Poor fertilisation result with ivf. No embryos

[Raspberryjam]

Just had a fresh cycle of ivf ,TTC 2nd child ,with 8 eggs retrieved on Thursday. Our DD is nearly 4 now (ivf success). I'm now nearly 41 and AMH level average for age. This is our first fresh cycle for 4 years (failed frozen cycle 1 year ago)
Unfortunately none of eggs fertilised normally and no embryos to implant (was the one scenario hadn't imagined) Embryologist today said likely to recommend ICSI in the new year.
I know am very lucky to have DD. Feeling a bit low although I know was very unlikely to be successful at first attempt. Wondering if there is something more fundamental wrong with eggs/ sperm, although nothing was found. Any advice appreciated.

raspberry - really sorry for that outcome for you. I had same on my second cycle of icsi and it came as a massive shock and a huge disappointment. On my second cycle the eggs were poor quality so there were no embryos to implant. I didn't however have that issue on any of my other cycles (different issues each time - sods law!). What little advice I have is:

-I would definitely go for icsi next time however if there is an egg issue then unfortunately icsi won't address that (but they can at least select the best sperm)
-there is not a lot you can do to impact on egg quality sadly - you will come across people saying "I did x/ate x" etc however as my history shows egg quality can come and go it seems.

-you could go on the waiting list for donor eggs - clinics vary with waiting lists so you may need to change clinics or consider going abroad.

I think you do have some options e.g egg donation, if the egg quality remains an issue but appreciate it may seem quite drastic.

good luck whatever you decide

(((Hugs)))

This happened to us, we had a chemical pregancy on our first IVF - (lots of embryos - all grade 2/1), 2nd IVF - 13 eggs none fertilised no reason, eggs looked ok, sperm looked ok. Advised ICSI for next one. ICSI worked - DS now 9 ......

Was told that it was just bloody bad luck, queried why they never had mentioned this even happening and was told ot my clinic it only happens to 1-2 attempts each year. It was awful I felt worse than when it failed, cheated ....

thanks givemeaclue,
Hoping it was just a chance occurence as ist cycle of ivf 5 years ago worked first time and I know we were extremely lucky. Perhaps age may be a factor now - the embryologist said yesterday all eggs looked good and sperm looked good - although may have been others factors that were not visible. I was prepared for not working first time of course, but surprised at lack of any embryos to use.
Hope you don't mind me asking, have you had any more attempts since then?

That is wonderful news that your ICSI cycle worked notapizzaeater. It gives me some hope.............. How many eggs did they inject at ICSI?
I know what you mean that you feel cheated, although I am trying to focus on the fact we are incredibly lucky to have our DD. I think you described how I am feeling since it doesn't seem to happen very often. Here's hoping it was just a chance happening this time.

I had 11 eggs at ICSI, 8 fertilised, 3 put back (none to freeze) all grade 1/2

That is great and encourages me to have another go in the new year.

Trying for my second DC, I had several cycles of few eggs, none fertilized, or one or two fertilized and then stopped...the specialists at my clinic started to look at us as though we were mad to keep trying but no one actively told us to stop. Like you our first child was conceived on only our second cycle - even then she was one embryo from three eggs (low numbers always plagued me) so when we approached a clinic re No. 2 we were considered great candidates to start off with despite my low numbers. I fell pregnant on cycle 12 this time - the one I had pledged would be my last. My baby is due next week. If you have the stomach to persist despite apparently crap eggs, it can be worth it in the end, or it could just break your heart trying. A friend of mine sent her embryos off for PGD after getting nowhere for a year and none of them were normal so she gave up.
I don't even know whether this post is helpful to be honest, because I am always ambivalent about telling people to keep trying despite warning signs. I did and it paid off, but it might not have. I am 44 by the way.