First IVF failed - 40 years, 3 eggs, 2 matured, 0 fertilized - any others out there

[littlemama]

Hi

I am a newbie to IVF and this forum. I have noticed most forum goers are in the 20-30 age bracket. Are there any late 30's early 40's who have had a similar experience to me? I am guessing because of my age, my eggs are of poor quality. The FS suggested we try one more time with a higher does (450) and with ISCI assistance? She didnt sound too hopeful, though....

Any advice or suggestions?

[Janie71]

Hi Littlemama,

I am 38 and have been through IVF. I just wanted to wish you luck and keep the faith - the first cycle is often a bit of trial and error to see what dosages you need etc as we all react differently. I have PCOS so my FS was really careful about having me on low doses as PCOS sufferers can overstimulate really easily. There are also many different types of cycles that they can try you on and some work better with some people than others. I did a down regulation cycle that essentially shuts everything down to a base line and then they can control all the hormones better once you start being stimulated - it is a very long cycle as a result. What sort of cycle did you do?

I wasn't in your situation where none fertilised, but we used ICSI straight away so that could have made a difference. I got a BFN on my stimulated cycle, but now have a 16 month old daughter from a HRT FET.

There are heaps of us in that 30/40 age bracket on here, and I am sure more of us will find out way to your post soon to offer more advice.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I just wanted to let you know that there are more of us 'older' LTTCers out there and also to wish you luck in your quest to being a mum.

Janie xxx

[oneday86]

Littlemama, Im not much help either as im not in that age bracket but i wanted to say goodluck and sorry you had to go through all of that with no fertilised eggs! My DH and i needed ICSI (severe male problems) and we ended up with 4 fertilised eggs out of 15 that were collected. I think most people are doing ICSI now as they are finding couples are getting better results this way. Iv seen many stories on here with the couple being same age so dont let that put you down cause there is still hope and like Janie71 said the first cycle is trial and error so hopefully next time once your injection amounts are put up you will hopefully get a better result. Goodluck with everything xx

[milly's mummy]

Hi littlemama

Sorry I'm not in your age bracket either. We have done 3 ivf/icsi cycles now and we didn't make it to transfer twice, it was really hard (the first time we only had one mature egg and it didn't make it and the second time none of our 3 eggs fertilitsed). But the third time we did really well (1/6 ivf fertilised and 6/7 icsi fertilised) and made it to transfer with 2 blasts. I know its hard especially after all the drugs and the EPU but please dont give up, wishing you all the best!

[Princess_Fiona_01]

Hi Littlemama,

Welcome to belly belly! I am 41 and DH is 36 and we are 1/2 way through our 7th IVF cycle, we are doing a HRT FET and am due for implant on Tuesday.


Our beautiful DS was born 2 years ago. We scored it lucky on a natural FET after a boost cycle.

While I dont have PCOS, both my tubes are blocked, I have early onset menopause and DH has low sperm count with poor morphology and motility.

All my stim cycles have been at 450 with ICSI. I wouldnt know what it is like to get more than 2 doses out of a puregon vial!!!!!

Like you my first cycle was a full down reg and it was a total disaster. 7 eggs, only 3 mature enough to use and then only 1 fertilised. implant at day 3. Didnt even make it to blood test before Af arrrived.

As has been said previously, dont get too hung up on the 1st cycle not working, as I personally think its more about your body getting used to the protocol than anything else.

One thing you may want to discuss with your FS is doing boost / flare cycles. i personally find that being that little bit older, my body responds better to the shorter stim cycle than the full down reg. My body getting lazier as it gets older...maybe. All i know is that DS was a FEt from a boost cycle. This time around I have had way more success with the boost cycles - better responses to stims - more eggs - more embies. We actually got some in the freezer. Your FS should be open to discussing different cycles you can do that could improve your success rates.

Good luck with your journey, I hope you are not on the IVF roller coaster for very long. If you have any questions etc feel free to pm me.

Cheers.. FI

[littlemama]

Hi Janie,

Thanks for your reply. I havent given up JUST yet. When I look on here and see people have done up to 7-8 cycles..... I realise I am at the beginning of a journey of hope. Can you tell me what PCOS is? I am a newbie and the lingo escapes me. All I know is when I went to see the FS, and besides internal scans and a blood test - nothing else has been looked at. I presume because of my age - it is easy to guess why I am not getting pregnant.
I think my last cycle was a down regulation cycle ??also. I think they did shut everything off. I used the spray Synarel during the whole cycle up until the end, as well as the 300 shots everyday and finally the trigger. Yes. It was a long cycle! Since I am terrified of injections it was tough going.
Congratulations on your daughter - it is all truly amazing !
thanks again for your reply -

Linda

A couple of more questions - what is BFN? Is it Blastocyst Embryo transfer? What is HRT - FET? Is that from the from the frozen embryo cycle?

Hi Littlemama,

I am 38 and have been through IVF. I just wanted to wish you luck and keep the faith - the first cycle is often a bit of trial and error to see what dosages you need etc as we all react differently. I have PCOS so my FS was really careful about having me on low doses as PCOS sufferers can overstimulate really easily. There are also many different types of cycles that they can try you on and some work better with some people than others. I did a down regulation cycle that essentially shuts everything down to a base line and then they can control all the hormones better once you start being stimulated - it is a very long cycle as a result. What sort of cycle did you do?

