FS Advice and thoughts on FET's

Hi Girls,

I am currently with Melb IVF and have been seeing my FS for 3 yrs now and really do love him. I have been lucky enough to fall pg twice on fresh cycles but one was a blitum (sp) ovum and the other I lost at 16w due to my waters breaking.
Now when I have a artificial FET I always get af on day 10, when progesterone is upped I get it day 12, then when I did a natural FET I did'nt O until over day 30 thanks to my pcos but then af didn't show until day 13.

We are blessed to have 17 frostie bubs which I am so scared of using due to my history of af showing before I finish the tablets. Now when I went in for a scan before my last EPU last yr a nurse said to me have I thought about seeing another FS due to how many times we had been for transfer (up to our 9th one). She said if it was her and she had been for so many she would seek another opinion.

I just need to know what does everyone else think and have you done this and had success?? I know IVF is very much a numbers game, but we have been luck to have fallen twice before. I have had a lap and a hysto with a biopsy being taken of my uterus and all was ok, obviously except for my crushed tubes. When I lost my daughter last yr all the bloods were taken and it was discovered that I had the blood clotting disorder but not bad enough that the blood specialist said I don't need cardiprin, although that is not going to stop me from taking it and my OBS agree's.

I am just so confused as I do love my FS but I am 36 in 2 weeks, we don't have money coming out of our butts and I just need some thoughts and positive stories from you. Also can I ask what type of FET protocoles you did.

Thanks for listening
Shazz.
xx

Shazz, who are you seeing at the moment? I was a patient with Lyndon Hale.

Jim Tsaltas.

It can be comforting to be with the same doctor. Just know you could always go back to him again later even if you switched for awhile. I'm a nurse and rarely we would offer that kind of advice since it is a bit disloyal. I'm just wondering if that nurse might have a point. You could always get a full copy of your chart and just go for a "consultation" with someone else to see what they would do differently. Ask around for the best in the area.
Heather

I've heard Jim is very good but I have never met him personally. Maybe a second opinion might not be a bad idea. At least you will feel as if you have covered all the bases. Have you read a book called "Getting Pregnant" by Dr Robert Jansen? It explains conception, infertility, miscarriage and assisted conception methods in full detail. It might give you some idea of questions to ask or suggestions for treatment that you can bring up with your doctor. I always recommend this book to people because I found it so helpful myself.

Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

I haven't had any FETs yet (coming up later in the year - we have nine frozen embryos) so I can't give you more information there.

i think if you are asking yourself the question you should probably seek a second opinion - he/she may just say exactly what your current FS has already advised and at least then you can put that doubt to rest.

I agree, get copies of your file to take with you so they can be as informed as possible.

I made a recent change of FS and couldnt be happier - this may not end up the case for everyone, but I think its worth it even just to remove any doubts you have.

Hi Shazz,
I think a second opinion would be good for your peace of mind, now that the nurse has sewn the seeds of doubt in our mind. Also, as you unfortunately have a few things going against you, I would look at going to someone who specialises in PCOS. I just had a look at your current guys specialties and it did not mention PCOS so maybe you need that looked at a bit closer. Also I always think that if you are going to change, then change clinics altogether ie. try Monash instead then you get new scientists, new cultures, new everything which may just make the difference.
good luck shazz - you have got so close once, it must be very frustrating and sad to be making this decision.

Just want to say good luck...:stickyvibesboy:

I hope this will copy...


1. PGD preimplantation genetic diagnosis (what you will be doing by the sounds of it... )

2. Thickening of the zona pellucida or egg shell ( I had this.. ) this is where they do AH - assisted hatching

3. Coculture -- where often the patient's endometrial cells from uterus are used to create a natural environment... this is not often used in most clinics.

4. Evaluatsion to rule out fibroids, polyps, or scar tissue by a HSG or a saline infusion ultrasound. (sonohysterography) or even visualization with a hysteroscopy. Biopsy can occasionally demonstrate chronic endometritis (inflammation of the uterus). ---- here they give antibiotics

5. Very thin endometrial lining, improve blood supply to uterus including taking baby aspirin, vaginal estrogen, as well as vaginal viagra suppostories. (yeah!! on that one)

6. Uterine environment can be (-) affected by the presence of hydrosalpinges (dilated Fallopian tubes) this results in lower preg rates, lower embryo implantation, and higher risk of m/c INTERESTING ! Data shows removal of affected tubes improves significant chances. Diagnosed by HSG, Lap, or even transvaginal ultrasound if they are large enough.

7. A specialized endometrial biopsy occasionally provides information on intrinsic endomentrial defects that can be detected utilizing experimental tests such as the "endometrial function test" or a test for ?- integrins. (yes typed it exactly)

8. Immune system in some cases of preg failure , esp. for patients with recurrent preg loss. Some say those who don't get preg are actually experiencing a very early loss due to immune issues. Treatments include baby aspirin, heparin (blood thinner), corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin infusions (IVIG) this is getting more controversial

9. Even more controvercial is the evaluation for inherited thrombophilias (Factor V Leiden, Protein S, Protein C, Antithrombin III, MTHFR and prothrombin G20210A mutation. These patients have a higher risk of thrombosis (blood clotting) and preg complications. Impact on IVF has never been demonstrated.

Maybe too much information ... but interesting never-the-less.


Heather
_________________
we can and will make it happen!!!
"family" may not be what we had always intended. Adoption is a baby/child who desperately needs a mother, and a women to be a mother.

5 failed IUIs
IVF # 1 BFN
starting FET Mar. 2007

Ok sorry no lead in there.... the above is from a fertility magazine out of the U.S. with lovely Brooke Sheilds on the front call Fertility Today. This is some of the options they give for those experiencing continued IVF failures. I hope this may help someone. The other option not mentioned is to request implantation of more than say two embroyos. I've heard here in Oz that may require you to go infront of a "board" to state your case. If too many take their is "selective reduction" where embryos can or may need to be decreased for the safety of the others.

Heather