Bleeding mid way through cycle - has this happened to others on IVF or FET cycles?

[hayldrew]

We have been trying to conceive since July 2009, been through IUI, IVF and now onto FET. Last month we had our second IVF cycle but only got to egg collection stage as I suffered from OHSS, so had to be hospitalised and they couldn't proceed with our embroy transfer. We were lucky enough to have 11 healthy eggs for freezing though. So now this month we are on a FET cycle. Started low dosage (25units) of Puregon on day 12. Day 13 started spotting, going from light to much heavier (no real consistancy of flow - very random) between days 13 and now into day 16........still continuing! I have never had this happen mid cycle before. The clinic took more bloods again today to see what's going. I asked the nurse this morning if she has know of this happening before. She was hesitant to say because I guess she didn't want to alarm me, however she eventually said that, no she hadn't seen this happen before, but they should know more today. But now I'm really worried something isn't right.............has anyone else had this happen before? I just want things to settle down so we can get the opprotunity to try a frozen embryo this time........so frustrating!

[Saffy]

Hi hayldrew,
sorry to hear this is so stressful for you (congrats on 11 frozen embies though).

I've had a slightly similar experience- my first FET was a natural cycle ( ie no meds just using opks to track O), I had a transfer then that night i noticed a small amount of brown spotting. I got this same spotting everyday throughout my tww, some days more, some less. I rang my clinic and got a progesterone level done which was low-ish, the nurse thought that might have been the problem, but later my FS ( who I have now left) said everything was fine. Anyway, I eventually got AF and a BFN, which I was expecting of course. I was REALLY upset as I knew there was no hope for the cycle and i had basically 'wasted' the embie, as there was no hope of it implanting if my lining was already shedding.

I know this situation isn't entirely the same as yours, but I would be hesitant to go ahead with a transfer if the bleeding continues, I doubt they would recommend it anyway? Its VERY frustrating to have a cancelled cycle ( I've had 2) but if the signs are there that it isn't going to work I would prefer to have a go when there was a better chance of it working. ( after my last cancelled FET cycle I got a BFP the next month, in retrospect I feel that the first month it wouldn't have worked cos my lining wasn't up to scratch)

I've never had spotting before ovulation or while on puregon so can't comment about whats causing it, but I hope it either stops, or they work out what the problem is! So sorry you are going through this, it is really one of the hardest parts of ivf, the constant frustration of things not going right.

Big hugs to you, I hope you get your bfp really soon!

[hayldrew]

Thanks for the reply Saffy . I know that my estrogen levels were very low for this point in my cycle, so that might explain the bleeding. It would be nice if the doctors actually spoke directly to me so I can ask questions and get answers. Always feel like we are never informed enough. I just hope this afternoon they phone with results. I really want the bleeding to stop asap, the longer it continues the less chance of being able to have the transfer, as I presume the lining will be too thin for implantation anyway . Thanks again for the support, fingers crossed it all turns out for the best

[hayldrew]

Well tests have come back and we have what they keep calling a "baseline" result - every test I have they say it's "baseline"! Hence, the extra period mid cycle. But still no answers as to why this has happened. The scan today revealed a suspicious decomposing follicle which might explain why, but they are still uncertain. Scan today also revealed that the lining was still very thin - basically nothing there - probably because of recent extra cycle mid way through. Lots and lots of follicles though! Clinic now worried about another hyperstimulation scenario and reluctant to increase my puregon to improve the lining thickness. So looks like we may not get an embryo transfer yet again! I hate getting this far and then have to cancel at the transfer stage .

[Saffy]

Bugger hayldrew! That is really disappointing for you both. What is actually baseline? The oestrogen level?
When do you find out if its cancelled? I hope things work out for you, if not this month, then next.
I will probably be doing an FET in another month so come and join us in the Long Term Trying To Conceive Assisted Conception thread when you do your transfer.
Keep your chin up, it will happen!

[hayldrew]

Thanks Saffy. We will know more on Monday after another scan so see if things have improved enough to continue this month. After a chat with the nurse on friday afternoon, they are thinking my ovaries might have had enough of all the stimulating and just not responding to the drugs at the moment. So if no improvement this coming week they may suggest we take a break for a while so things can get back to normal ..........I really don't want to wait........now I'm just hoping and praying that there is improvement by monday for us to go ahead. I will come join the thread when we eventually get our transfer - thanks for the invite PS I think baseline refers to a low estrogen reading