Unexplained and failed IVF

[Zest11]

Hi everyone,

Just had a failed fresh IVF and was wondering if any of you have any suggestions on what to do next. We are 31 and 34. I had 10 eggs collected, 8 fertilised, 1 transferred and 4 in the freezer (all day 5/6). We have unexplained infertility so nothing has been picked up. To be honest I thought there would be a problem with egg, sperm, fertilisation or something but that clearly didn't happen. The tranafer was smooth but t just didn't stick. I have had several failed IUIs, at least one natural chemical pregnancy (2-3 weeks the test said) and 2.5+ yrs of trying.

We have 4 in the freezer to transfer but I'm a bit reluctant just to waste them. (We have 1 NHS transfer and everything after that we will have to pay for). My clinic said they won't do anything different until after 3 failed. Are there any other tests I can do (obviously pay for)? I honestly did all the things I was meant to in the last cycle like protein, pineapple, no exercise etc and it just did not stick.

Thanks

What protocol did they give you in terms of blood thinners, steroids and progesterone supplements?

From what I've heart the NHS very rarely change things up until after the 3rd failed round whereas private ones are much more open to trying different things

Privately you could try the scratch or do a mock cycle to see if you need to change the day you do the transfer?

Of course it could also just have been bad luck this time and no reason why the next one might not work x

You could try immunes testing.

If you're worried about wasting embryos, you could transfer to a top private clinic instead and they might be able to suggest stuff. They are light years ahead of the NHS in terms of success rates + you're paying so tests can be done whereas NHS needs to carefully prioritise tests to 'get value for money' do things get done on the cheap and aren't as thorough.

@itwasalovelydreamwhileitlasted thank you for your reply. I didn't have steroids or blood thinners. The progesterone was crinone gel (gross) and I had it once every morning. What does a mock cycle entail? I had a mock transfer and it was decided my cervix would be dilated and that made the transfer very easy. Basically the clinic said they don't do anything until 3 failures and it coukd have just been bad luck. Not convinced!

@JoJoSM2 thank you for your reply. Yes, I wonder if other clinics would be happy for me tomtransfer with my frozen ones. Actually have no idea where to start though. To be fair my clinic's success rates are above average and I was expecting the embryo to at least stick once I found out a good proportion made it to day 5/6. I am going to do the coventry tests...do you know if there's anything else that can be done along those lines?

No personal experience of all the different tests as I had an easy ride wit IVF. I just know that the clinic we used (Zita West) specialises in all the immune things.

Have you been to the website called Fertility Friends? It's a massive fountain of knowledge on there and you should be easily able to find the specific details of all the tests and when they're recommended.

@Zest11 I'm sorry to hear about your failed transfer. I had 2 CPs with top grade embryos and after discussion with the clinic (private treatment) it turns out that embryo grading is quite superficial and even the best looking embryos can still be unviable

As PPs have suggested you could try immunes testing - could you have a consultation with a private clinic to see if they have any suggestions?

Thank you for your replies. @JoJoSM2 and @Wesstywoo I think I am going to get the tests at coventry done. Will that show everything? I can't seem to find anywhere else that just does immunes testing as the clinics like Zita West seem to only do the tests for patients with them and a) I have a few frozen left over and b) I'm not sure which of the clinics to switch to if I switch!

Unfortunately the odds are not in your favour with ivf and even when the cycle goes perfectly, there's no guessing how the result will go.

If your clinic is reputable and have said they wouldn't recommend changing anything for now, then to be honest I would listen to that. The world of fertility treatments is rife with added extra testing and treatments, all at huge cost, but with dubious scientific results to back some of them up.

I too would recommend fertility friends for support and knowledge - the very best of luck to you x

@diaduittoyou thank you. Basically my clinic did just say sometimes it's down to luck (which I find incredibly unhelpful). And yes my clinic have not emphasises all the added extras (even though they do them) because they said there's actually no evidence. It's so frustrating. I thought at the very least if IVF fails, I'd have some answers, but no! Thank you for your wellwishes. Maybe I will try that fertilityfriends site.

It’s impossible to check for everything as medicine isn’t perfect and not everything has been discovered.

In terms of changing clinics, you could just have the embryos transferred and have a frozen transfer in another clinic if you chose to. Your best bets would be Zita West or ARGC. ZW is a small, friendly clinic with a relaxed, supportive vibe and a holistic approach. ARGC is a bit of a conveyor belt but they do everything with military precision. The amount of testing racks up big bills but they are very effective.