Apologies for the length of this post. It's the first time I've posted on this and Ive been meaning to for a while now to hopefully offer some hope to others.
Ttc 4 years from ages 32, unexplained infertility after all routine tests. Although slightly low amh so low ovarian reserve but they still said unexplained and not cause of infertility. Healthy bmi, lifestyle diet etc. Non smoker, not a big drinker.
1 failed round of ivf on highest long protocol dosage. I only managed 1 follicle/egg.
Egg fertilised perfectly but did not progress beyond day 3, although did not regress or collapse either, so had our wee embryo transfer as planned on day 5 anyway. Dr's advised it unlikely to result in pregnancy but could not be 100% sure as it's not an exact science! I felt in my heart that it would not work out but felt that back to my body was the right place for this little embryo.
Anyway it wasn't to be, so devastated that our last hope (ivf) did not work out, we decided to take a break from it all and book a holiday then come back to it all in a few months by going down the private ivf route (nhs would not offer any further ivf if 1st round resulted in less than 3 follicles/eggs). They would however support me in egg donation but I was absolutely not anywhere near ready to go there or even talk about it at that stage!
Just two months later out of the blue I fell pregnant naturally! It was incredible!!! I am still pinching myself. Our little bundle of joy is now almost 7m old and is so perfect in every way. All the years of struggles and pain just melt away and it feels like we had to go through this journey to finally bring this little one into our arms. I can't explain it properly but I am so very grateful for what we went through now as it means that we now have our baby, this baby, and we wouldn't have her if we'd have fallen pregnant successfully at any other time, hope that makes sense.
I don't know whether it was the 'stopping trying', the ivf meds that kick started my hormones or whether it's just the right time. We will never know.
What I will say is that I tried everything during those 4 years; not all at the same time though, nobody can be that perfect :).
Here's the list:
cut way back on refined sugar, non toxic cleaning chemicals, no caffeine, lots of supplements, no plastic containers, tried to stop trying, acupuncture, massage, reflexology, yoga, mindfulness, no baths, husband no baths, different positions, legs in air after, organic sanitary towels, no parabens or phthalates in products, no aerosols, exercise, no exercise, smoothies, all organic, low carbs, more daylight, less electric items around bed, less screen time, visualising, ovulation testing, taking temp, less job stress, less stress in general, more stress, not worrying about stress, talking about it, not talking about it. Ugh just reading that list back is exhausting!
None of it made a blind bit of difference but it just felt like I was doing something so in some ways I think it does help you feel more in control.
It can be expensive though and also leads to many people thinking there's a magic cure. Which is heartbreaking when it doesn't work out.
What I also tried as well as 'not trying' before it happened naturally was the ubiquinol supplement. So this may also have helped as there is some encouraging research that it provides your cells (so your eggs) the extra energy required to produce healthy embryosI. I did this purely in preparation for my next ivf which we had planned to look into after a few months of taking a break.
Sorry for the essay above, it's a lot of information but I hope this gives you and others some hope.
All the best x