Positive IVF stories here please....

[orangina]

My friend has recently gone through her first round of IVF using (previously frozen) sperm from her partner who died last year. She had 3 embryos implanted a few weeks ago but found out this morning that it wasn't successful. She is gutted and feels that although she is prepared to try once more, if it hasn't worked the first time, it's bound not to work the second; I'm sure this isn't the case and was wondering if anyone out there had any stories of successful IVF after unsuccessful that I could let her know about?

She really needs a bit of positivity in her life, she's feeling devastated at the moment...

[orangina]

please?

[orangina]

Ok, will try posting this on conception boards... but please, if anyone has a half way positive story, PLEASE share with my friend (via me....)

[WorzselMummage]

Sorry your friends cycle failed

I have never had IVF but had some fertiltiy issues and found www.fertilityfriends.co.uk to be a great site

[SpangleMaker]

orangina for your friend.

Don't have detailed info I'm afraid, but I've heard today from a someone I know that their recent IVF has been successful (seen heartbeat at early scan) and I'm pretty sure it wasn't their first attempt. I get the impression that, like 'natural' conception, it can be a bit random about whether it works or not and one unsuccessful attempt doesn't mean that future attempts won't work.

Good luck to your friend.

[orangina]

Thanks Worzsel and Spangle for your messages. Will try that website Worzsel and do a search through old threads for a few success stories...

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

I had IVF and it worked first time. A friend of mine has twins from her third cycle - using frozen eggs. I know of many others who had a child on their 2nd or 3rd cycles. Some clinics have better success rates than others - I know there is a site which rates them. Will have a seach and see if I can find it. I think it's also important to read up as much on the procedure first and check that what the clinic is doing is correct. Some nurses not as efficient as others.

[kizzie]

Hi I have twins who were born after my second cycle of IVF (after first cycle failed). Good luck to your friend. Second vote for fertilityfriends website. Fantastic support and info on there x

[peachyfox]

Hi, I had IVF using frozen sperm. Mine worked first time which was quite a fluke but they told me to see it as a 'three shot' thing.

I'm assuming your friend is over 40 because she had 3 embryos put back. The success rates for this age group are about 15% per go. But this can be misleading, because it is based on the people in that age group who seek fertility treatment. I'm also assuming your friend is seeking treatment not because she has known fertility issues but because that is the only way she can conceive with her husbands sperm. It would be interesting to know how many mature eggs she produced after stimming, because this is a far better indicator than age.

The first IVF is often seen as a trial run, and helps the clinic adjust the drug dosage etc.

Fertilityfriends is definitely the place to go - it's more geared towards IVF and other fertility treatments. She'll find a lot of support on there, and other people in exactly the same situation.

There's loads more to say on the subject, if you need any more info, I'll be happy to tell you all I know.

[peachyfox]

By the way, success rates for fertility clinics can be deceptive too, because some clinics won't take older women or women with hormone levels above a certain level.

I meant to add too that at just 40, the stats are actually more like 20%, not 15% as I said above.

But if I believed the stats I wouldn't be sitting here with this big fat tum would I!

[orangina]

Thanks everyone for your input, my friend will be happy to see the positive takes on all of this.

Peachy, yes my friend is just 42 and as far as she knows, she doesn't have fertility issues, she is just dealing with her circumstances. If you don't mind, I might CAT you and then put you in touch directly with my friend (will ask her first), as you seem v knowledgeable about it all.... and congratulations on your pregnancy!

[peachyfox]

Thanks for the congrats Orangina!

Your friend is more than welcome to contact me. Everyone on the IVF trail needs a boost from a friend sometimes

[DavidWillows]

Hello. I have written up my personal experience, from a Dad's perspective, of going through IVF on my blog. I hope it will be of some hope and encouragement. Check it out: davidwillows.squarespace.com/journal/2009/3/7/fragments-of-hope.html