Please help me!!!

[babystar]

Hi, I'm newish here
I really need some advice from all you long term assisted conception ladies
My history:-
30yo, healthy and fit, normal weight, no med probs.
diagnosed with annovulation and PCOS (no symptoms)
Started IVF in Nov.
25 eggs, 15 fertilized, 7 frozen blasts.
#1 fresh (NOV) (after pickup was a bit hyperstimmed...Dr though maybe no implantation due to hormone levels which may have been to high and impeded implantation?)=BFN (top quality blast)
#1 FET (DEC)- 80% cell survival and dark shadow on thawed blast. BFP, but HCG never went above 80...chem. Was on prednisolone 25mg per day (just to try, no reason really) and cartia.
#2 FET (FEB) Transferred 100% cell surviving blast, lining 13mm, on pred and asprin, fish oil and mulitivit. Rested in bed for two days and then basically took it very easy for a week.....just got BFN!!

So, is this just luck of the draw, or should I be worried that there is something wrong with me? seeing the Spec on Thurs and don;t know what to ask. Am starting a back to back FET now (started again on estrogen as per his instructions) for transfer in 2 weeks. I have had my basic clotting done (normal ) thyroid (normal), what should I ask for if anything? Really thought that if the 80% blast implanted, that the 100% one would? It it really just luck? I'm young and healthy with probs overcome by IVF/ICSI and have had 3 failed transfers and I'm now very worried!!! There is nothing even wrong with me!! I get heaps of eggs, heaps of blasts, great lining 100% thaw and still nothing? Any ideas? Just want to know if it's just a matter of luck or if I should be getting testing done? Also, I have 4 blasts left frozen, we are thinking of transferring 2 this time, is that a good idea. We are happy to have twins. Will that increase our chances with a FET? Or should I do a no #2 stim cycle and do a fresh? So confused and frustrated!! I don;t usually go on message boards, but REALLY need some advice!!! xxxxx

[LizLemon]

Hi babystar

I can't really advise you on the specifics and numbers and stuff but for example here is my history. I have mild endo and DH has sperm issues.

Fresh cycle 1 - heaps of eggs retrieved, overstimulated and had a freeze all. Frozen day two and I think we got about 5. This was prior to them doing vitrification in the freezing procees.

FET Number 1 - BFN

FET Number 2 - BFN

Fresh cycle number 2 - I think we got about 15 eggs collected, and about 2 blastocysts grown. 1 blastocyst transferred - BFN

We took a 6 month break and cleared our heads

Fresh cycle Number 3 - Can't recall how many eggs we got, but they were worried that I was polycystic because it looked like they were going to collect a whole heap of underdeveloped eggs. They were going to use IVM (I think that's what it's called) but in the end it wasn't needed because they got (I think) 13 eggs of good size. We got about 4 blastocysts, 1 transferred and we finally got our BFP. and our amazing son is 20 months old today.

We then went back in October to try for number 2 and using a frosty from the #3 fresh cycle we got a BFP first go.

I'm giving you these details just to show that it really is a waiting game. In most cases IVF will put you in the position of normal fertility, which has an average success rate of 25%. This means on average normal, fertile couples will take four goes before they get pregnant. So as hard as it is please try and be patient.

I should also say though communication with your FS is key - don't be afraid to ask questions about your results and whether they indicate anything that either requires a change of approach or something else. I found the embryologist to be my best source of info at my clinic - he was a godsend.

Hopefully one of the other ladies may have an experience that is closer to your situation, but in the meantime hang in there. The outcome is definitely worth all the stress!

