IVF #3 Cycles or more

[FingersXssd83]

I thought I'd start a thread for anyone who has undertaken multiple cycles.

We're about to start our third next month and all being well this one will work although I'm under no illusions that it will.

However, our consultant said that about 60% of women are pregnant by their third cycle with CARE so I'm trying to remain optimistic!

I'm 35 so keen to get our BFP soon.

We've had a single and a double 5DT and although we don't get many eggs or embryos they all get to blast so feel relatively lucky in that regard.

It would be great to hear from ppl in a similar position or who finally got their BFP after multiple rounds 💖 xx

[Lauren83]

My son was a 5th time lucky (twice with own eggs and 3 times with donor eggs) honestly thought I would never get there. Huge good luck!

[MrsC18]

Hey @FingersXssd83 do you know when you're starting the next cycle? I'm starting the second cycle with my next period but this will be my 4th transfer. From the first cycle we had 3 failed single transfers.
I'm also 35 and we are unexplained.

It's hard to keep the faith as we've never had a BFP but we're hopeful obviously that it will be our turn soon too.

We're very lucky, we have NHS funding and are entitled to 3 cycles, and like you had 3 good embryos get to a 5 day blast.

Have you had any additional tests? Do you have plans for any add ons? I've had the implantation and clotting blood tests that are normal and have been offered the endo scratch, but not decided whether to have this yet.

I'm not excited at all. On the last FET, I was honestly terrified I would forget to take the medication as I wasn't thinking about it at all, such a stark contrast to the first where I was thinking about it morning, noon and night, eating pineapple, taking all of the supplements I could think of, keeping my feet warm and having acupuncture every 2 days! I've realised that if it was possible to make this happen by sheer force of will, then I would be pregnant. But I'm not, and I need to chill out and make sure that I maintain my life outside of IVF just in case it's not going to happen.

[FingersXssd83]

Gosh @Lauren83 so pleased it eventually worked out for you! That sounds like a rough journey but I'm sure it's now well worth the wait! x

@MrsC18 I know it probably doesn't feel it but you're really lucky to have had frozen embies. We didn't unfortunately, hence why our consultant keeps trying new things to up our egg numbers.

He said that the tests for clotting and immunology etc are so expensive (and there's no evidence that they work), that he's advised us to take the medication without them. So we're on Clexane, Baby Aspirin and Prednisolone for our third round.

We paid extra for the embryoscope and glue for the last rounds so we'll do that again. I've also been taking Ubiquinol, wheatgrass and Spirulina since our last cycle failed and have started exercising.

I'm day one of a bleed after our last failed cycle so I'll hopefully be starting our third in a month's time.

I'm in that semi-hopeful phase now. Who knows how long it'll last!

I agree it's important to try and not let it become too overwhelming. Are you going to try anything new for your second round to try and keep your sanity? xx

[Kel801]

Good luck. We were successful after round 3. Keep going xxx

[MissSmiley]

We were successful on our 5th, 7th and 9th cycles

[MrsC18]

@FingersXssd83 I love that little glimmer of excitement you get ahead of a cycle where you believe it's possible but without the stress and pressure of having started the cycle.

Very lucky to get 3 embryos to blast, aside from the lack of pregnancy the clinic have been very happy with the cycles

We've had the embryoglue and embryoscope too. I've stopped taking supplements in temper I guess, dependant on the outcome of this next cycle will determine if I start taking them again I guess.

Nothing will be different this cycle, the consultant had put me back on the same protocol as they were happy with it. They've offered an endo scratch, which I'll have if this transfer doesn't work. The research is poor for it being effective but tbh like most women in our position, I'll pretty much try anything that could make it work!

[FingersXssd83]

Congratulations @Kel801! Can I ask how old you were when you got your BFP?

Wow @MissSmiley did you just keep going or did you change anything? Do you have three LOs now? I really want four which I think is unlikely but your story gives me hope!

@MrsC18 Good luck with your cycle. Sounds like you're in a great position, it's just a case of waiting for that special embryo to stick 🤞🏻

xx

[MissSmiley]

I was diagnosed with immune issues before cycle 7 so took prednisone after that. Immune issues due to undiagnosed coeliac disease
Had twins on cycle 9 and then a surprise natural conception giving us our fifth child three years later

[FingersXssd83]

How lovely @MissSmiley sounds like you have your hands full :D

It's so hard to stay positive going through this especially as we end up with only a few embryos so I feel like it'll take forever (if at all!).

I think we'll do up to 6 cycles (we luckily get 3 on the NHS) although I really struggled emotionally on the second, so we'll see how we get on.

Good luck to anyone else out there on three cycles above!! It's a shitty journey but hopefully it'll work out for us eventually 🤞🏻 x

[MissSmiley]

Good luck @FingersXssd83
My oldest is 16 now, youngest is 8 so things are much easier nowadays, all I can say is don't give up on your dream and make sure you take up the free counselling

[Kel801]

@FingersXssd83 sorry for the late response. I was 32 and 33 when I had him x

[Catren]

Best of luck fingersxd, i remember you from a few months ago on these boards. I'm 8w now after my third FET (only one ivf cycle so probably doesn't count). I really hope this is the month for you 💐

[FingersXssd83]

Thanks for letting me know @Kel801 although the doctor says my eggs aren't poor quality, I can't help but wish I was younger going through this.

Hey @Catren I remember you! Massive congratulations. I think NICE recommend three cycles for those of us who don't get any frosties so hopefully three is a lucky number for both of us! Hope the pregnancy is going well x x

[WhenIsTheEasyBit]

My DS - now 18 - was 5th time lucky, last four ICSI, conceived when I was 38. Then DD came along four years later after three rounds with frozen embryos. Hugs and good luck to everyone on the rollercoaster.

[FingersXssd83]

Thanks for sharing @WhenIsTheEasyBit Sounds you had a slog getting your BFPs. Hope your LOs are doing well!

I had been doing well but emotionally crashed yesterday.

Considering booking another counselling appointment before our next cycle starts, I just feel so exhausted and demotivated.

Hope everyone else has a better day today x x

[WhenIsTheEasyBit]

Fingers there has been nothing like it in my life. Totally worth it, and it definitely made me a stronger person, but it was so draining. The hoping despite telling yourself not to hope is what I remember most vividly.

In hindsight, I think counselling at the time might have helped me avoid some issues later. I had PND after DC2, and I think that was partly a response to no longer being on the rollercoaster: hard as it had been, it had been a huge part of my life. So I think the fact that you are having or considering counselling now is very healthy.

Really wishing you all the best on your journey.

[ViolaD77]

@fingers I'm 34, starting 3rd cycle on 1st April but it'll be my FET. Fertility issue is low AMH however I've produced a good batch of 5bb/4bb. My last fresh cycle was icsi 2weeks ago which failed. Dr's said its just down to luck now. Sending baby dust to everyone xxx