with both blocked fallopian tubes, fibroid in uterus and haemorrhagic cyst in one ovary. My hormone profile was also disturbed due to which i had poor egg follicles and quality. My husband has a good semen profile. It was almost impossible to had a baby with my case.
Accupuncture did wonders in my case. Along with cycle specific seeds consumption as well. It increased my egg quality drastically. After my first failed FET, my clinic suggested to go for ERA test with hysteroscopy which is very essential regarding your implantation window timing. Also I had to undergo myomectomy for my fibroid removal as it got increased in size due to all IVF injections and medicine.
On the morning of 2nd FET, i had accupuncture as it really increases blood flow to uterus and helps with implantation. Finally on day 14 i got my BFP. Now my daughter is 4 months old.
Just a suggestion,you can have your treatment in INDIA as in my clinic I saw patients coming from all around the world and their success rate is also very high.
Best of luck for ur coming future and lots of baby dust to u,,❤️❤️
I’m so sorry… I’ve been there… have you tried Zymot process where they pick the sperm that has less DNA fragmentation… we did that our last round and it worked for us. Sending you a hug!
I’m so sorry for your latest outcome. It is so heartbreaking. Your subject title spoke to me - I don’t know how people keeping going either so just wanted to say I feel this too and also feel lost on next steps.
I think for us it is about continuing to a point until we feel we’ve tried everything we reasonably can so we don’t in 10,20 whatever years when childless think imagine if we’d tried this could it have worked, and the thought of continuing feels harder than stopping. Right now stopping still feels harder. Also 0% credit cards 😖though obviously need plan to pay them off.
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Low fertilisation rate success stories please!
Update - not good news . What to do next?
How do people keep going?!
Donor egg to blastocyst conversion
August, let the ball roll again
