39, low amh, 3 failed OE rounds - what next…

[HopefulStars]

Hi all, wondered if anyone had similar experience to share, I’m 39 with low amh and had 3 failed NHS rounds of ivf with OE.

I have only had 2 transfers, 1 day 3 and 1 day 5 that had only reached morula stage.

We can’t see our future without children and now need to make a decision whether to try further with OE, or if should be moving to donor egg - would likely use London Egg Bank as although abroad is much cheaper, would want to have donor ID for the child to have an option in the future, thanks

How much testing have you done on your partners sperm (assuming heterosexual!)

Hi @Hatchyhatch alls good with the sperm; the eggs have always fertilised, it’s just the quality is never good, its hard coming to this realisation and not wanting to waste anymore time too x

I only ask because..we are going for DE and before we did the clinic recommended two tests for my husband sperm (all this previous sperm tests had come back so positive, morphology, dna frag etc) we have had the unexplained label. Our embyros always struggled from Day 3 and I internalised and just felt it had to be down to poor egg quality. Anyway he had the two recommended tests (EXTEND) and (FISH) and we’ve uncovered the issue. However- I’m so grateful because we could have done DE and still had the same issues so now we are considering donor sperm…anyway just in case!!

That’s really useful to know, everyday feels like a school day in the world of infertility 🤦‍♀️ which clinic are you using? Was there anything that helped in your decision making re trying again with OE or moving to DE?

It’s been frustrating because had someone else recommended these tests we would not have wasted three rounds on the nhs. The nhs just seem convinced it was my egg quality and I had a lot more testing done which uncovered nothing. I initially went to see Lynne Chapman and she review everything and recommended it. The EXTEND looks at double fragmentation and is much more sophisticated (sometimes known as the comet test) and his sperm is over 80% abnormal and fragmented soo we could have done DE and wasted our money!! We are now thinking rethinking our steps on what to do next really. It is mindfield! Good luck xx

Thank you so much for taking the time to go through all this, wishing you so much luck too xx

I am at the start of DE IVF. I’m 37 and have done 5 OE rounds. First 3 rounds were with LWC and next 2 rounds (incl one cancelled round) were with the Evewell. I only ever had 2 transfers (from the first 2 rounds) and then subsequent rounds got worse and worse!! Both clinics suggested DE after my rounds with them.

I’m now back with my consultant at LWC for DE IVF.

it’s a really tough decision and after 3 rounds we weren’t ready to use DE, so that’s why we went to the Evewell for a second opinion. I even had ovarian PRP with them and tried so many different things. However after rounds with them failed, and their recommendation was also DE, we came around to the idea. Don’t get me wrong, I still have ‘moments’ but I’ve done so much research and there is such a great network out there. Check our Paths to Parenthub. They are fantastic.

I’m just really hoping DE is our answer and that it works….. I naively thought that about IVF….. So I hope it doesn’t end up the same.

reach out if you have any questions on how we got to the decision or if I can help in any way x

@Lozzy000 thanks for your reply and sharing your experiences, which sounds quite similar to my own! We’ve booked a assessment with LWC in July for a second opinion but I feel DE will also be their recommendation - I’m finding any spare moments to research into it and having moments now when could actually feel excited about it (but again also feeling the same way as you re hoping it wouldn’t also go the same way)
Wishing you lots of luck with your DE x