[Lily Dust]

Hi babystar and welcome to Belly Belly

What can I say, really....ivf is just plain old sucky and it really is luck of the draw IMO. I think at this stage your specialist wont be too concerned as I know mine believed that 4 FULL cycles not transfers was pretty average for a couple before conception, but of course there are always those it happens for quickly iykwim? I dont know where you are but 2 blastocyst transfers are becoming much rarer and the clinic we went to refused to do it as they felt you have more chance with just the 1. Being happy to have twins is one thing but tbh it is met with much higher complications then a singleton baby. I was where you are and thought twins would be great....hindsight is a wonderful thing. Im sorry if Im sounding negative about it, I dont mean to be but it really is a waiting game. Waiting to start, waiting to start again and waiting for that much longed for baby. We started IVF at 22 with unexplained infertility, no reasons and no answers have ever been given for our infertility. I know how frustrating it can be but do ask questions, ask why and why not and get the answers from your specialist because his/her and their clinic will have such different protocol for your cycle. I do hope you get your longed for bubba soon

[LizLemon]

Sorry, I didn't see the bit about twins. As Lily Dust said most clinics are hesitant to transfer more than one embie - our clinic told us that in FS circles they actually see multiples as a "failure", which while I find offensive, I can understand as it does increase your risk of complications.

We were also told that statistically it doesn't increase the chance of "success", it only means that if you do have success it will most likely be twins, ie it's kind of all or nothing IYKWIM?

Our clinic only offered it in strict circumstances, one of which being 3 prior failed transfers. We were offered the chance to try two, and declined. It's kinda good we did as I prefered not to have twins.

[TaRhLi.]

Hi Babystar

Your situation sounds similar to mine so I'll give you my transfer stats as it might help you.

At EPU 30 eggs retreived and 18 fertilised with 15 maturing - 10 day 3 embryo's & 5 day 5 embryo's.

Fresh Transfer after retreival 1 day 3 embryo transferred (also had slight hyperstim) which resulted in chemical pregnancy. Remaining embryo's frozen.

FET #1 - 2 day 3 embryo's transferred (both survived with high %) BFN

FET #2 - 2 day 3 embryo's transferred (both survived with high %) suspected ectopic with m/c 3 days later

FET #3 - 2 day 3 embryo's transferred (both survived with high %) BFP resulted in DD

Remaining frozen embryo's at that stage - 3 day 3 embryo's & 5 day 5 embryo's

FET #4 - 2 day 5 embryo's transferred (3 thawed as 1 did not survive) BFN

FET #5 - 2 day 3 embryo's transferred (both survived with high %) BFP with twins due in May

What I wanted to show was that by having multiple embryo's transferred it won't necessarily mean with will have twins (or more) it will really rely on the quality of the embryo's if they both survive. As you can see for us we have used up 10 frozen embryo's doubling up each time (not including the one that didn't survive) and had a singleton pregnancy and now a multiple pregnancy. My clinic only allowed me to undertake multiple transfers as I had so many embryo's and also due to my age and we have always been willing to take the risk of having multiples, although saying that if we had multiples first then I would have only had single transfers done to try and achieve another pregnancy.

I wish you all the best for your next FET and fingers crossed that you have a sticky bubba waiting for you

[Loula]

We have done 5 stims and 10 FET's resulting in 7 pregnancies with one live baby.

I am very sure that if i had had the investigations sooner than one or more of my angels would be here now. I do not think it all 100% luck for anyone, there are many factors that can be 'controlled' I would suggest that if you are feeling like there is something else niggeling away at you, then that warrents further investigation, talk to your FS.

I did not rest until a FS agreed that there was something with my symptoms that was causing my recurrent MC and difficult LTTTC. We used IVF for 7 years. My first cycle with the FS that listened I fell pg with my only living child and he is what keeps my hart beating every day

[Loula]

FWIW I have had over 90 eggs collected in 5 stims, usually over 20 per PU.

My last collection resulted in 28 eggs collected and 23 fert to get 12 blasties. I too was always told that i have wonderful blasties. with a 100% thaw rate (so far)

Thinking about it more your history sounds very simular to mine (TTC) I am unable to PM you as you are a new member, the only option would be to give your details to a mod and I could email you some information