Age 40, extremely low AMH, 17 weeks pregnant after failed IVF and failed Clomid. Here's what I did...

[countrymumkin1]

I wanted to start this discussion as I wondered if sharing my experience might help others.

I had been TTC for about 3 years, I had unexplained infertility, my husband's sperm is fine. In a nutshell, we did 4 cycles of clomid and 2 IVFs on the NHS. I found out I had an extremely low AMH (off the scale, it couldn't be measured) on the first IVF. I produced one solitary egg, although it did fertilise to a top grade embryo, it didn't implant. The second IVF was 100% better. Yep, I had the grand total of 2 eggs. This time nothing fertilised. A few days later I found out from a blood test I had in between IVFs that I hadn't ovulated. The fertility clinic told me my only opportunity was donor eggs. Whilst I told them I wanted to keep trying on my own (after all IVF cycle 1 was no different from a good normal cycle - if I could get my body to ovulate), they looked at me as if I was setting myself up for even more heart-ache. I felt grief like I have never known!

On my second IVF, I was already reading about alternative therapies and had started accupuncture to complement the IVF. After that failed and I did more internet research I read 3 books:

1. Inconceivable by Julia Indichova (a good positive story of a 40-something woman getting pregnant after being told she couldn't get pregnant naturally due to FSH levels. Talks about all the things she tried)
2. Making Babies - proven 3 month programme for maximum fertility by Sami David & Jill Blakeaway (lots about diet and chinese medicine)
3. The Infertility Cure by Randine Lewis (an excellent, thorough guide to understanding Chinese Medicine and acupuncture for the patient)

I then started Traditional Chinese Herbs, at a clinic in Norfolk. He is an excellent Chinese Medicine doctor (trained in China), but I understand there is a guru in London if anyone is down south. She is much more expensive though (but it would probably work out considerably cheaper than IVF even so). I just went to the one in Norfolk because he was near me.

So, in a nutshell, I got pregnant using Chinese herbs, acupuncture and a change in diet to complement the Chinese diagnosis + I also started to take Royal Jelly capsules. In all, I was pregnant within 2 months of starting this. I was over the moon to see the smiley face on the Ovulation Predictor Kit, didn't think that egg would end up being the baby that is now inside me.

So, fingers crossed all ends up ok. I won't be comforted until the baby is in my arms and it has been a bit rocky so far anyway, but we're doing ok right now.

Happy to talk more about this on this board if anybody would like to.

Best wishes to everyone.

I thought I would share my story too. I am 40 and was TTC for 2 years, had my AMH tested and it was less than 4, so was told my only hope was IVF. As I was approaching 40 I was only given 1 round of IVF on the NHS, which failed. I only got 1 egg, but it fertilised and made it to blastocyst, but didn't implant. Even though it was such a poor result we decided to do one more IVF and pay for it privately but before we could go ahead with it I was pregnant the following month naturally. I couldn't believe it. I hope this gives hope to others. I don't know if the IVF stimulated my fertility or if it was just chance, but whatever the reason we couldn't be more happy. I am now 18 weeks pregnant

Hi, I have recently conceived. Age 37. Faced low AMH condition, moved on to Chinese medicines, which seem to have worked. My Chinese doctor is advising for me to continue with some other Chinese medication for three more months (saying it would help in better implantation and blood flow). My gynecologist (allopath) is not sure though, and has asked me to decide whether to not to continue with Chinese medicines during pregnancy. She obviously has no qualification or experience of Chinese medicines.

Has any member here, who has conceived after Chinese medication, continued the Chinese medicines during pregnancy? Just wish to hear your experiences, as there is no certainty anyway that your and my Chinese medicines would be the same.

Really pleased to see some of the lovely stories on here, but just wanted to express a word of caution about Chinese medicine during/after fertility treatment- my clinic has made a point of mentioning the increase of people using herbs and medicines during treatment that can often react badly with stimms and have unintended consequences. I accept that there's a lot we don't know about potential benefits but it seems there can be risks involved too.

This is absolutely bollocks and posting it in an infertility board is just cruel.

PurpleDaisies. Well said, I think (I'm assuming you mean the Chinese herbs etc is all you need or joan66 post ... is bollocks rather than pinkheels wise and somewhat more balanced post).

You missed a corker from joan66 earlgreyt. Guaranteed babies in three weeks with special herbs. As if it was that easy.

It makes me so angry because people like that must know how horrible it is wanting to be pregnant and not being and just try and take advantage.

PurpleDaisies Oh brilliant where do I sign up?! If it was that easy, why have I bothered fannying around with IVF and wasting £1000s on that when 3 weeks of Chinese herbs would have sorted me out a treat?! Honestly, (putting it as politely as I can) what fucking bollocks.

@countrymumkin1 -This is very inspiring Im in a very similar situation as yours.