Pgs normal embryo failed to implant and trying hard not to feel hopeless

[Hodgewell1]

I’ve been holding it all together pretty well through ivf treatment so far but right now I am despairing. My first egg retrieval process went well and out of it I had 3 pgs normal embryos which I am so grateful for. The first FET failed last month and I’m not feeling hopeful for the next one. My clinic tested for clotting factors which came back negative although I have the MTHFR gene. My clinic don’t test for immunes but treat empirically and will use steroids if my second FET fails. Motherhood feels eternally out of reach. Testing and ivf has taken over 18 months after a few years of ttc and I’m approaching 39. The rest of my life is on hold (job moves and house moves) as the priority for us is trying to become parents. Any suggestions for how to bear the strain?

@Hodgewell1 I feel you. I found out that our first cycle failed on New Years Day and was devastated. I spent most of January as a shell of myself in a state of total despair. All I can say is that time will help, and going into my second cycle now I feel in a much better place than I ever thought I could be.
What's also helped me is that I've been doing hypnotherapy. It's been amazing. If you're in the south west I can recommend you my therapist.
It's shit though, you're not alone x

Thanks jemimafuddleduck. I’m just north of London but I will book some hypnotherapy sessions. I tried some to help get over a needle phobia which was pretty important for the ivf. Good luck for your next transfer and thank you for the suggestion.

Did you have any succes? I have had 7 miscarriages and got 3 pgs euploid embryos but after 2 seperate fet both have fsiled and only one left.... not sure what to do.

Hi Unicorn9. My heart goes out to you. Ivf can be heartbreaking but I will share some hopefully constructive thoughts below. I did manage to conceive and have a baby. I am so grateful and I hope you get the best outcome too.

Firstly I think with your final embryo I would recommend a second opinion or at least a change to your protocol with perhaps some additional testing if appropriate. If you can afford it I went to see Geoffrey Trew. He never over sold treatments and treated me respectfully when we discussed how to deal with my implantation failure. For example he didn’t recommend an ERA as at the time the research was casting doubt on its reliability. We also discussed immune protocols objectively and all my extra testing was proportionate. I felt listened to and respected.

In terms of reading - It starts with the Egg is the one book I recommend. Backed by science and I focussed on getting the right supplement mix.

There is a recurrent miscarriage clinic that my doctor thought highly of run by Prof Quenby. I researched into her and planned to go if a further cycle failed. Here is a link: www.uhcw.nhs.uk/our-services-and-people/our-people/ms-siobhan-quenby/

With euploid embryos the issue can be the mitochondria (I think of them as little motors) or implantation issues so it is worth exploring both things.

With my doctor (Geoffrey Trew) we discussed some of the challenges in introducing immune testing when it is still such new science and the results can be difficult to interpret. His solution was with my next cycle we would try a lighter touch immune protocol. One of Mr Trew’s ex colleagues from the Hammersmith hospital returned to Australia and created a protocol which does this and which we had planned to follow in the next cycle. Here are details: drgavinsacks.com.au/services/the-bondi-protocol/

Finally, these are the resources I used to keep positive: the Big Fat Negative podcast. It made me feel I wasn’t alone and really helped. I would also check out the support packages from Alice Rose. I spent about £10 on her meditations. I think she is a pioneer in the area of supporting people through ivf. Lots to read if you don’t want to spend any more money: www.thisisalicerose.com/

Lastly, if you ever need anything more, please do feel free to message me directly.

I hope your next transfer will be a very different experience

Sorry here is a better link to the recurrent miscarriage clinic: warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/med/research/biomedical/tem/bru/

Hi @Hodgewell1 congrats on your baby’

Could you share the protocol you did that worked? I know we are all different but just for info.

Hi ForeverAintEnough12 I will PM you the details

Thank you so much

@Hodgewell1 Congratulations on your baby, I was hoping you would update this thread with good news!

I’m in a similar situation, had 1 PGS normal fail. I have 1 more euploid embryo left which I’ll transfer next month. My Dr has added Lubion progesterone injections, Clexane and Prednisone for this FET. Was there anything else you took please? I’ve not had immune testing, Dr has just taken these steps as I’ve only got 1 euploid embryo left out of a 3 cycle package and am 42 so might be hard to find more.

Hi @IslandStars
Think we are on another thread together:). I did clexane, prolutex, prednisolone, utrogestan and intralipids the last cycle. I will probably do the same but will do an ERA before and maybe an aquascan as it is out oast embryo. Not sure what else to try tbh....

Thanks @Unicorn9 yes I remember Really hope we can be successful this time. I’m not having intralipids, Dr didn’t mention them, probably because i’ve only had one failure so far, albeit a PGS normal one. Never had a BFP so no miscarriages.

I had an endometrial scratch on my successful cycle and it was a non medicated cycle. I also had a round of antibiotics for an unrelated infection. I swapped to vitamins with folate rather than artificial folic acid as I have the mthfr gene which means I can’t process folic acid. I found this out through the thrombophilia screening I did. The plan was to move onto an immune protocol for the next transfer so I don’t have much experience of those.

Thanks @Hodgewell1 interesting you had a non medicated cycle. I've just recently finished some antibiotics for something unrelated, so am hoping they may also help with FET in general in terms of clearing any infection from the body.