Trying to conceive baby#2 following ivf treatment for #1

[lucieloos]

I thought I would start this thread as I can't see anything similar. We underwent many rounds of icsi and following a couple of bfns, and an ectopic pregnancy we were finally blessed with our beautiful daughter last year.

We recently started thinking about baby no 2 and had 4 frozen embryos of which 2 had been tested and found to be chromosomally normal so are meant to have a better chance. We didnt have the other 2 tested.

A couple of weeks back we had our first fet with one of the tested embryos and got a bfp super early at 4dp5dt. Sadly by 8dpt the line was barely visible and resulted in a chemical pregnancy. I've been feeling really down about it as this was meant to be a super duper embryo with no genetic problems which they said was the main reason embryos fail.

I thought it would be easier trying for #2 and of course it is in a way as I realise how lucky I am to have had a baby but I can feel the infertility fog starting to descend again as I realise although I've had a brief respite I will never be like my fertile friends and I do really want another baby and a sibling for my little girl.

Im feeling a bit negative at the moment. We will probably go back for the other tested embryo in the near future but I can't see how I would ever get lucky enough to get 2 bfps in a row. These things just don't happen to me so just not too hopeful about it at all. We said that if we used all of our frosties with no success we would be happy with what we have but already I am thinking should I do more fresh cycles. I will be 39 soon though so time isn't on my side for that.

Anyway just wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation and would like to share the journey. Please come and say hi.

@NoCupcakesOrCocktails it's the one for 40-42 year olds, can't remember the name.

How is everyone today?

Hi Twinkle, how are you? Time is going very slowly here! How long until you get the results? Is it 2 weeks now?

Hi twinkle 👋 and everyone
I am doing ok thanks. Hope you are holding up for now. Have everything crossed for you 🤞

I got my downreg injection last week so waiting for period and go back for a scan. Then should start on the oestrogen, so hoping for transfer in early June (provided thaw survival).
🤞

2 weeks till I get the results, am so scared 😞

Very anxious time for you @NoCupcakesOrCocktails. Keeping my fingers crossed for you - and all of us! 🤞

Good luck @RunForTheHillock 😊

Hi just wanted to update from my scan. I ended up going in a few hours early as I started bleeding this morning. It's been quite heavy and I've been in a lot of pain with stomach cramps. Anyway amazingly there were 2 strong heartbeats and one baby measuring exactly right and the other 2 days ahead. I've no idea how to feel as I'm still bleeding. They couldn't see any cause of it on the scan so obviously I'm terrified I will miscarry. It's not really sunk in that it's twins yet

Omg OMG omg! Amazing news @NoCupcakesOrCocktails!! Wishing and hoping things go smoothly, you so deserve it xxxxxxx

@NoCupcakesOrCocktails fantastic news. So so happy for you and sending positive vibes your way....

Thanks Twinkle and Run. Have been feeling a bit OMG this morning. With all the drama yesterday I didn't really take in the twins but. I'm trying to not get ahead of myself worrying about how I would manage!

@NoCupcakes - do you mind me asking how old you were when you did the fresh cycle that gave you these Frosties? X

@RunForTheHillock I was 36 when I had that cycle. I got 4 frozen embryos which was a real shock as I had 3 fresh cycles for my DS starting back when I was 31 and had really poor embryos. Out of all those cycles I only got one blastocyst and that was the embryo that became my DS. I never had any good enough to freeze. So somehow I got better quality embryos when I was older

How are things going for you?

@NoCupcakes I think we have quite similar stories...it took 4 fresh cycles to get my DS (at 35) and I have 2 frozen from that cycle which was by far the most successful and it was when I was older.

I am just hoping that one more of my Frosties has the potential to be successful, so hearing about twins gives me hope. We have decided to do SET but I am tempted to put them both back. (In case we have to do another fresh, so we don’t delay too much).

Wishing you all the luck x

Yeah it does sound like we had a similar journey first time around! I was very much convinced on having SET as my consultant was really against a DET but once I got on to the 4th cycle I felt like I needed to up my chances, although he kept telling me it wouldn't increase my chances. I think I was getting frustrated as well as due to various health issues it's taken me 18 months to do one fresh and 3 FETs. I think if you want to do SET then you should have time on your side x

Congratulations on the scan NoCupcakes but sorry to read about the bleeding. Did the doctor give a reason? I've been having weekly spotting and it's really not good for staying sane.

Good luck Run, I hope your period arrives quickly so you can get started.

Less than a week to go Twinkle.. drums fingers

@GenghisKahnSchmitz - I know! I'm so scared and my husband is saying he doesn't want to continue with treatment after this so I'm pinning all my hopes on this little one. Seeing the royal baby being born this week made me want a baby in my arms again so much!

Hope everyone else is doing ok 💐

Keeping everything crossed Twinkle 🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞🤞 not long until you find out now

@GenghisKahnSchmitz sorry to hear about the spotting ☹️ have you had your scan yet?

Thank you @NoCupcakesOrCocktails. I chased Reprofit today and they said they haven't hear anything as yet.

Sorry @GenghisKahnSchmitz I missed the spotting comment, hope all ok??

Argh, come on already! Hopefully you'll hear in the next day or two. DH was also pretty dismissive about doing another round prior to this one. It's very difficult to hear because of course he's entitled to his opinion but I was definitely not ready to stop.

And thanks both, the spotting has happened every Friday without fail, which is really weird. I have had a scan and all was okay, and no reason for the spotting was given but I go back next week for another follow up scan. I hope your bleeding has stopped NoCupcakes?

@twinkledag any news? My DH has always said he's not doing it anymore after every round. I've managed to talk him around so far!

@GenghisKahnSchmitz I've not had any bleeding for 3 days so am really hoping that's it now. I went for my follow up scan today and all was well. So I've been discharged to nhs care. I was so emotional, I was really expecting bad news. Hope you don't get anymore spotting. What happens for you next? I know your not in the Uk so imagine you may have different appointments?

@RunForTheHillock how are you getting on with your cycle?

No news! I'm scared ☹️

That is FANTASTIC news @NoCupcakesOrCocktails! Wishing you all the best for the next 8-9 months! Proper chuffed for ya 😁

Embryo not viable for transfer 😢

What next?

Oh twinkle. Absolutely gutted for you. Could shed a tear myself. Take a little time to think and work out the next steps of your plan.
A huge hug to you x

Wondering if I should try ARGC or am I throwing good money after bad? Just not sure why it's not working for us? Is it my eggs, am I too old? I was 40 in Jan.

Husband has a few sperm issues but nothing major, any ICSI/PICSI is supposed to overcome any issues? We've even been to see a sperm specialist who gave us encouraging news, I just don't know why it's not working when there is nothing really wrong with either of us.

Twinkle I am so sorry. God how fucking unfair. I would take a bit of time and maybe reassess in a few weeks. Have you spoken to anyone with much experience of PGS? I'm just wondering if anyone has had similar experience and gone on to have success. My thoughts are that it could be really bad luck, you didn't have many embryos to test and it was really unfortunate that the one tested wasn't viable. I am so sorry you have gone through all this and will be here to listen if you want to rant or offload xxx

It took us four fresh round to get DS, and we were in exactly the same boat - why is it not working when ICSI should overcome our issues?
I came to the conclusion that it is a numbers game, and it took us a longtime to find that one embryo that had the potential.
I have no idea if we will ever have made/will make another.

There is no doubt that female age will effect the number of “normal” embryos you produce.

Only you can know where/when you want to start again, if at all. I hate those conversations we have to have with our husbands/partners. It’s just all so bloody unfair.
X