Unexplained infertility and IVF

[Bubblegum89]

We are having to look into IVF after being diagnosed with unexplained infertility. I’ve been pregnant naturally twice in the past (have one DD) and so every doctor I’ve seen has told me “it will happen because it’s happened before” not sure it works that way lol. I’m one of those annoying people who got pregnant while on the pill. Both times. Now we’ve had 19 months of zero pregnancies. Clearly there’s something wrong but they just don’t know what it is.

I’m a little worried about going ahead with IVF as I’m skeptical about it working. There’s an issue in there somewhere so if I can’t conceive on my own with good sperm, good egg reserve, regular ovulation and an apparently perfect lining, then what’s the likeliness IVF will even work? The last fertility doctor I saw said that we had two options; keep trying or go for IVF. He said he didn’t recommend IUI in our particular situation.

I realise I’m overthinking massively and I’ll never know until we try but I was just wondering if any of you ladies on here have had IVF with unexplained infertility and been successful?

[physicskate]

At my clinic I think most people are unexplained. I am unexplained. My fibroid and multicystic ovaries (not pcos) should not stop me getting pregnant. They haven't run many tests on me - three blood tests and a few internal ultrasounds. So of course I'm unexplained because they haven't done many tests to find the explanation...

I know it's frustrating. But they do say that 50% of people not getting pregnant in the first year will get pregnant in the second...

And yes - you getting pregnant on the pill (twice) is very annoying

[Bubblegum89]

Haha trust me, I hate myself for being one of “those” people so I can only imagine how much other people hate me. Maybe this is my comeuppance!

I’ve had all the tests they would offer me. All blood tests, partner did 2 SA, had one internal US to check follicles etc then another alongside a SIS and a HyCoSy. Everything came back absolutely fine for both of us. The specialist said that statistically speaking, 85% of couples will conceive within 1 year and 95% within 2 years. We’re stopping ttc after this month for a while as it’s all getting a bit much so won’t be thinking about going for IVF until at least the autumn. Obviously I hope we don’t need it but also trying to remain realistic!

How odd that they’ve not done many tests on you. Lucky they clinic I was under was extremely thorough even if the outcome was “we still don’t know”.

[GrumbleBumble]

I was "unexplained". Tried for two years fell pregnant in month 24, miscarried at 8 weeks. Tried for another year. Started tests and investigations (taking the best part of another year) no cause found - husband has plentiful, mobile sperm. I ovulate and release eggs, no tube blockages etc. 6 rounds of IUI taking us to the end of year 5. Two unsuccessful IVF cycles in year six. Good number of eggs, good fertilization rate two embryos transferred each time. Development of the embryos was where there seem to be a problem i.e. we had day four numbers of cells on day five and were never able to freeze embryos. Almost 7 years binning contraception IVF try three lead to a singleton pregnancy (again two transferred) and I went on to have my son. 5 more years and not so much as a scare despite no contraception. So it did work for us but it wasn't quick or easy.

[Bubblegum89]

That’s crazy, Grumble I’m sorry you had such a long journey to get your son :( my only guess as to what could be wrong with me is egg quality or something similar. My periods aren’t great (the one I just had lasted for less than 24 hours) so I do wonder if there could be a hormonal issue that they don’t test for

[GrumbleBumble]

I kind of threw a spanner in the works by very briefly getting pregnant just as investigations were about to start! We also moved (completely new area) so that set things back a bit.