I wasn't in your situation where none fertilised, but we used ICSI straight away so that could have made a difference. I got a BFN on my stimulated cycle, but now have a 16 month old daughter from a HRT FET.

There are heaps of us in that 30/40 age bracket on here, and I am sure more of us will find out way to your post soon to offer more advice.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help, but I just wanted to let you know that there are more of us 'older' LTTCers out there and also to wish you luck in your quest to being a mum.

Janie xxx

[littlemama]

Hi Fiona,

Thanks for your reply and warm welcome to belly belly. Good luck with implantation on Tuesday!! It is the two weeks afterward that is torture - we attempted 3 IUI's prior to IVF. Ill keep my fingers crossed for you.
I was wanting to know more about the boost / flare cycle. I havent heard about it before? Does that mean your on 450 the whole time? That is the plan for my next attempt. Or is a boost cycle something else? In the meantime - I am going to improve my diet, meet with a naturopath, and attempt to jog everyday and meditate. I don't know how I am meant to fit that all in - but will try anything at this point!!

Thanks for your reply and good luck on Tuesday !

Linda

Welcome to belly belly! I am 41 and DH is 36 and we are 1/2 way through our 7th IVF cycle, we are doing a HRT FET and am due for implant on Tuesday.


Our beautiful DS was born 2 years ago. We scored it lucky on a natural FET after a boost cycle.

While I dont have PCOS, both my tubes are blocked, I have early onset menopause and DH has low sperm count with poor morphology and motility.

All my stim cycles have been at 450 with ICSI. I wouldnt know what it is like to get more than 2 doses out of a puregon vial!!!!!

Like you my first cycle was a full down reg and it was a total disaster. 7 eggs, only 3 mature enough to use and then only 1 fertilised. implant at day 3. Didnt even make it to blood test before Af arrrived.

As has been said previously, dont get too hung up on the 1st cycle not working, as I personally think its more about your body getting used to the protocol than anything else.

One thing you may want to discuss with your FS is doing boost / flare cycles. i personally find that being that little bit older, my body responds better to the shorter stim cycle than the full down reg. My body getting lazier as it gets older...maybe. All i know is that DS was a FEt from a boost cycle. This time around I have had way more success with the boost cycles - better responses to stims - more eggs - more embies. We actually got some in the freezer. Your FS should be open to discussing different cycles you can do that could improve your success rates.

Good luck with your journey, I hope you are not on the IVF roller coaster for very long. If you have any questions etc feel free to pm me.

Cheers.. FI[/QUOTE]

[littlemama]

Hi

thanks for your reply. Your story was very encouraging. I was shocked that no eggs fertilised and that must mean it is all over. My FS did state it didnt look great for me. Would give it another go - but if nothing happened, then....
It is encouraging to hear someone else had a similar experience but then were more successful with future cycles. Great to hear!!

thanks


S

[hierophant]

Hi littlemama, I'm 38 and doing IVF - have done two stimulated cycles (both ICSI) so far and one FET, all unsuccessful. We will be starting our fourth cycle (another FET) later this week. I did an antagonist cycle for my second stim cycle and it was far more successful than my first stim as I went from 7 eggs from first stim at EPU to 21. I now have 12 lovely frozen embryos waiting for me. Not sure what advice to give but best of luck with it all.

[Princess_Fiona_01]

Hi littlemama,

A boost / flare cycle is a shortened stim cycle.

Day 1 no drugs
Day 2 synarel
day 3 - 14 (roughly) synarel & puregon/ goanl f
Day 15 - trigger shot
Day 16ish - egg pick up and implant etc as per full down reg cycle


From what I understand this type of cycle is designed to take advantage of the bodies natural hormone(?) surge.

Cheers...Fi

[Saffy]

Hi littlemama,
Don't worry there is heaps of us, ahem, mature ladies out there!

I'm 38, as is my partner, we are just commencing our first ivf cycle after TTC since jan 09. I am unsure how my body will respond with follicles etc so it appears it really is a test run the first time. Don't lose hope yet, it sounds like plenty of people don't have success initially and then things improve with some fine tuning.

Also, don't be afraid to seek a second opinion if your FS is saying there's no hope, I know someone who was told that and went to another FS after many years and now has a baby!

There is a forum for older women who are trying to conceive, it is in the Conception section under 'forum buddies', maybe you will feel comfortable there? I can't really offer any advice other than that I have found this forum extremely helpful and supportive, to get you through the ups and downs that TTC brings

Good luck and stay positive!

[littlemama]

Hey Fi
Yes. That is the cycle i just did - with no success. Oh well. Thanks for the explanation

Linda

Hi littlemama,

A boost / flare cycle is a shortened stim cycle.

Day 1 no drugs
Day 2 synarel
day 3 - 14 (roughly) synarel & puregon/ goanl f
Day 15 - trigger shot
Day 16ish - egg pick up and implant etc as per full down reg cycle

From what I understand this type of cycle is designed to take advantage of the bodies natural hormone(?) surge.

Cheers...Fi